How to Choose a Builder
Find a Builder
It’s a good idea to find out who is a member of your local building association and meets Government-endorsed trading standards. You may also want to look for builders who are members of the Federation of Master Builders as this can give you some level of consumer protection.
Ideally, try to get recommendations from friends and family who have recently had their new home built or renovation undertaken. You should also seek out builders who are currently undertaking work in your area and ask to view their site; most will be happy for you to do so and it will allow you to see first-hand the quality of their work. Click here for a builder.
Another useful source of information is social media; many builders have accounts where you can see their progress, and costs, and ask questions. Doing a general search for renovations in your area (via popular hashtags or by searching with your town/postcode) can help to uncover some hidden gems.
Design options
Home builders typically offer a wide range of design options for floorplans, trim packages, and fixtures. These choices can include paint color, wall-to-wall carpeting, hardwood floors, kitchen countertops, plumbing fixtures, and even garage doors. Home builders usually display option samples in model homes and design centers or online on their websites.
Most home builders have memberships in local trade associations and give back through community organizations. They also buy their materials locally and support local businesses. Some builders, like Napoleon Development, have a dedicated focus on sustainable building. Their homes contain diverse materials from all over the world and meet Energy Star ratings.
Some home builders specialize in particular styles of homes, such as traditional, new traditional, and modern designs. Others have a specific niche, such as environmentally-friendly homes or affordable multi-family living. These firms often use innovative designs, such as elevators, Smart home automation systems, and Luton technology. In addition, they may have memberships in the Green Building Council.
Warranty options
Many new home builders provide a warranty on their work, either as part of the sales contract or as a separate document. Some warranties last one year, while others offer ten years of structural coverage. The 10-year structural warranty typically covers load-bearing beams, foundation defects, roof framing systems problems, and other structural issues.
While builder warranties are a great tool for homeowners, they are not comprehensive enough to cover everything that could go wrong with your home. For this reason, it is essential to know how home warranties differ from builder warranties.