Over the last few years, the construction industry has grown substantially. According to precise calculations, it will expand by a further 3% over the coming three years. This has led to an increased number of home-builders available.
While this means greater variety, it also translates to more challenging choices for the consumer. Cut-throat competition and active marketing by these firms result in perplexed customers. In such a condition, the customer must know how to choose a home builder for their all-important investment.
Here are the top ten things that must be considered while signing a contract with a home building firm.
1. Experience
Practice makes perfect. Builders with a comprehensive portfolio of completed projects are most likely well-versed in their job. Home building is not an easy job by any means. During the process, contingencies might occur, permit delays, extreme weather conditions, draining issues, etc. It is likely that an experienced builder has been through identical or similar conditions before and could steer out of it quickly.
An experienced builder could also advise customers who’re unacquainted with the basics of construction. With years of experience, seasoned constructors would know the depths of home-building and will be able to give the best guidance.
Besides the technicalities, better customer dealing also comes with experience. Unlike many newbies, experienced builders surely know how to deal with their clientele. This can lead to a seamless experience.
2. Builders’ Documents
With a shift towards digitalization, there has been a severe rise in fraud. The construction industry is no exception. Numerous consumers have complained about how some builders turn out to be scams once the contracts have been signed.
It is vital to verify the legitimacy of a builder. To do so, one must ask for documentation such as their license and insurance. The same needs to be done for the contractors working on the project. This ensures the builder won’t run away with the client’s money.
In addition to being a legitimacy check, checking the license of the builder and related parties is essential. Failing to do so voids the contract between the builder and the client and could give rise to legal charges against both parties. Therefore one must look for these documents upfront.
3. Reviews
Regardless of how experienced a builder is, looking for reviews about them is always pragmatic. The task might have been tedious back in the day. With communities now being connected over social media, this has become simple.
A mere search on Facebook or Instagram to see the types of projects a builder participates and finishes is very simple and important. You can easily see that the builder will show whether the previous clients were satisfied. Interacting with followers and clients could give further insights into the professionalism and work ethic of the builder. This could help decide whether the customer should continue with this builder.
4. Third-Party Inspection
Although reviews on social media are likely to show a clear picture, getting fake likes and reviews is common too. Scammers are now aware of the effects that social media reviews have on a customer’s decision. They manipulate the systems and generate fake reviews, inducing the customer to think they’re genuine.
Therefore, more than mere reliance on social media might be required. The customer must ask the builder if they allow independent examination of the site during the construction. Getting experts to review the task would be a good idea if the builder agrees.
5. Warranties
Many consumers get carried away by the captivating designs that builders offer. In search of a good outlook, they tend to ignore longevity. Spending on the house, again and again, can be frustrating. Therefore, looking for a builder who offers a warranty is desirable.
Service and warranty agreements can include jargon and technicalities incomprehensible by a non-specialist. Therefore, involving an expert – such as an agent or a lawyer – in the process is vital. An extended warranty covering different aspects would be the optimum choice but can be negotiated depending on the task.
6. Offered Designs
While the consumers look at technicalities, completely overlooking the aesthetics is not sensible either. Getting satisfied with the design and the outlook is fundamental too.
Many builders would show a portfolio of the types of houses they’ve built in the past. Additionally, they might show what other designs they have on offer. A greater variety in this department is always a plus.
Moreover, deciding if the builder would customize the architecture to the client’s needs is also necessary. Many consumers like to give their homes a personalized touch. On the other hand, builders are more interested in standardized maps as they are less time-consuming. Clarity needs to be taken beforehand to avoid any mishappenings later on.
7. Materials
A wise investor would always look at the long-term prospects of the investment opportunity before putting any money into it. The same attitude must be followed by a client finding a home builder.
The quality of the materials used in construction affects the life of a home. Poor-quality cement, bricks, and other raw materials would significantly reduce the lifespan of an establishment. The client would also have to go through the hassle of paying a hefty amount in terms of repairs later on.
To avoid such inconvenience, individuals finding home builders should inspect the materials that are going to be used. Like the warranty and service contracts, a layperson may need help distinguishing between high-quality and substandard materials. Getting the service of an expert to ensure the best materials are used in the construction would be appropriate.
8. Resale Value
An attentive consumer would always perform in-depth scrutiny of potential home builders before they choose one. One of the most suitable ways to check the efficiency of the work done by a builder is by checking its resale value.
Real estate agents can approximate the resale values of a particular home. The higher the asking rate for a home, the better it has been constructed. It is best to avoid home builders whose projects’ value has diminished over the years. This decrease could’ve been because of substandard materials and outdated designs. Therefore, resale value is a good indicator of the builder’s efficiency.
9. Budget
Budgeting is the first thing a customer needs to do when finding a home builder. Builders charge varying amounts from their clients based on how complicated the task is. For someone who is searching for how to find a home builder, they need to determine how much they’re willing to pay.
Indeed, a premium price needs to be paid for a premium service. But there are budget options available as well. Therefore, when one begins to search for a home builder, one must set out their finances and plan accordingly.
10. Customer’s requirements
Expecting the home builder to do wonders without providing clear instructions is absurd. The customers must give themselves sufficient time to jot down their requirements. It is best if they’re in black and white. Everything, from the design to the budget, must be discussed with the home builder.
Once everything has been decided, the customer can narrow their search by eliminating builders who do not comply with their demands.
In addition to that, effective communication with the home builder is also integral. Mishaps could occur if the customer is unable to communicate their demands properly.
Choosing the right home builder for a project is not a simple task. It requires a proper, tiring effort to get to the right one. However, this effort is truly worth it since one cannot afford to build a home with which they are unsatisfied. Scrutinizing a builder against this criteria would most probably lead to the perfect home builder.
