Typical homes in the United States now cost $334,000. In some cases, it makes more sense to build custom houses than look for ones on the market. Finding the best custom home builder can seem difficult at first, though.
There are certain questions you need to ask your new home builder in Mount Pleasant SC so you can get the best results. Here are 10 questions should ask your home builder.
1. How Experienced Are You?
This is an attribute you can never overlook. The more experience they have in the industry, the better they can help you reach your goals.
Working on a large number of projects will help them overcome issues that inexperienced developers couldn’t handle. It’s worth noting that companies without a large amount of experience won’t always provide poor results. However, they won’t be as likely to reach your goals. So, you’ll be taking a risk by hiring them.
2. Can I See Your Portfolio?
They should have an easily accessible portfolio full of their best projects. This will provide valuable insight into the type of results you will get. When looking through portfolios, it’s important to consider quality over quantity.
Some developers attempt to compensate for lackluster quality by including a large number of projects. It’s much better to choose a developer that has a smaller number of outstanding projects.
3. Is My Idea Practical?
Bringing a custom home to life is an amazing experience. However, the vision people have for their custom homes isn’t always practical. There are some cases where ideas simply won’t work.
It’s important to find a builder that understands whether or not you should pursue their ideas. The last thing you want is to get a result you didn’t expect and be disappointed with it.
In a case like this, the builder might even argue that they followed your instructions and place the blame on you. Instead, they should have no qualms about criticizing your idea and working with you until it becomes something practical.
4. What Is the Best Site?
No matter how good your idea is, you need to find the appropriate build site.
It’s in your best interest to choose a firm that can help you do so. They often have the industry connections and knowledge to find the perfect place for your new custom house. Otherwise, you’ll need to handle this obligation yourself and may encounter issues along the way.
5. What Is My Warranty Period?
This is crucial information to consider.
In the event that something breaks or malfunctions after you move in, you’ll need to know what’s covered by your warranty. Reputable builders will have comprehensive warranties that cover many of the issues new homeowners may encounter. For example, if you find that there’s an issue with the wiring in your new home, your builder can take care of that.
6. How Will We Communicate?
Staying in touch with your builder is crucial. After all, it’s not uncommon for custom home projects to take over a year to complete. The last thing you want this to be left in the dark during the process. The builder you work with should clearly define when and how you can expect to hear from them.
This will provide valuable peace of mind while your home is under construction.
7. Do You Outsource Your Work?
Interestingly, many people fail to ask if builders outsource their work. Some firms have in-house employees to handle custom home projects. Others hire contractors instead. If the firm you’re considering chooses to outsource, ask them how they source their workers.
You should avoid builders that pursue the cheapest labor possible. This will only lead to complications in the future.
8. What Determines the Cost?
Your builder should provide an itemized breakdown of their services. This will help you understand why you’ll pay what they charge you. It can also help prevent financial surprises in the future. For instance, let’s assume that your project was supposed to cost $750,000.
Instead, your total bill was $820,000 because they tacked on miscellaneous fees and services. This could easily become something that is difficult to financially accommodate.
9. Can I See Client Testimonials?
Client testimonials are a valuable resource when it comes to making your decision. Keep an eye out for information regarding project timelines, results, and overall experience. You should also consider how the builder responds to negative feedback they may have received.
If they get aggressive or defensive with previous clients, this is a red flag that you can’t ignore. In the event that you have a poor experience, they may attempt to deflect blame and refuse to resolve the situation. Instead, look for a company that is apologetic and aims to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
10. Are You Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?
Under no circumstances should you work with a builder that is not licensed, bonded, and insured. These protections are essential to getting the best results and avoiding nasty financial scenarios.
For instance, a builder without insurance could sue you if a worker gets injured during the project. This is something you want to avoid at all costs.
Find a New Home Builder in Mount Pleasant SC
The above information can help get you started on the right track when looking for a new home builder in Mount Pleasant SC. From here, you’ll be sure to make the right decision for your situation.
Get in touch with us at CK Contracting to see what we can do. Our team of professionals can bring your vision to life.
