Building a New Home? What to Look for in a Contractor or Architect
Building a new home to your specifications is a dream come true. However, without the right contractor and/or architect, it can quickly become a nightmare. Building a new home is a major investment, one that takes patience and persistence. You want it to be the best it can be, so you need to hire the best help.
Finding the Right Contractor
Giving your home a facelift requires a competent contractor. It’s crucial you do your homework and not just hire anybody. Ensure that your contractor is bonded and insured. In fact, most states require that contractors are both, or at least have their own insurance. If not, they can leave your home a mess if they decide to skip out on the job or go out of business, leaving you no recourse to recoup losses.
Hiring the Best Architect
If you’re still in the design stage, you will require the services of a creative and qualified architect. Again, do your homework. This means studying their portfolio, reading their reviews and checking out their references. Additionally, ensure the architect adheres to your state’s building practices. You’re paying for quality, so you deserve quality. Play an active role in the design process to get what you want, and finalize everything with your designer/architect before signing a contract.
It’s important to conceptualize the blueprint with your architect together. Don’t be afraid to ask the architect for help in visualizing the home-building process, which instills confidence in both parties. An experienced architect, when they understand your vision, will be able to sketch out your desired home on a piece of graph paper.
If an architect is unwilling to collaborate with you on your dream home, find one that will. It’s not necessary to have your vision complete before meeting an architect, but you should know the general direction in which you want to go.
Consult with Professionals
Never go into the home-building process blind. Seek out professional opinion on the area you want to build. It is also wise to speak to other people in the area who have built homes and ask about the pros and cons, mistakes to avoid, etc. Additionally, know the rules and restrictions of the land you’re building on, as they can vary greatly from the city and a rural area.
If you do plan on going it alone, there’s no shame in asking for help from a professional on the smaller details. For example, consult with a professional on special purchases such as concrete, stone or tile.
Building a home is one of the most exciting time’s in your life. It is also an opportunity to immerse yourself in a once-in-a-lifetime project. To see your vision come to life, hire an experienced professional, but ensure your input is taken into consideration. Do your research, and make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. If you have the skill to build it yourself, have a detailed plan in place before breaking ground. Finally, always know if you can afford your dream before starting.
