Jeremy Vorndran, President, North Coast Building Industry Association
April 2020 has been nothing like we have ever seen before. Many of us have been working from home and are constantly facing new challenges while working there. One thing that may be in the front of your mind now after spending all this time at home is that you are ready to build a brand new house for you and your family! But how do you start? Working with an experienced and professional builder can make a difference when it comes to creating your dream home. Below are some simple steps you can take to find the builder that is the perfect fit for you!
With so many companies to choose from the best first step is to make a list of potential builders in your area. The North Coast Building Industry Association has a list of builders who are licensed, insured, and reputable for the Lorain, Erie & Huron County areas. A great resource during this time would be to check out our Virtual Parade of homes which is located at our website, www.ncbia.com. All of our builders are listed on there with links to their website which can give you a great idea of what types of homes they build and the price range they build in.
Once you get your list of builders narrowed down start reaching out to your top 5 and ask questions. Some good things to start with are asking about associated costs in the short and long term such as financing options, fees, homeowner’s association dues and estimated taxes on the property. It’s important during this stage to ask for references of recent buyers as well. A professional builder will be able to provide you with names and contact information of recent customers. When you are able to connect with one of their references, talk to them about their overall experience with the builder in terms of planning, how did they stick to timelines, and budgeting.
After you have narrowed down your list even more, make sure the home builder has substantial experience in building the type of home you are looking for. You can ask to see model homes, example floor plans and design options. Some builders have professional designations which is a sign that the builder has expertise in a specific area of building, for example, Certified Green Building (CGP).
Lastly before you sign any contracts with any new home builder make sure to establish communication expectations. You should both agree on how often to connect to discuss updates through out the projects. It is best to determine what communication channel fits your needs. Some people are more responsive to emails while others would prefer that you text them directly. This is a conversation you need to have with your builder as to the best way for you to communicate with each other. Taking this small but important step will help eliminate any confusion in the home building process and avoid damaging your relationship with your builder.
To meet local building professionals and learn more about the home building process please feel free to contact the North Coast Building Industry Association at 440.934.1090 or find us on the web at www.ncbia.com