Custom Home Builder FAQ’s
How long have you been in the home building industry?
Our company was established in 1982. I joined the company in 1992 and I have personally been building homes for over 30 years.
What types of homes do you specialize in building?
Custom homes. When we can make someone’s dreams and visions become a reality.
Can you provide examples of homes you’ve built in the past?
We have several gallery’s of homes we have built in the past on our website, we are constantly updating as we add new completed projects.
Are you licensed and insured? Can you build homes year round?
We are licensed, insured, and bonded. Construction can be dictated by the weather. Luckily the northeast’s winters have been pretty mild lately, which allows for construction for most of the year. Township and Municipality restrictions can also affect the timeline of construction. For example, a lot of seasonal shore towns do not allow construction in the summer.
Do you offer customizable floor plans, or do you only work from existing designs?
That depends on the type of building you are doing. When doing a custom home for a client, we try to establish floor plans and designs in the architectural phase. Of course, changes in layout, material, windows, doors, and other unexpected changes come up during the construction phase. We strive to give our clients the home of their dreams, so wherever possible any changes can be accommodated. Of course this may involve change order costs, which are discussed and approved before any change takes place
How long does it typically take to build a new home?
A standard average size home will take from 3 to 6 months to complete depending on size, material availability, changes in design, and weather. There are multiple inspections that take place during each process, so in this regard the availability of inspections can affect the timeline.
What factors can affect the timeline for completing a home construction project?
Weather, material availability, changes to construction, and inspections would be the main factors. If a good contractor does his job correctly, material and inspections shouldn’t be a problem. Weather, well you know how that can go.
Do you handle obtaining building permits and meeting local building codes?
Yes, We do submit for the permits. When submitting a permit app, The main trades, building, electric, plumbing, and HVAC must all sign and seal their respective parts of the application. There are also several other items needed for a complete application, so it is always better if we handle that process.
Can I make changes to the design or materials during the construction process?
Sure. Changes happen all the time. However there is a cost involved. Depending on when the change is made can make a huge difference in cost, so trying to look ahead is always a good idea. Of course some changes happen at the last minute and there is nothing you can do about it. The main factor when dealing with a change is to discuss it with the homeowner and have them sign an approved change order form. This form will detail the scope of work and the cost that will be incurred. No changes should be made until both parties, the owner and the contractor, have signed the change order.
How do you handle communication and updates throughout the construction process?
I like to communicate with the home owner quite often during construction. Wether through emails, text, and phone calls, I keep them updated on what’s going on currently, and what they can expect in the future. We understand that these projects are often peoples dream homes that they have poured so much in to. Clients need to know that we understand how much this means to them, and good communication is always paramount to maintaining a healthy owner / contractor relationship. Whether there is good or bad news I feel prompt communication is always better. Letting a problem linger only adds to the situation. Also when dealing with material selection, communication is critical to assuring all product choices are what the owner wants. Having an owner sign off on a material order is always wise before ordering.
What is your payment schedule, and are there any hidden fees I should be aware of?
Payment schedules differ from project to project. Some are based on milestones, some are based on time. Either way this component must be agreed to before the project starts. This ties into the communication aspect again. A client must have an idea what the payment schedule is like to prepare for either personal payments or coordination with a bank for construction loan payments. There should not be any hidden fees in a construction contract. All items and costs should be outlined in black and white. Changes are addressed with signed change orders. There should never be any surprises. We also recommend the client have a real estate lawyer review any construction contract.