| When clients come to their agent for advice it's not | | | | contacting your on site sales representative and |
| uncommon for the client to ask the agent which | | | | Realtor as often as you like. The on-site agent and |
| builder is best or which builder builds the best homes | | | | your agent are there to help and make sure your |
| and the like. Any agent who gives the name of a | | | | purchase is smooth. Don't be afraid to engage them. |
| builder as the answer to this question is taking the | | | | - Set a time for a weekly update call with the builder |
| easy way out to answering a difficult question. As | | | | and your agent. Even if your call is 2 minutes on |
| for qualifying a builder to enter the running there are | | | | Monday morning and consists of a "Nothing has |
| a number of items to address. | | | | changed. We're still waiting on the permits from the |
| Which Builder Is The Best? | | | | city.", you'll know the latest and greatest. |
| When clients come to their agent for advice it's not | | | | - Get the building schedule and hold the builder to the |
| uncommon for the client to ask the agent which | | | | schedule if time is important to you. You may give |
| builder is best or which builder builds the best homes | | | | here to get other places if timing is not critical in your |
| and the like. Any agent who gives the name of a | | | | situation. |
| builder as the answer to this question is taking the | | | | - Visit the site often and take photos. If you see |
| easy way out to answering a difficult question. As | | | | anything that looks odd or is not what you expected |
| for qualifying a builder to enter the running there are | | | | take a photo, document the question in email, and |
| a number of items to address. | | | | contact the builder and your agent IMMEDIATELY. |
| - Is the builder financially stable? How would you like | | | | Waiting to see why the builder is clearing a section of |
| to end up with a half finished house and a bankrupt | | | | the lot that you thought was going to be your treed |
| builder? | | | | hideaway may turn out poorly. |
| - Does the builder have reference clients? Ask for | | | | - Hire an independent inspector to conduct phase |
| references from several subdivisions and ages of | | | | inspections. The builder should be notified before your |
| homes. You don't want to have a zillion problems 2 | | | | inspector arrives. Ideally, the builder will notify the |
| years after you move into the home. | | | | inspector a few days before each phase is ready to |
| - What does the builder do in-house versus | | | | be reviewed. The inspector typically will come after |
| subcontracting? Who manages the home | | | | the slab is poured, after framing is complete, after |
| construction? Who does the actual work. You'll want | | | | plumbing and electrical is installed, and after the home |
| to know who the subcontractors are because they | | | | is completed. |
| will be the ones building the house for the most part. | | | | - Be detailed, but not unreasonable. If you notice |
| - How does the builder ensure quality construction? | | | | something that is just plain sloppy or that will cause |
| The answers to this vary widely and anything that | | | | you issues later, bring it up with the builder. A lot of |
| sounds made up or contrived should set off every | | | | times the agent or superintendent may not have |
| alarm in the prospective buyer.Take copious notes on | | | | noticed what the subcontractor is doing or maybe a |
| the answers. Any misleading or untruthful statements | | | | change order was missed and you are the first to |
| here may be important to your cause later and could | | | | find out. You are buying a new home, NOT a perfect |
| even trigger Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices | | | | home. No home is perfect, but a new home should |
| statues should you need to play hardball later. So long | | | | be of high quality and to your specifications. |
| as you get satisfactory answers to the questions | | | | Be Diligent |
| above you can begin to focus on ensuring the builder | | | | As you've discovered, your involvement in the |
| you selected is building a safe and quality home for | | | | building process can make all the difference. Stay on |
| you and your family. | | | | top of the ball and 9 out of 10 builders will meet your |
| You Are The Quality Control | | | | needs and build you a quality home. Sometimes you'll |
| As you may have already figured out there is no | | | | even run across a builder that will build you a great |
| best builder. The process of taking a parcel of raw | | | | home, nearly perfectly without your involvement, but |
| land and creating a family's home is long and can be | | | | why take the chance? |
| complicated. As with all projects communication is | | | | Happy building! |
| key. As new build clients you should feel comfortable | | | | |