Avoiding Common Builder Pitfalls

Builder - If you are hiring a builder to build your dream home, there are many details that you will need to sift through. All of the details are important—from the color of the soffit and fascia on your home to the thickness and durability of your vinyl siding—but perhaps the most important detail of all is the contractor you hire to build your home.

Many homebuyers are so excited to get the process of building their new home started that they neglect to realize that the difference between a good and a bad contractor can be several months and hundreds or thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs and hidden costs. With that in mind, here are some common home building pitfalls to avoid when finding and hiring a contractor for your project.

Avoid falling in love with a contractor at first sight. Most contractors you talk to will be very likeable in the beginning. Many of them may even promise to deliver a quality product for unbelievable promises. Remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it really might be just that. After talking to a contractor, do your homework. Look up their reputation online and with national builders' associations. If the contractor is not able to provide you with references upon your first visit, this may be a red flag.

It may be wise to avoid any contractors that can get to your project right away. If a builder you are considering using can get to your project the same day, this might indicate that he or she does not have any work, and may not be as experienced at building homes as you would like. Additionally, take caution if the contractor promises to have the project done in a very short amount of time. You want to be sure that you are getting the best value, but this does not always mean the least expensive or in the quickest amount of time. A good contractor will provide you with the best materials at the best price. If a contractor comes around, promising inexpensive work completed quickly, you may end up with a low quality, less durable product.

Avoid hiring a builder that operates on handshake agreements. Regardless of how honest and trustworthy the contractor appears to be, if he or she does not want to provide you with a guarantee or agreement in writing, you will want to avoid that one. Make sure that any subcontracts the contractor may have with subcontracting personnel are also in writing so that subcontractors do not come after you as the homeowner if something happens to go wrong.

Having a builder take the dream of your new home and turning it into a reality can be very overwhelming and like anything else, it should be done right. Hiring a quality, trustworthy contractor to build your home is going to be the first step in the right direction towards living in the home you have been dreaming of.Know more about National Builders Association and Builders.