Most builders are great people and will work very hard for you and your dreams. But there are a few bad apples around and we have all heard the horror stories. It’s a shame that so few can spoil if for so many. So, choose your contractor carefully, no other decision will have a greater impact on the success of your project. So how do you avoid the few bad apples and find one of the many good ones?
A great place to start is with the Iron County Home Builders Association (ICHBA). Contractors and tradesmen who belong to ICHBA must be properly licensed for their trade and they must each agree to follow a code of ethics. Also check with your friends and neighbors who have had work done recently. Ask who did the work, and how it went, who did the design, what it cost, and so on. If you’re looking for a new home builder, Realtors can be another good source.
I always recommend people select a contractor using interviews. Find someone with an excellent reputation and strong track record in the community. Pick a few contractors through ICHBA and your network and then interview them. Do you feel as though you can communicate well with them? Do you feel as though they are trustworthy and that your trust in them will grow with time? Choose a company that fits your style, personality and values. When you talk about price, ask to see examples of projects like yours that are in your price range. Be sure to get a list of references and then call them.
Find someone whom you feel comfortable working with- if it doesn’t feel right, then politely move to the next interview. If you have to pay a little extra to hire the right person, you won’t regret it. The savings from hiring the lowest price often evaporates as the job progresses. You and your contractor will essentially be partners for the duration of the job, so choose someone with honesty and integrity. Problems will arise during and probably after any large construction project, so it is important to find someone who you feel will act fairly and responsibly in resolving any issues that come up.
Who you chose is vital to the success of your project. There are many good contractors and ICHBA will help you find them. Take your time to find the right one for you and your unique job. After you’ve interviewed and narrowed the field down to a couple of qualified builders, you probably won’t go wrong by picking either, so trust your instincts. Once you do pick your contractor, trust them, but verify too. Be sure everything is in writing. This doesn’t mean you don’t have confidence in them, it just means that you want to establish expectations and have verifiable results. With the right contractor, your dream project really can turn out just like you hope it will!
Roger Thomas
Choice Builders