How do I know if I have chosen a good builder?

Choosing a builder is the most important decision you need to make in building a home. This choice will determine how enjoyable the entire process will be. The right builder can help you through the financing hurdles as well as choice of materials and design/build process. Even if you already have a house plan, you need to know it will work on the lot you choose, the builder can help you with that as well.

So how do you choose a builder? Referrals are always good. If you know someone who was happy with a builder then that would be a great place to start. Some builders understand septic systems and well water concerns, others may only understand city utilities. If you know you want to use a product like an ICF then asking the manufacturer for a referral is the best idea. Your friends may have had a great builder, but if he doesn’t understand or have experience with the product you are using, he probably isn’t the best choice. Check with various manufacturers like Fox blocks or Reward Walls these will have names of builders in your area that are using their products. Checking in with your regional building department lets you check on a contractor’s license and insurance as well as if they have had any major issues on inspections. It is common to occasionally have an inspection by the building department rejected, they will list the issues that must be corrected, the important things to look for is how often these occur and if the were fixed promptly. Some building departments have more information than others. Pueblo Regional Building Department does a great job. You can search by name or address, you can see all the homes a contractor has built over a certain period of time, when they were started and when they were completed and the permit progress throughout.

There is something to be said for choosing a huge national builder, they typically build in a neighborhood and all the homes will be built in the same general time frame and with the same general look. The downside is they have usually found ways to take shortcuts in the building process to save money, but they rarely pass those savings to you. You typically have very few choices to make. 3-6 floor plans and a choice of carpet color and countertops etc. For some people this is comforting. Few choices mean few arguments with the spouse and you know what you will be getting because it looks identical to the homes already built.

When choosing a smaller builder, who specializes in building, YOUR dream home within YOUR budget, working with you to ensure the choices YOU make are appropriate, built wherever YOU want it, makes the process a little more difficult. Do you want hardwood, carpet or tile floors? Do you want granite, Corian or poured concrete countertops? Do you have that special keepsake from your trip abroad that you want to incorporate into the design of your home? A deck or a patio?  A city lot or acreage? There are many decisions to make and it may seem overwhelming, but the right builder will sit down and talk to you about your lifestyle. Do you entertain? Do you enjoy Bar-b-que outside or gourmet cooking in your kitchen? With these facts he can help you make these choices and make your home fit You. You can choose the building materials so it is more energy efficient and it won’t look like every other home on the street.

www.apachecreekbuilders.com

Charlie Kattnig owner of Apache Creek Builders serving city as well as country living. We understand the water concerns of Southern Colorado and how to drill wells and install septic systems.