How to Choose the Right Contractor for Your New House
Building a new house is an exciting and also nerve-wracking experience. Choosing the right contractor removes a lot of the anxiety and needs to be of utmost importance.
How do you choose the best one?
First, we'll start with how to source them. Then, we'll go through everything from running a background check to availability to ensuring the communication expectations are met.
Ask Friends and Family
Word-of-mouth is still one of the most effective ways of marketing, so ask those who have already had the experience. For example, family or friends who have recently had a home built would be your first point of call.
Be sensible here. A contractor who may have renovated a 1-bedder or added an outdoor area may have a different experience than building an entire home, so compare like for like. Also, anyone recommending a family member may be biased or receive a commission, so tread carefully.
If a new home has recently been built in the neighborhood, ask them who they used. This action would be highly beneficial if the house matches the style of the one you'd like to build.
Get Multiple Quotes
Shop around as much as possible. Try to ask for each quote to be broken down into labor and materials, at the least. Fixed price quotes are difficult to compare and almost impossible to negotiate.
Cheapest doesn't always mean best, and over-priced suggests greed. Something in the middle might be the best choice. Ensure there's room to move to allow for changes from either side.
Do Background Checks
Don't just take their word that they're licensed, registered, and insured. Do due diligence and confirm all of this. The Better Business Bureau is an excellent place to confirm licensing and registration. Directly ask them to see their builder's insurance policy.
Next, go deeper. Use a free people search tool to run a background check. This check may highlight anything incorrect about the information they've provided.
Confirm Their Availability
If they're in demand, they may not be available at the time when they're most needed. Confirm they are free, allowing for delays at the end of their current project, if any.
Also, have an understanding that they don't need to wrap it up urgently to begin their next project. This action could result in them taking shortcuts which can end up costing you later.
A factor in the availability is that there is room to extend due to unforeseen delays. For example, weather patterns, suppliers running out of materials, or workers falling ill could see the project dates needing to be extended.
Chemistry Between Them and You
Consider this. This relationship could last for the better part of a year. The chemistry between you and the contractor must be a factor in the decision. Are you comfortable with them, and is there a level of trust?
How do they communicate? This could pose an issue if they take a long time to reply or prefer email over phone calls or text messages. However, the more communicative they are and the speed at which they reply signifies how well you'll get along.
The Right Contractor for the Perfect Home
Building the perfect home may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don't let it be ruined by choosing the wrong contractor.
Ask around friends, family, or neighbors for recommendations. Then, get multiple quotes to compare the prices and prepare the budget.
Do checks on them, and confirm what they've told you are correct and above board. Then, ensure they're available for the project's duration, allowing for delays.
The final check is to ensure the chemistry is right. If communication is going to be an issue, the whole project could be jeopardized.
Choose the contractor wisely, and the home of your dreams will be a reality.
