Building the home of your dreams means making a lot of important decisions including hiring the right contractor. Although you may know what you need out of the professional, it can be challenging to hire the individual. When you’re ready to start planning your custom home project, there are a few steps to consider.
Create a Detailed Plan
Creating a detailed plan is essential. The plan helps you clearly communicate your vision to each contractor you are considering. Make it a point to share your detailed plan to help them envision what you’re looking to have done. Permit drawings are not considered to be complete plans. They don’t include details on the electrical features, lighting, and finishes that you desire. So, have a conversation about these things too in order to get a more accurate estimate.
Interview the Professional
Interviewing the individual is necessary to determine if you like their personality and get along well with them. Find someone that you can trust and who has strong communication skills. The individual should be capable of returning your call or email within 24 hours. It is helpful if they have methods in place that ensure you remain informed and involved. You also want to ask how any change of orders will be handled to avoid complications or major delays.
Price Out the Project
For most clients, prices is a factor when making a decision about who to hire to build their home. While it is important to not make pricing the only factor, it is also important to get detailed estimates in order to make a smart decision. Part of this involves clear communication with your contractors. Another thing to consider is whether or not you are comparing any estimates apples to apples. Does one contractor include things that another does not? Does one contractor charge for change requests while another offers them at no cost? Even things like the warranty can sometimes cost extra, so get the specifics so you can make a fair comparison.
Check that the Professional is Insured
One of the most common mistakes that many people make when hiring a professional is failing to check that the person is insured. Hiring an insured contractor protects you because you won’t have to worry about covering the costs of medical bills or lost wages if the individual or their workers are injured on your property.
Look at Their Work
It’s always a good idea to ask to see previous work from any professionals you are considering to ensure that you’re satisfied with their craftsmanship. This can be achieved by visiting current jobsites or recently finished products. Some contractors also provide galleries of custom built homes and home renovations that you can browse through at your convenience. Even if the professional is recommended to you by someone you know, you’ll still need to take a look at other homes that they’ve built to ensure that you’re satisfied.
Hiring a professional contractor is an important part of building a new home. Make sure to take your time during this process. Ask lots of questions, and review your options. It often helps to sit down with a professional custom home builder before making your decision. Alair Homes Vancouver is always happy to help. Contact us anytime to schedule your complimentary, no obligation consultation.