If you’re in the market for a custom built home in South Etobicoke, finding the right general contractor is probably at the top of your list. While there are certainly things to be aware of and plenty of horror stories out there, the truth is, many general contractors are both professional and capable, and finding the right one just takes a little work.
The timing of when you approach your South Etobicoke custom home builder is important. While it’s certainly fine to start discussions before you’ve picked a site or decided on design plans, waiting until you’re a bit closer to ready to build allows your builder to do a better job of narrowing down the price and timeline. At the very least, have a general idea of how big you want your house to be, whether it will be one or two stories and what features you consider to be ‘absolute necessities’.
Regardless of where you are in the design process, narrow your list down to South Etobicoke general contractors with experience in the type of build you are planning. If your construction team only knows how to build luxury homes and your plan is for a starter home, you might find that they have a difficult time negotiating prices for materials, supplies and sub-contractors that are in line with your budget. On the other end of the spectrum, if your builder is small and has little or no negotiating power, the million dollar estate you’re planning could end up costing you a lot more than you anticipated.
At this point, you might be considering how much work it will take to handle the general contracting responsibilities yourself and only hire sub-contractors. While this might sound like a great way to save money at the onset, consider the benefits of hiring someone to oversee the job. A knowledgeable general contractor will know all the ins and outs of pulling permits, scheduling sub-contractors and ordering supplies in a cost effective fashion. That person will also serve as a single point of responsibility, so that if something does go wrong, you’re not stuck spending thousands, chasing down multiple sub-contractors to make it right and waiting to get the ball rolling again.
When discussing the project with potential general contractors, be as specific as you can. The more information you can provide in the form of drawings, structural specifics from an engineer and even your family’s goals and lifestyle, the better the end result will be. You’re also more likely to get an accurate account of the costs involved to build by letting your builder know what you want, and you’ll reduce unwanted surprises along the way too. Your South Etobicoke builder is on your side, so provide them with the information they need so that they can get the job done right.
Along these lines, take the time to talk to more than one builder during the estimating stage for your new home. Different builders have different pricing strategies, and one might be able to offer you a better bottom line than another while still providing the same quality and workmanship. It’s also worth considering who you get along with best during this interviewing process, since this is a person you’ll be working closely with for many months to come.
When asking construction teams to bid the project, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Ask about timelines, sub-contractor relationships, if a project manager will remain on site for the duration of construction, what kind of warranty protection they offer and the specifics of their contract. Also, check reviews and look for professional accreditations with local and national organizations. While getting a good deal is important, remember that this is your home. You want to make sure that the process of building it is as stress-free and productive, and paying a little more to get the service and transparency you deserve just might be worth it.