Hiking, camping, golfing, fly-fishing and mountain biking – there is so much to do and love about summers in Colorado. Summer is also the busy building season. If you’re thinking about building a new home, don’t waste your summer going and back and forth with a homebuilder. Working with an experienced, professional builder makes all the difference when it comes to creating your dream home. Seeking out a homebuilder that meets your expectations involves research and asking the right questions. These four steps will help you find the right builder.
Make a List of Potential Builders
With so many companies to choose from the first step is to make a list of potential builders. NoCo HBA has a list of builders who work in Northern Colorado. You could also review the real estate section of the local newspaper for builders. Many builders advertise what type of homes they construct and may offer a price range. Other great sources are asking local real estate agents or friends and relatives who have gone through the building process.
Ask Questions
Once you’ve generated a robust list of potential builders, reach out and ask questions. Start by asking about associated costs in the short and long term such as financing options, fees, homeowner’s association dues and estimated taxes on the property. Don’t forget to secure references of recent buyers. A professional builder will be able to provide you with names and contact information of customers. When you connect with a reference, talk to them about their experience working with the builder in terms of planning, timelines and budgeting.
Get to Know Your Builder
Once you’ve narrowed down the list, make sure the homebuilder has experience building the type of home you want. You can ask to see model homes, example floor plans and design options. Some builders have professional designations, which is a sign that the builder has expertise in a specific area of building, for example, Certified Green Builder.
Establish Communication Expectations
Before you agree to work with a homebuilder, be sure to establish communication expectations. You should agree on how often to connect to discuss updates throughout the project. It’s best to determine what communication channel (email, text or phone) fits your needs. Taking this small but important step helps eliminate any confusion in the homebuilding process and avoids damaging the relationship with your builder.
To meet Northern Colorado homebuilding professionals and learn more about the homebuilding process, contact us at (970) 686-2798.