Building a new home is an exciting endeavor! There’s something special about planning out the perfect place for you and your family and watching as it becomes real. You get to imagine every detail, and as crazy as moving day can be, there’s nothing like settling into your new home knowing that it’s exactly what you’ve been dreaming of.
Before you can move into your home sweet home, though, you need to figure out a design for your house. You also need to create a practical timeline so that your house can be built quickly and safely. And finally, you need to find the right people to execute your plan and get the job done. That’s a lot of i’s to dot and t’s to cross, and that’s where a contractor comes in!
But as anyone who has tried to find a good contractor knows, it can be really tough to find the perfect contractor to meet your home-building needs! There are hundreds of businesses out there who can help you build your new home. Trying to sort through that long list can be a daunting task all by itself! How are you supposed to know which one can best meet your needs and make your home building process as smooth and easy as can be?
Here are the top 5 best tips to help you find the best local contractor to help you build your dream house:
#1. Check Reputable Sources and Find Trusted Recommendations
It may sound silly, but when you’re looking for a good local contractor, sometimes a good recommendation really is the best recommendation. Check out the contractor’s website to make sure they’re properly licensed, and even check their litigation history — you don’t want a contractor who has a history of cutting corners! Make sure to look at reviews from previous clients and subcontractors, and even make a few phone calls. Previous customers are usually happy to give you their honest feedback! It’s also a good idea to ask your friends, family, and co-workers about their experiences working with contractors. By asking around and getting honest opinions from trusted sources, you can easily compile a good shortlist of contractors to bring you a step closer to your perfect home!
#2. Don’t Be Afraid to Shop Around
Asking around for good recommendations is a great way to get started looking for a good home contractor! But to narrow your list all the way down to one, you’re going to have to reach out to several contractors and start asking questions! It’s a good idea to pick 5-10 different contractors and reach out to all of them. Ask them about their availability, their payment schedules, and get estimates from each of them. Conduct your initial conversations over the phone, and when you’ve got your list down to 3-5 contractors, have some in-person interviews. Really getting to know your contractor prior to starting the job can give you the confidence and peace of mind you need when undertaking a project as big as building a house!
#3. Keep Price in Mind — But Be Prepared to be Flexible
Once, you’ve gotten to know a few local contractors and gotten estimates from each of them, it’s time to start comparing prices. Many home builders’ first instinct is to try to get the most value for the lowest price. It makes sense — you certainly want the most bang for your buck, regardless of your budget! But it’s important to keep in mind that sometimes the contractor with the lowest prices isn’t always going to provide you with the quality materials or construction necessary to build your home safely, and you could end up having to make costly repairs in the future. Or, the contractor’s estimate could be low-balling some of the material costs to artificially appear as though they’re able to build at a lower cost when compared to other bidders, and you could get caught in a “bait and switch” tactic and end up with costly change orders during construction. It’s not necessary to spend top dollar to build a safe and beautiful home! But remember that your home is one of the most important investments you’ll make, and you want to find a contractor who can help you get your money’s worthwhile also ensuring quality and safety.
#4. Communicate Clearly
While you’re searching for the perfect contractor to build your home, remember to communicate frequently and openly! A contractor who isn’t interested in communicating with you isn’t interested in helping you build a quality home. Find a contractor who is open and communicative about their process and expectations for you. And don’t be afraid to communicate your own expectations clearly and often! If you have questions or concerns, make sure you share those with your contractor, and make sure you get clear answers. Finding a contractor who communicates honestly and clearly will ensure your peace of mind through your whole home building experience.
#5. Remember to Be a Good Customer!
Finding an honest and fair contractor is important! You definitely want to find the people who can build your home exactly the way you’ve imagined. However, it’s important to remember to make sure you’re the kind of client a contractor will want to work with. Remember to manage your expectations and keep them reasonable. Do your research, communicate openly and honestly, and expect your contractor to do the same. If you and your contractor can build a strong working relationship, your home building process is sure to go smoothly and efficiently, and you’ll move into your incredible new home in no time at all!
Want to Learn More?
And those are your top five tips to help you in your search for the perfect local contractor for your home-building project!
MPC Builder’s goal is to make sure your home-building process goes as smoothly as possible. Our references and awards history speak for themselves — we have an established reputation for being a contractor who cares and for doing quality work to make you happy and comfortable in your new home. We start by creating a detailed construction estimate, with your input, and share it with you in an open book manner. During this process, we’ll make sure you’re fully educated on every part of our process, and we’ll never surprise you with hidden costs or cut corners. We’re committed to maintaining the highest standard of excellence for construction and communication, and we look forward to working with you!
We want to help you build a beautiful custom home on an efficient schedule, within your budget, and perfectly to your taste. It is possible! If you have any questions, please feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to us personally! We will get back to you as soon as we can!
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