5 Important Questions To Ask Your Home Builder

Building a new home can be an exciting and stressful time. There is so much to plan for your future, you want to make sure that you are working with the best team. Your building contractor will head your project so hiring someone that you can trust and communicate with is essential to a good build.

When you are looking to hire a building contractor you want to know that you are working with the best. Always do your due diligence when it comes to hiring any builders to work on such a complex project. Experienced contractors know that anything can happen during a build and will work with you to set realistic expectations and deadlines.

Even when you are dealing with a highly reputable contractor like the pros at Excel Builders, it’s still important to do your homework. You don’t want to end up working with a contractor that is not experienced enough to handle a project as important as building your home. Here are 5 important questions to ask your home builder before you start your project.

5 Important Questions To Ask Your Home Builder

1. Business History

You always want to work with a team that has a lot of experience. Builders that have been in the business for many years have dealt with a variety of projects and excel at project management.

Find out how many years they have been working and the experience level of the rest of the team. It’s important to know that all of the workers on your project are properly trained and know what they are doing. Even the most qualified teams can struggle if they are new to the field. A crew that has been working together for a long time knows how to coordinate their efforts for a smooth project.

Ask to see a professional portfolio showcasing some of their past projects. Contractors that have worked on a variety of projects and designs may have more to bring to your project through their experience. There are so many details that go into a home build that it’s important to find someone who knows how to keep you in the loop and deal with the logistics.

2. Are They Licensed and Insured?

Never start a project with a contractor until you are satisfied that their company is properly licensed and insured. If anything goes wrong on your project you could end up holding a hefty bill if you have worked with an unlicensed builder. Your contractor should hold proper insurance to help protect you and their employees during your project.

It’s appropriate to request copies of your builder’s insurance before you start your project. Don’t make the mistake of getting into a build without all the right insurance evidence in your hand. You can also ask for a copy of the builder’s license. If your contractor is dragging their heels getting you the right documentation, you might want to think twice about signing any project contract.

It’s also a good idea to get copies of any permits that have been filed for your home build. Never take the word of your contractor that all the right paperwork has been filed with your county. If your builder is bringing in subcontractors you should ask for their licenses and permits as well to make sure you are covered.

3. How Do They Handle Updates?

The process of building a home is never easy or straightforward. There are often changes in plans, budget, and timeline that your contractor will need to accommodate. Talk to your prospective builder about how they handle project management when things get off course.

Ask them for examples of how they have handled past situations to get a feel of how they manage project changes. It’s important to find someone who you feel confident can take charge of your build. Building a home can be stressful and last-minute changes can cause issues. You want to have a team leader that can handle changes without a problem.

When choosing your contractor it’s important to trust your gut. Meet with your team leader in person to get a feel for how you communicate. If you feel uneasy about anything or find that you are chasing them to discuss your project it might be a sign that it isn’t a good match for your project.

4. Do They Use Subcontractors?

This is a very important subject to cover with your builder. When a builder uses other teams to come in and work on the project, the logistics can become overwhelming. Find out from your builder who his subcontractors are and if he can give you references and licensing information for each vendor.

Make sure to keep a close eye on billing when subcontractors are brought in for your home build. Keep a lookout for double charges or costs that seem inflated and discuss any suspicious charges with your builder right away.

5. References

The reference process should start when you are first narrowing a list of possible contractors. Make a visit to each builder’s website to get a better feel for their work and style and to check the customer reviews. Pay attention to the real-life testimony of clients that have used the contractor in the past. You may be able to get some valuable recommendations or warnings.

Once you have moved on to the interviewing stage, you should ask each candidate for a list of at least three references. Once you have your listings, it’s important to actually check all names given.

It’s even acceptable to talk personally to some of the contractor’s past clients. These are the people who can truly tell you about what it’s like to work with that contractor. Your home build will be a long and complex process and you need to trust that your builder will do the best job for you and your family.

Conclusion

Finding a building contractor for your home can be an intimidating and stressful chore. Always keep in mind 5 important questions to ask your home builder before you start your project. Do your homework, get recommendations and references, and choose a builder that you feel comfortable working with.