Helpful Info
23 Questions to Ask Your Home Builder
- How many years have you been in business, and how many homes have you built in the last year
- Is your company licensed to build in this area?
- What types of insurance do you have (general liability, workers comp, etc.) and what are the limits of each?
- How will I be protected against subcontractor liens on my home?
- Can you supply the names of your five most recent home buyers so I can check your references? (Also check with local Realtors who have worked with or may know this builder.)
- What sets you apart from other builders in the area?
- How long does it normally take to build a home of this size?
- How many other homes are you building now and how do you manage crews across all the projects to finish them on time?
- Will our contract provide a completion date and penalties if the home isn’t finished on schedule?
- Will I have a dedicated project manager?
- If something happens to the primary person building my house, who will complete the build?
- What energy-saving features do your homes offer?
- Do you build only from your floor plans or can I supply my own?
- How and when can I make changes or upgrades before and during construction?
- Will our construction agreement include a complete list of detailed specifications and allowances?
- Which permits and fees will be required to build this home and are they included in your price?
- Does the community have a homeowners’ association? If so, what are its rules and fees?
- How and when will the final price for my home be determined?
- How often and when will I have access to the home during construction?
- What’s your process for quality inspection during construction and at final walk-through, and to address any changes that are identified?
- Will you allow us to check for defects before we release the final payment?
- What type of warranty do you offer?
- How will you handle our deposit if we decide to cancel the contract before construction starts?
Sources: National Association of Home Builders, H2builders. com, newhomesource.com
Used with permission from Florida Realtors)