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Where do we start?
What is the initial
interview about?
How do we select a builder
with so many to choose from?
What makes for a good building
site?
How do we pick out a home plan?
How do we decide what types
of materials to use in our home?
What responsibilities
do we have during the construction process?
What if we want to make
changes during the construction process?
Isn't it cheaper to build our
own home vs. hiring a builder?
Where do we start?
Building a home can be a complicated process. The
first place to start is with a reputable and
professional custom home builder. Not all builders
are created equal. Many home builders build
primarily "spec" homes. In other words, they are not
experienced in building custom homes and the unique
challenges they can pose. We strongly suggest
a custom home
builder whose primary focus is custom new homes.
Your builders expertise in building custom homes
will provide you with the expert guidance you will
need throughout the building process. A good
custom home builder will be with you from the
initial interview through the years of home ownership
that follow. A good builder will want you to be happy with your new home
for years to come!
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What is the initial interview about?
A good custom home builder will likely have an initial interview with all of
their
potential clients. It is important for them to meet
you and for you to get to know them. This meeting
will allow you to start and sort through the many
options that are available in building a home. In
addition, it will help to give you a better
understanding of your needs, wants and budget. This
initial interview will also allow you to review your
compatibility with the builder. Quality
builders work best with clients who are
concerned with high quality, expert craftsmanship
and attention to detail. Over the years of building,
a high quality builder has likely built a reputation for expert craftsmanship
and superior quality. They will not likely be comfortable
building a home that would impair the reputation
they
have worked hard to build.
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How do we select what builder to use
with so many to choose from?
When hiring a builder it is important to remember
you are buying a service - not just a product. The
quality of service the builder provides will
determine the quality of the finished product and
your satisfaction with it. Here are 10 thoughts to
consider when choosing a builder:
- Are they honest and trustworthy?
- Are they quality oriented and do they offer a warranty?
- Are they a good listener and will they accept changes?
- Do they build custom homes or are they just a home builder?
- Can they supply me with multiple references?
- How long have they done this?
- What is their reputation in the building industry?
- Are they a member of the HBA (Home Builders
Association) and do they abide by their standards?
- Have they built different home styles or are they cookie cutter builders?
- Can they offer ideas and guidance throughout the entire building process?
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What makes for a good building site?
As with houses, building sites can come in all kinds
of shapes and sizes. A good building site is the key
to starting the building process on the right foot.
The type of home you are building can also make a
difference in your building site needs. Some homes
will fit and work well on some lots, and other homes
may not necessarily work well on certain lots.
Working with a knowledgeable builder can
make a big difference. Before you even purchase your
lot you should have your builder inspect it with you to insure that the
piece of land you are buying will work for your
individual project.
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How do we pick out
a home plan?
Most clients will typically have an idea of what they want
in their new home. A good builder will sit down with
you and interview you about your needs, wants and
budget. Then they can help you select a plan that will
work according to your lifestyle and budget.
Many builders will also have plans you can choose from or
they can work with you to develop a
custom plan for you based on your needs, wants and
budget. They will work closely with you to insure your
new home is comfortable with style and function.
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How do we decide
what types of materials to use in our home?
A number of factors can go into selecting the
materials that are used on both the inside and
outside of your new home. Part of the interview
process is to determine your needs and lifestyle. A
young family may choose different options compared
to a mature couple without children. In addition,
your budget can also have an impact in the materials
that are used in the construction of your home. This
is why the initial interview process is extremely
important. You don't want to leave anything to
chance. You and your builder will want to make sure that the options that
you select together are going to make your home
comfortable with style and function.
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What
responsibilities do we have during the construction
process?
Throughout the construction process there are
decisions that will need to be made. Your
builder's
expertise in custom home construction, from time to
time may lead them to offer suggestions for improvements to
your home. These decisions are always left for you
to decide. As the client, you always have the final
say as to what happens with your new home.
Throughout the process, your builder will be in touch with you to
insure your satisfaction with the building process
and to assist you with the decisions that will need
to be made as your home is being built.
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What if we want to
make changes during the construction project?
Changes are never a problem and are a common
occurrence with custom home construction.
If your changes result in a decrease in square
footage, change in the home type (two story to a
ranch, etc.) or some type of change that results in
the value of your new home decreasing, you will need
to notify the bank immediately. This can be a
problem.
Because good builders
don't build "cookie cutter" homes, we expect that
things may change during construction. Even though
your builder may do a detailed review of your floor plan prior to
starting construction, once they are in the field
they
may even suggest minor changes and modifications
that will improve the functionality of your new
home. They will encourage and welcome your feedback and
thoughts as to things you may want to change while
your home is being built. Changes can result in
additional costs, or a decrease in costs depending on
what the change is. Unless you have allowed
funds in your construction loan for cost overruns,
be prepared to pay for these changes in cash at the
time you request the change.
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Isn't it cheaper
to build our own home vs. hiring a builder?
The truth of the matter is it is probably not
cheaper but more expensive. Your builder can
normally get better
prices from subcontractors than what you could. In
addition, a subcontractor will do more for your
builder than
what they would for you given the nature of their
business and their relationship with the home
builder.
One exception to this rule is the use of a
professional service that will assist you with
building your home. Often times, they are able
to leverage their relationships with subcontractors
to save you money. The trade off is their
services don't come for free. We have
successfully completed a number of these projects
through the West Michigan Office of U Build It.
You will want to carefully review all of your
options. In most cases, we suggest you do not
act as your own general contractor unless you have
hired a professional service (such as U Build It) to help you do so.
We prefer that you work with a licensed professional
home builder or a professional service that will
assist you. We will allow you to general
contract your own home without professional
assistance. However, be prepared for more than
what you bargained for.
So what really did you save on your home if you
build it yourself? Do your homework before you
decide to build your own home by asking yourself the
following questions:
- Do I have the time to learn the home building business?
- Do I have the time to find and screen subcontractors?
- Am I willing to take risk on my home by cutting corners and learning as I go?
- Am I aware that Realtors have a very difficult time selling owner-built homes?
- Do I know that building inspectors have a real concern for homes being built by owner?
- Do I realize that I am the one responsible for all the warranty work on my home?
- Do I have sufficient resources to see the job through to completion?
- Are you qualified to get owner-builder financing?
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Do you still have questions about construction loans? If so,
click here for answers
to common questions about construction loans. If your answer
is not found in either of these sections, we will be happy to
answer any questions you may have. Please
contact us for more
information. |
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