OK… so you’ve decided to build your “dream home.” Time to get started. One of the first things you want to do is choose a builder. Before you rush into a contract, take some time and do some due diligence. Don’t rush it… quality of builders varies substantially and you want to make sure you not only get quality work, but time work too!
There’s many ways to research builders prior to locking yourself into a contract. One of the best is to use “Angie’s List.” Angie’s List makes it easy to find builders in your area – and – read about other’s experiences with them. Does your prospective builder have trouble finishing projects on time? Do they do sloppy work? Are there prices exorbitant? Do they tend to add on fees on the backend, escalating the costs of projects? These are just some of the pitfalls Angie’s List can help you uncover BEFORE you hire a prospective builder.
You also do your homework by contacting your local chamber of commerce and the better business bureau. That’s easy to do right online and also has the potential to save you from future headaches.
It’s always nice to go with a builder who’s built other homes in your area. Ones that you can go look at in person, prior to hiring them.
Another great resource to tap are local real estate agents. Try connecting with a few and asking THEM what builders are known for good quality work in the area, and which ones are best avoided.
Sometimes you’ll find builders who’ve had a “name change.” You ask them how long they’ve been in business and they’ll say something like: “twenty years” but a few more questions and you find out that under their current name, they’ve only been around for two years. When that happens, research them under their old name too, to make sure they don’t have a trail of complaints under their old name.
The internet can also be a potential asset when selecting (and researching) a builder. Try “Googling” your prospective builder’s name, along with keywords like: “complaint”, “review”, “claims” and review what comes up. If you find something negative, dig deeper. Remember, just because someone’s posted their complaint on the internet doesn’t necessarily make it true. There’s two sides to every story so dig deeper as the builder may not really be at fault. On the other hand, if your prospective builder has a whole slew of online complaints you might want to be especially cautious.
The above suggestions are starting points. Do additional due diligence and get legal and other professional advise as needed prior to making your final selection.