Below are 8 important factors for selecting your builder.
- The builder's reputation precedes him. Get referrals from clients. Select an established builder with an extensive client list. This is not the time to "take a chance and give this guy a break."
- Choose a builder who is familiar with Georgetown and the area where you want your home built. Local knowledge is important because residential construction is very regional in nature. An out-of-the-area builder might not be prepared to handle variations in soil, local building codes, subcontracting practices, or other factors.
- Select a builder who has extensive experience constructing homes in your price range and general design style.
- You are going to spend a lot of time with the builder. Select someone you like. If they are irritating to you now, wait until you have to deal with them when problems arise.
- Make sure the builder you select is financially solvent. Your mortgage or construction lender should be willingand happy to check financials on the builder, and they may require financials before agreeing to the loan. A builder that goes broke while in the middle of your job can leave you with an impossible situation. Few quality builders are willing to take over someone else's mess.
- Success builders are able to get the best subcontractors and dependable material suppliers. Although delays may happen, you do not want them happening because of inept subcontractors or "no shows" deliveries. Does the builder have a strong track record with his subcontractors?
- Is your builder is using an architect for the designs or making the changes himself? This type of builder leaves you vulnerable to delays and extra charges. Your construction permits require that items be completed as described and shown on plans.
- Does the builder appear healthy? Some of the best general contractors are a one-man-show. The best have a quality team of subcontractors working under them. However, if something happens to the general contractor, the house building stops. Getting a quality builder to step in can be difficult.
Dan Amon, Custom builder
Select your builder with care.
After getting approved to build a house, you need to start locating a builder. You may already have one in mind. If so, let's hope you determined your builder from seeing previous work and talked with homeowners that used him to build their house. Referrals from successful homeowners are the best way to find a builder to build your dream home. Dan Amon will be happy to furnish you with references in the Georgetown, Texas area. Your builder will probably be a hands-on kind of guy. Many of the best custom homes are built by 1 to 3 person companies. Be cautious of the builder that has expanded to more houses than he can properly oversee. In an area like Georgetown, you find builders that are trying to take on more than they can handle. Your best bet is a builder with 1 to 3 houses going up at a time.