FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This is by far the most often asked question by people when first calling a building contractor. The answer of course is, "It depends on so much". It depends on here you wish to build and the site conditions. It depends on whether you wish an attached garage, a full or partial basement, finished or unfinished, full daylight or part. It depends on what style of Architecture and features are included inside and out. It depends on all of these things and much more. A quick answer is not possible for a careful and experienced builder to give.

All builders give or are inclined to giving free estimates. However, if your project requires a great deal of design and engineering time, that is an expense that you should expect to pay for. This is money well spent in establishing a solid basis for your cost estimates and future contracts with your builder.

Getting to know your Builder is the best way to start. Ask your banker or friends who have had work done for the name of a reliable building contractor. Ask someone who has had similar work done if they would enjoy working with this firm or individual again. Schedule a meeting with him in your present home where you can discuss your needs and goals. He has to get to know you and you him. You'll be spending a lot of time together if the project goes ahead. It is very important that you can communicate and work together well. Pick up a few house plan magazines at the store and have a general idea of what you would like. It gives you both a place to start.

Not in most cases. If you are working with an experienced builder they can be very helpful with their advice when it comes to local materials and building practices. Often plans from other parts of the country will need to be revised considerably to allow for material availability and local code requirements. If you choose to work with a Design/Build Contractor, establish a partnership like relationship early on. Give him a good idea of the price range you must fall within in order to build. All good Design/Build Contractors will work with you to accomplish this common goal.

Remember that absolute price is absolutely relative. You ultimately determine the cost of your project. A reliable builder will do a good job and will not cut corners that may jeopardize the outcome of your project. An experienced builder knows that he will be the first one to hear from you if something is not right later. So plan on giving up something tangible if you are in need of cutting costs. Your builder will know where these excesses are in your plan, so ask him where you might save.

Most people have the mistaken idea that a General Contractor makes more money on each job than is so. Being one's own contractor is in theory possible, but you should consider the following:

If you must borrow money to finance your project, most lending institutions will insist on a professional builder to general the job. Keep in mind that it belongs to them until you have paid for it. They don't want something partially completed or poorly done, if you go south on them.

Most sub-contractors will not give a one time builder the same price or priority that a repeat contractor will get. So scheduling becomes a major problem. Not to mention the disadvantages of not knowing who the most reliable people are in any one area, or what a quality job is supposed to look like.

It is very likely that you will. Only very basic projects don't require a permit. Many people wish to avoid the permitting process because they feel that the permit is directly linked with the tax assessor's office. That may be, but the disadvantages and delays caused from forging ahead with no permit can be costly, time consuming and frustrating. A professional Builder is used to working with the Building Department and has established a good relationship with it's officials. These inspections are ultimately to protect you from the fly by night con-artist and shoddy craftsmen. Check with your Building Official when in doubt. He works for you.

City dwellers have a lot of advantages when considering services, e.g. water, sewer, fire protection, street maintenance and police protection. These services cost money and are reflected in higher property taxes. Country living has it's advantages as well, e.g. open spaces, animal rights, fewer neighbors, closer to nature styled living. Disadvantages to living in the country are; Septic tank systems, wells and water storage, lack of fire protection and the chance of getting snowed in for a few hours during the winter months. So it is a personal preference question. Our area still has a lot of both types available.

Most projects require a small down payment to cover permitting and start up costs. Then followed by monthly progress payments based on material and labor already in place. The balance of which is due upon substantial completion of the work. Be sure that all costs are well defined and that you understand the Builders written specifications. No professional Building Contractor will object to providing you with a complete list of material suppliers and sub-contractors who have worked on, or provided goods to your job, along with lien waivers from each.