Featured Professionals
| Accounting |
| Advertising & Public Relations
| | Advertising, Marketing & Design |
| Affordable Housing Services
| | Alarm & Security Services |
| Alarm / Security Systems
| | Analytical Testing |
| Appliance Distributors
| | Appliances |
| Architects
| | Architects / Designers |
| Architects / Planners
| | Architectural Services |
| Asphalt / Concrete
| | Attorneys |
| Attorneys, Land Use & Environmental
| | Attorneys / RE Development / Entitlements |
| Audio / Video Systems
| | Awards |
| Banking / Construction Finance
| | Banking / Finance |
| Banks
| | Bath Tubs / Spas |
| Bathroom Fixtures & Equipment
| | Bathware, Tubs, Showers, Whirlpools |
| Bonds
| | Builder - Commercial Building |
| Builder - Commercial General Contracting
| | Builder - Land Developer |
| Builder - Multifamily (Condo / Coop Units)
| | Builder - Multifamily (General Contracting) |
| Builder - Multifamily Building / Ownership (Rental Units)
| | Builder - Remodeling (Residential) |
| Builder - Single Family (Custom Building)
| | Builder - Single Family (General Contracting) |
| Builder - Single Family (Spec / Tract)
| | Builder, Developer |
| Builder, General Contractor
| | Builder, Multi-Family |
| Builder, Multi-Family, Condo / Coop
| | Builder, Multi-Family, Rental |
| Builder, Single-Family, Custom
| | Builder, Single-Family, Spec Tract |
| Builders Exchange
| | Builders, Non-res, Office / Retail |
| Building Materials
| | Building Materials & Product Supplies |
| Building Permits
| | Cabinet Maker, Installer |
| Cabinet Manufacturer and / or Wholesale
| | Cabinets |
| Carpenters
| | Carpentry / Framing Contractor |
| Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
| | Cleaning Contractor, Final & Models |
| Cleaning Contractor, Rough & Finish
| | Cleaning Services |
| Commercial Builder Developer
| | Commercial Contractor |
| Commercial Real Estate
| | Commercial / Industrial Developers |
| Communication Services
| | Computer Services, Support, Consulting |
| Concrete Contractor
| | Concrete / Ready-Mix Contractor |
| Concrete / Ready-Mix Producer
| | Construction Finance / Lender |
| Construction Management
| | Construction Management Educator |
| Consultants
| | Consultants, Construction |
| Consultants, Environmental
| | Consultants, RE Entitlement & Economic Development |
| Consultants, Real Estate
| | Consultants, Title 24 Energy |
| Consultants, Urban Economics
| | Consulting |
| Contractor
| | Counter Tops / Solid Surface |
| Countertops
| | Countertops, Stone & Corian |
| Decking
| | Design, Joint Trench Composites |
| Design / Build Firm
| | Developer |
| Developer / Builder
| | Developer / Non-profit Housing |
| Doors
| | Doors & Millwork |
| Doors, Garage & Overhead
| | Doors, Hardware |
| Dry Cleaning
| | Drywall Contractor |
| Educator
| | Electrical |
| Electrical Contractor
| | Employment / Staffing |
| Energy Efficiency
| | Engineered Wood Products |
| Engineering
| | Engineers |
| Engineers, Civil Planners Surveyors
| | Engineers, Consulting |
| Engineers, Environmental
| | Engineers, Geotechnical |
| Engineers, Structural
| | Engineers, Utility |
| Entitlements
| | Erosion Control |
| Excavating Contractors
| | Excavating / Grading Contractor |
| Fans, Contracting & Retail
| | Fencing Contractor |
| Fencing / Fencing Contractors
| | Fiberglass Tubs & Repair |
| Financial Services
| | Finishing Subcontractor |
| Fire Sprinklers
| | Fire / Sprinkler / Alarm Systems |
| Fireplaces
| | Fleet Services |
| Floor Coverings
| | Flooring |
| Flooring / Tile Contractor
| | Framing |
| Framing Contractor
| | Garage & Overhead Doors |
| Gas Engineers
| | General Contractor |
| General Contractors
| | General Engineering Contractor |
| Golf Course
| | Government Agencies |
| Grading Contractor
| | Granite / Marble |
| Granite / Marble Fabrication & Installation
| | Green Building Supplier |
| Gutter System Installation
| | Gutters |
| Hardware
| | Health & Wellness |
| Heating / HVAC
| | Heavy Civil Construction / Site Development |
| HERS Rating
| | Home Theater Systems |
| Homeowners Association Mgmt.
| | Human Resources Consulting |
| HVAC Supplies
| | Infrastructure & Site Development |
| Insulation Contractor
| | Insulation Contractors |
| Insulation Products
| | Insurance |
| Insurance - General Liability
| | Insurance - Health |
| Insurance - Surety
| | Insurance - Workers Comp |
| Insurance Services
| | Interior Design & Furnishing |
| Internet Marketing Services
| | Internet Services |
| Investments
| | Irrigation Manufacturing |
| Joint Trench Utility Contractor
| | Joists / Beams / Columns / Trusses |
| Land Developers
| | Land Development Services |
| Land Surveyors
| | Land Use Planning / Entitlements |
| Landscape Architects / Designers
| | Landscape Construction |
| Landscape Contractor
| | Landscape Materials |
| Landscaping Design & Services
| | Law Firm |
| Lighting Design
| | Lighting Fixtures |
| Lighting Fixtures & Electrical
| | Low Voltage Systems |
| Lumber
| | Lumber / Building Materials |
| Lumber / Truss Supply
| | Management / Consulting |
| Management / Property
| | Mantels |
| Manufacturer, Building Materials
| | Marble & Granite Fabrication |
| Market Research
| | Marketing & Marketing Strategies |
| Marketing Communications
| | Marketing Services |
| Masonry Contractor
| | Masonry Products |
| Millwork Products
| | Mitigation Banking |
| Model Home Merchandising
| | Mold Treatment |
| Mortgage Banking / Finance
| | Mortgage Lending |
| Mortgages / Construction Loans / Financing
| | Natural Stone Import & Sales |
| New Home Sales & Marketing Specialists
| | Non-Profit Home Repairs |
| Non-Profit Organizations
| | Optical |
| Organizations
| | Paint Manufacturing; Wholesale, Retail |
| Paint / Painting / Wallpaper
| | Painting Contractor |
| Pavement Cleaning
| | Paving Contractor |
| Pest Control
| | Photo Design |
| Photography, Architectural
| | Planner, Land Community |
| Planners - Land & Community
| | Planners and Surveyors |
| Planners, Land Use / Environmental
| | Plastering Contractor |
| Plumbing & HVAC Supplies
| | Plumbing Contractor |
| Pools
| | Portable Toilets |
| Pressure Washing / Window Cleaning
| | Printer / Copier |
| Printers
| | Product Manufacturers & Representatives |
| Project Management
| | Promotional Materials / Items |
| Property Management
| | Public Relations |
| Publications
| | Real Estate |
| Real Estate Brokers
| | Real Estate Consultants |
| Real Estate Consultants, Dept. of
| | Real Estate Developers |
| Real Estate Economics / Public Finance
| | Real Estate Information |
| Real Estate Investors
| | Real Estate Sales and Management |
| Real Estate / REALTORS
| | Recruiter |
| Remodelers
| | Restoration |
| Retired
| | Retirement Services |
| Roofing Contractor
| | Roofing Supplies |
| Sales Office Displays
| | Security Systems |
| Senior Residence
| | Sheet Metal Contractor |
| Shower Doors & Mirrors
| | Showers / Tubs |
| Signage, On Site / Off Site
| | Signs |
| Site Contractor
| | Site Planning |
| Solar Consultants / Engineers
| | Staffing - Temporary & Recruiting |
| Stair Contractor
| | Steel |
| Stormwater Treatment
| | Street Sweeping |
| Stucco
| | Stucco Contractor |
| Studs / Headers
| | Supplier |
| Surveyors
| | Surveyors (Land) |
| Tax and Audit
| | Telecommunications Service |
| Termite Control
| | Tile |
| Tile & Stone Supplier
| | Tile Contractor |
| Title & Escrow
| | Title Insurance |
| Training Development
| | Transportation Consultants |
| Truss
| | Trusses |
| Underground & Utilities
| | Underground Contractors |
| Utilities
| | Utilities Contractors |
| Vehicle Purchase
| | Warranties |
| Warranty Repair
| | Water Remediation |
| Website Services
| | Wetland Mitigation Bank |
| Window Treatments
| | Windows |
| Workforce Development
|
|
|
 |
Selecting a Builder |
|
As you start your search for a quality builder, we recommend the following steps be followed:
Making the Right Choice
Investigate the list of builders you have compiled and are considering. Make sure the company is a member of your local home builders association or building industry association. Members of these associations subscribe to a code of ethics. Ask past clients of builders you are considering the following questions:
- Did the builder communicate well with you and were there any misunderstandings?
- Were the subcontractors comfortable to work with?
- How pleased were you with the quality of work as it was completed?
- Did the builder fulfill the contract on time?
- Were there cost overruns and how were they handled?
- Did the builder follow through in a timely manner after the close of the loan to finalize any remaining details?
- Was the builder ethical and were you satisfied with the builder's business practices?
Comparing Bids
Get bids from three to four builders, but remember the lowest bid ins't necessarily the best bid. All builders' bids should be based on the same criteria: specifications, quality of materials, etc. Call the Better Business Bureau at 1-800-456-3907 for further references on the builder you have selected.
Warranties and Services After the Sale
An important criterion for selecting a builder is the warranty provided on the home. Most reputable builders back their own warranties on workmanship and materials typically for one year. Make sure you understand this before you sign the contract. In addition, warranty insurance is generally available on major structural work from general contractors.
Be Prepared for the Final Walk-Through
Once your home is completed, you and the builder or his representative will walk through the home noting all items that needto be completed, fixed or altered. Make sure you and the builder keep a complete list noting all the same items. Don't be alarmed it you find a few things not up to your standard. A completed home is the sum of many individual mechanical operations and many materials. It isn't unusual for small things to be amiss. The builder should give you a projected date of completion for corrections.
The final step is to close, move in, and enjoy your new home!
|
