What to Expect When Hiring a Builder

House Builders - For most of us, hiring a licensed general contractor to build a new home or remodel an existing one is a one-time experience. We may not fully know what to expect from builders or understand what a builder expects from us.

The most important element to an owner/builder relationship (most relationships, really) is good communication. When we first sit down with a builder, we should be clear with him or her our expectations, our vision for the build job, our timelines and our budget. The really good builders will listen carefully. They will ask follow up questions, and they will have questions of their own.

You should expect the builder to explain the construction process to you, going over each stage of the job. From conception and planning to receiving that coveted occupancy permit from the city, a general contractor needs to be able to communicate to you how the whole building process works.

When it comes time to signing a contract, you want the builder to agree to a ‘fixed cost’ contract. This type of agreement sets a firm number for the cost of construction, including labor and materials and fees. Contractsare legally binding to both parties, not just your builder.

Inevitably, changes occur in any build job. What looked great on paper does not translate to the real world. You should expect your contract to happily make any requested changes to the work. It is important to give the builder ample time to make that change so that delays do not stop the job. You should also plan on paying for any changes as the initial contract you signed has in it all of the materials and labor costs spelled. Just like you have a signed contract, you also want a signed change form when making any changes. This helps to reduce confusion and if there is a disagreement, you have the paperwork to prove it. It is also a good idea to take pictures of the work as it is being done.

Your builder should expect from you patience. Things can happen which slow a job down which are out of a builder’s control. How builders fix that issue is the true measure of their worth. Your builder should also expect you to make design choices, material selections and color choices in a timely manner. Don’t cause the construction job to stall because you have not decided between hickory or walnut flooring. For a project to go smoothly, builders and homeowners should think of themselves as partners. With a good relationship anchored by communication and understanding, having a new home built can be exciting and fulfilling, for both of you.

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