Building a home is a challenging task, and nearly an impossible one at that, for one person to take up. It also requires different skill sets. So, outsourcing the home-building task to those with the skills or a dedicated team is wise. A competent home builder or contractor can transform a homeowner’s vision for their home into reality. However, homeowners should consider a few things before hiring a contractor to make an informed decision.
Skills to look for
A home-building contractor is a supervisor. So, they should not only possess various technical skills that are essential to being hands-on on the site but also possess many soft skills that are crucial for managing multiple and diverse teams. There are a few key skills that homeowners should look for in a home-building contractor.
- A home builder or contractor should have updated knowledge of building codes, licenses, and local regulations.
- They could be skilled in one particular craft, such as masonry; however, they should have basic knowledge about other associated skills, such as carpentry, framing, wiring, and plumbing.
- A home builder or contractor should be able to read the blueprint created by an architect or an engineer. Besides that, they should be able to look at the drawings and execute them with minimal interventions and discussion requirements. However, if there are doubts or the plan contains something that is not executable, they should be able to discuss it openly with the homeowner and the architect.
- They should know best practices in the latest rules and guidelines about eco-friendly building techniques and concepts.
- The nature of work on a construction site and using heavy materials and equipment significantly increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Even though there is insurance coverage for construction workers, a home builder or contractor should prioritize safety and comply with all safety protocols. They should never ask the workers to continue their work if any protective gear or safety equipment is unavailable on any given day.
- A contractor should be willing to periodically communicate with the homeowner and report to them about work status. If they are experiencing delays in getting materials or facing a labor shortage, they should keep the homeowner informed without withholding information. A contractor’s ability to be transparent and open is critical for the project’s timely completion.
- A contract for building a home contains a lot of financial information regarding transactions with hundreds of workers, subcontractors, and suppliers. A home builder should have the integrity to handle financial matters honestly and transparently.
Things to do before hiring the right home building contractor nearby
Choosing the right contractor is important, considering the investment, time, and emotion in building a home. A home builder or contractor makes decisions on the homeowner’s behalf and ensures that work happens per schedule and they can deliver the completed house at the right time. With so much at stake, a homeowner should try to find the best home-building contractor to build their home.
1. Visit the local home builder’s office
A National Home Builders Association is an association of builders, contractors, and developers, and every state and county has one. Contact their office or visit their website to find a registered building contractor nearby.
2. Walk around the neighborhood
Individuals looking to build a home should walk around the neighborhood and check out the houses they like. They can ask the owners if they can share the contractor’s reference. More often than not, homeowners will be willing to share the information and give their honest reviews and feedback about the builder.
3. Check the history of home builders and contractors
Once individuals seeking to build a home have a list of multiple home builders, they should speak with each individual and gain insight into the projects they have already completed. If the owners of these projects are willing to show them their properties, they should visit them in person. They should determine whether the contractor had a good and honest financial record of payments to labor and suppliers. They should also verify whether they handed over the completed projects on schedule and fulfilled all contract clauses.
Potential homeowners should search about the contractor online to find out if their customers have received positive or negative reviews. They can also check for online directories like Better Business Bureau for the contractor’s trust quotient and reviews.
4. Get proof of licenses and subcontractor contracts
A building contractor cannot engage in construction without local county or state office licenses. They should also provide proof of liability and workman’s compensation insurance for the construction workers. This will protect the homeowner from any liability in case of accidents and injuries during the construction process.
5. Get estimates and pricing
A home building project has multiple components that must be estimated precisely to get the project cost right. There must be no room for omissions or deletions in the detailed estimate, which should be part of the contract. Without a written contract and a detailed estimate, the homeowner will lose money if things don’t work out as planned. There are a few things homeowners should verify and satisfy before signing their contract. These include payment schedule, project timeline, scope of work, provision for delays and unexpected situations, detailed list of materials required, and post-project completion service, i.e., attending to problems in the house after moving in.