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How To Choose the Right Custom Builder For You
Those considering a remodeling project, or a new custom home, have many choices of builders to choose. Most consumers do not have a construction science background. Many builders say they will build whatever you want. So, how can you narrow the field and make a more qualified, educated, choice to find the right builder for your project?
A cost conscious customer, whose only concern is price, will find little difficulty in finding cost competitive handymen for smaller and simpler projects, production builders with product in a wide pricing range. But, most consumers, and most folks wanting a custom home, are value conscious. That is, they seek their own perspective of balance between cost, quality and speed. Value conscious consumers face a slightly more complex challenge to find their ideal builder. However, with these simple strategies, the solution, provider and overall objective or results are easier to obtain. Answer the Who, What, Where, When and Why, and you should have no problem looking back on your new custom home building experience with satisfaction.
Who
Finding the right person is key to most any project, job, relationship, etc. Fortunately, for consumers, there are several easy identifiers to separate handymen from professional builders and remodeling companies. Following these simple guidelines should ease your search, providing you are a value conscious consumer, and are looking for some of each of quality, timing and cost.
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Your vendor should have a company, even as a sole proprietor. This one dynamic separates many prospects. Single person non company entities are not the strongest choice.
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Is the vendor a member of NAHB (National Association of Home Builders www.nahb.org)?
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Are they a member of a local Builders Association and/or the Remodelors Council or Custom Builders Council of the Association?
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Have any awards been won, such as [your state or city] Builder of the Year, Best Project under $200,000, Best Kitchen, Custom Home of the Year, etc.?
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Do they have direct references for your type of project? Are they familiar with the Aging In Place issues, products, strategies and concepts…the needs of those 60 or older?
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Do they hold the Certified Aging In Place (CAPS) designation, or any other certifications, such as Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB)?
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Does your prospective vendor have professionalism? This should include a neat appearance, some amount of business acumen, communication skills, and professional collateral material, which may include brochures, proposal formats, letterhead, and of course web site. If they do not have what YOU think are the right professional business tools, a deeper longer conversation should be a requirement.
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Does this company provide a single point of contact for project management?
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Do they have an online project management system?
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Do they have a VIP program?
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Do they outsource their warranty?
The answer needs to be yes to most of these. Your intuition should not be overlooked as well. Don’t settle if you don’t feel good about your vendor selection, whether logical or not. Communication and how they make you ‘feel’ is critical. Many times builders become friends with some customers but remember at its core, a new custom home is a Business-2-Consumer transaction. They should be a qualified builder, and the term qualified is whatever you need it to be.
What
As the consumer, you have the need. What you are trying to achieve must first be somewhat outlined with yourself. Your professional vendor is quite capable of assisting you in clarifying the details, once you have narrowed the project description to some extent. The more definition and documentation you can provide, the higher your success rate becomes. Time is money, and generally spending some time on your own, on the front end, will reduce money spent on the project and back end Identifying what you want to achieve is crucial, and second only to WHO, which is selecting the right builder for the job.
If the house will be an Aging In Place home, perhaps a builder with a CAPS (Certified Aging In Place Specialist) designation from the National Association of Home Builders is a good thing to add to the search.
If the home is going to be built on a particular type of topography, or have unusual architecture, or will require creative financing or face extreme climate conditions, and many other situations, it is important to choose a builder you feel can fulfill specific requirements, so do plan to mention all known elements to the builders you are interviewing. Your final budget will be more precise as well.
Where
This refers to where your professional’s skill sets and experience lie, as well as the geographic range your builder has, not can, built in. A consumer should not expect to get a transmission changed from a gas station attendant. Remodeling or home building can be complex with the myriad of variables your professional manages, including coding and regulatory statutes, soil analysis, geography, topography, permits, climate, product knowledge, math, machinery and much more. Ensure your professional has direct experience in the area of your project so you can match your needs with it. Don’t hesitate to develop your own list of questions for the builder. The worst answer you can give a builder, for your success, is, “I don’t know”. The builder can guide you, but ultimately, you are the decision maker, therefore you are in the position of having to know, at least at some point. Builders can offer a lot of resources and education.
When
Timing is everything and a key component of a successful project. Communicate your accurate and honest needs for project stages or completion. The vendor has the ability to adhere, within reason, to confirmed and agreed upon schedules. Almost all project delays involve customer changes, or lack of scheduled customer action, such as making selections on time, or delays in getting product or of course things such as weather. Holding up your “end of the bargain” keeps the burden for timing on the professional. The builder won’t know how to do some basic elements such as framing out the shell for the master bath tub if you have not made up your mind what tub you want. Multiply that by at least 100 and you see how timing can get thrown off. The good news is, choosing all the things you want is a big part of the joy in getting your own unique and custom home built.
Why
After the research, ask your vendor why you should choose them. For example, they may respond with some critical competitive differences, such as they use an online project management system you can log in to so you are involved in the project, or they may have a mobile app. Even if you do not use the mobile app, it is still indicative of a company that ‘has it together’. Remember you are looking for a well-run company. Or perhaps they are letting you buy selection items at their price, or maybe they are offering the project on a cost plus basis (you pay their cost plus a % for margin or markup). Whatever they offer as an answer is more data for you. They should at the very least provide you a recap of your objectives and a summary of their certifications, references, where they excel and when they can complete the proposal and timing of the project. The most important sign they will meet your needs and objectives, beyond being certified, is their ability to communicate with you.
Your successful project, like every other relationship, requires effective communication. Your satisfaction ultimately is your responsibility. Learn, Decide, Enjoy, Build and Re-Build; it’s your right as an American and it’s your life, your house, your choice and your home!
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Diamante Custom Homes - Different By Design
Diamante Custom Homes was established in the Spring of 1992. Each Custom Home Builder has their own unique story of how they came to be. Diamante Custom Homes was born over 2 decades ago out of the inherent frustrations and miscommunications that plague the home building industry. As a company we wanted to hire the best of the best to ensure your custom home building experience is the best we know it can be. As a result we have structured the Design/Build process around our clients. We realize that today’s savvy home buyers have visions, dreams, and of course a budget.
We have become smarter about our design process over the last 2 decades constantly evolving. We know your vision and budget going in and make it a point to revisit the conversation in every design meeting. We pride ourselves on being skilled and up to date on today’s cutting edge technology, energy efficiency, and a streamlined methodology to designing & building the homes of your dreams. We are skilled at costing your project out through every step of the design process, some say it is an art, we like to call it “the way it should be! From your home’s architecture to interior design to purchasing to accounting to construction organization, your Design Build team at Diamante Custom Homes is ready to help with every facet of this unique experience!
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