| iv id="body"> | | | | Above all, make sure that your builder agrees in |
| If you have not been able to find the perfect house | | | | writing to the weekly meeting in your contract. |
| on the market and you decide to build on a vacant | | | | Visit the builder's other working job sites to make |
| lot, you'll be faced with a very important decision - | | | | sure that they run a tight ship. Specifically, look to |
| choosing a builder. Your builder is someone you are | | | | see if unused materials are organized and protected |
| going to have an ongoing relationship with for about | | | | from the weather. Make sure that there is some |
| 12 months. There will be some bumps in the road as | | | | evidence of a temporary workspace to review plans. |
| the process unfolds; and you must have an open and | | | | Insure that garbage and construction waste is |
| frequent line of communication and share a common | | | | routinely removed from the job site. Also, investigate |
| goal and vision that goes beyond the blueprints for | | | | to make certain that work begins and ends each day |
| your new home. Start your search by asking your | | | | on a regular schedule - same time, every day. |
| real estate agent for a few referrals. He or she will | | | | Make it clear to your builder that you expect |
| have local knowledge about area contractors, their | | | | progress every day of every week. Your money is |
| reputation and the quality of their work. Once you | | | | being used to build a house that you cannot move |
| have some direction, here are a few basic tips to | | | | into until it is completed. A day of inactivity at the |
| help choose a builder and keep your project on track: | | | | site costs you money and you deserve progress in |
| Get references - and don't hire a builder until you | | | | exchange for that money. |
| have visited 2 or 3 other houses completed by the | | | | Don't expect your builder to have a crystal ball. Do |
| builder. Ideally, get the address of every house the | | | | expect some minor deviations from what is planned. |
| builder has built in the last 2 or 3 years and contact | | | | You will have fewer surprises cost-wise if you take |
| several of the owners randomly. Don't expect a | | | | the time to make sure that every possible item is |
| perfect report card. Building a house is tough business | | | | included in the construction price. Before making a |
| and it is almost impossible to make a homeowner | | | | commitment to use any builder, make sure you have |
| happy at every turn. Ask what each owner might | | | | a comprehensive list of what is included in the price |
| have done differently if they could build the house all | | | | and what is not included in the price. If you add |
| over again. | | | | something extra in mid-stream, that will result in |
| Pick a day and time to meet with your contractor | | | | additional time and expense to the builder. Don't |
| each week and in person. Don't ever miss this | | | | expect changes for free. |
| meeting - it will keep the project on track, keep | | | | Building a house can be a great experience. Chances |
| costs and changes to a minimum and establish a | | | | are, if you take this advice, you will move into your |
| great working relationship. Make sure that all "change | | | | new house on time, within budget and as a happy |
| orders" are reviewed and signed during the meeting. | | | | customer. The builder will be happier at the end also. |