Spring 2014 — Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association
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Building a new house is an exciting and mind-
boggling experience for you but for the builder
it is familiar routine. Sometimes it is hard for
you to know the right questions to ask and for
the builder to point out things they assume you
already know. Building your new house should
not (and cannot) be a passive exercise. There are many decisions
that have to be made, by you. Where you are unable, or unwilling to
make decisions, you will force the builder to make them. To make
sure your new home fulfills your own vision, follow these guidelines:
Understand Your Contract
Make sure to read the contract and understand what your
obligations are. You are paying for the knowledge of the builders
-- their experience and ability. PLUS you are paying your builders a
profit above their expenses. Make sure everything is in writing and
if you add or delete items after the contract is signed keep good
records of all changes.
Be Flexible
Be ready and prepared to resolve situations and problems by
compromising. Be aware, however, of what you may be giving up
in this process -- examine and understand both sides. Understand
that construction is an imperfect science. This combined with
natural elements (site conditions, weather, materials, human error)
means that things could change, must be changed, or simply exceed
capabilities. Flat-out errors do happen, there is no such thing as
a perfect home. Absolute perfection or your idea of perfection
may not (and more than likely, will not) be achieved. Drastic
imperfections, however, can be corrected, and they should be. It is
within your rights to require this.
Keep Records
Things not clearly and specifically noted, written, described, or
shown will be interpreted, by both sides; there must be a meeting
of minds where interpretations are fully understood and resolved.
When this does not happen, expect dispute, confrontation,
frustration, and perhaps even litigation. Follow up verbal
discussions and instructions with written verification. Keep records
of all correspondence, samples you approve, phone calls, model/
type/style numbers, and the like.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK
• What is a good design for our needs?
• What problems do I have in my current house
that I don't want to repeat?
• Where can I find answers and help? How do I
make my desires known?
• What does that line on the drawing mean?
• Is that a good material, I've never heard of it?
• Can I change things?
• Who picks the color of the paint, wall coverings, etc.?
• Is landscaping included? Sod? Seed? Mud
and rocks? Who is responsible for irrigation?
Are landscape features guaranteed?
The Bottom Line
The more time and effort spent up-front planning, designing, and
understanding, as well as in establishing specifics of the project,
the better the chance for a smoother transaction and a satisfactory
result for all parties involved.
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REALTOR'S PERSPECTIVE
Building a New Home? Things You Should Know...
Melissa Wegener, CNE, CRS, SRES Licensed in the States of Illinois and Iowa, Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors
