What To Look For In A New Home Builder

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Written by Administrator

Monday, 04 May 2009 09:58

Once you have decided to buy a new home, one of the next big decisions is who you will buy from. You want to get full value for your investment. This means choosing an established and reputable builder - someone you can trust, someone who has the technical skills and knowledge to build a good home, and someone who will deal with you fairly and professionally.

Not all builders are the same, and not all are equally good to do business with. There can be a big difference in the quality of their homes, the way they deal with customers and their after-sales warranty and service. Fortunately, there are many good builders around, and with a little effort you will have no trouble finding someone who is right for you. Keep an open mind as you contact builders and visit their model homes or sales offices. But before you enter into a legal agreement with anyone, you should do a little qualifying of your own. Is this the kind of company that you want to do business with, and how can you be sure that you will get the home and the service you want? Here are some questions you may want to ask:

Is home building the builder's main profession? Home building is a serious business. It takes commitment to keep up with everything that is going on in the industry. It requires solid business skills and a track record of satisfied clients. If a "builder" proposes to build your home part-time, you should proceed with caution. If this builder offers you a "better" financial deal, you need to wonder if you will really save in the long run.

Are you a member of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders' Association (GOHBA)? Membership in the Association is an indication of a builder's commitment to the industry, to the success of their own company and, ultimately, to their customers. Members are bound by a Code of Ethics which calls for fair and honest dealings with both consumers and the people they do business with.

Are you a member in good standing of the Ontario New Home Warranty Program? The provincial warranty program has one key goal: to provide additional protection for the home buyer's investment. If a builder is not registered with the warranty program or does not enroll your home in the program, you should wonder about whose interests are being served.

What is your experience and how long have you been in business? Good builders are proud of their track record, whether they have been in business for 3 or 30 years. They will tell you about their experience, their strengths and what sets them apart from others. They will be honest with you about what they can do for you, when and for how much.

Will you give us references from your past clients? Don't just take the builder's word for it. Contact past customers to find out how satisfied they are with their new home. Ask if the home was completed on budget and on time, what the builder was like to work with (easy to talk with, understanding, helpful), and about the company's after-sales service.

Can we visit while you are building? The work site offers many clues about the company and the quality of the builder's homes. Ask for a conducted tour of a home under construction and a chance to meet the site crew. Take note of the details: is the site clean and orderly, are materials stored out of the weather, and so on?

Remember that when you buy a home, you are also "buying" the builder - you need to pay as much attention to choosing the right builder as you do the right home. Taking the simple steps suggested here will give you the information you need to choose a builder with confidence.