Building a new house can be both exhilarating and confusing. While the idea of choosing flooring and paint colors are exciting, getting to that point requires many major decisions, the first, and arguably most important being your builder. There are a number of questions you will need to be answered before you are ready to make your choice.
What can I afford?
It is important to get an accurate amount of what is affordable to you and your lifestyle. While most pre-built houses come with little variables, a new build budget can easily take on a life of its own if not planned for carefully. Certain items, such as lot price will be set, however, the house itself will have options that can quickly add up. Standard flooring or hardwood? Laminate countertops or granite? Choices like these can majorly impact your budget if not pre-planned for, turning your dream build into a financial nightmare.
Where do I want to build?
Most people are fairly certain of the city they would like to live in; however, you will need to narrow down a specific neighborhood as well. Many builders purchase entire subdivisions, divide it up into lots and sell off those lots to buyers looking to build. If you have your heart set on a certain area, or lot, you will need to speak with the builder who owns that area. If you’ve picked a lot that is privately owned you will have a bit more freedom when selecting a builder. Conversely, if you found your dream location but want a certain builder, there is potential to purchase the lot separately and have your chosen company do the work for you.
What do I want to build?
What type of home you want to build is an important question to ask early on in the decision-making process. Depending on your answer you could be narrowing your options quite quickly. If you are in the market for a truly custom home you will need to work with a builder who offers that service, otherwise there are typically a number of floor plans already designed that you would choose from. To get a clear picture of what those plans look like your best bet would be to go through model homes, as they will show you exactly what the basis of your home will be. Most builders offer a variety of options once you’ve settled on a specific layout.
How to choose the builder?
Once you’ve narrowed down, how much, where and what, you will need to decide the who. As stated before, depending on the chosen location and lot your options might be limited. If you are able to select a builder or are flexible on the neighborhood you will want to thoroughly research all your choices. Check out websites, read reviews, ask friends and family. Reputation and word of mouth is the best way to get a clear picture of what it is like to work with certain builders. After narrowing down your options, make the call. Set up an appointment and meet the team. They will be happy to sit down with you and go over the process. Also, it gives you an opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns you may have.
Making the final decision.
After you settle on a company you will enter into a contract to commence the build. An agreement is signed and your builder is ready to start the process. Along the way you will want to stay involved, choosing flooring and paint color, as well as making sure the build is happening according to your agreement,
All in all, building a new house should be a fun experience. Working with a builder who is committed to partnering with you to see your vision come to life will ensure it remains that way.
