The Building Process...

One of the first and most important decisions you will need to make is to choose the right custom contractor for you.
You will spend a great deal of time and money with the custom contractor on your building project.
Plan to put some extra time into the selection of the builder before you begin construction.

Below we have provided a checklist for some things you need to be thinking about when choosing your contractor:

1. The contractor should be licensed and insured. Ask for certificate of insurance. Contact you city or county building inspectors to find out what type of licenses are required for your area.
2. CHECK REFERENCES! Contact past clients and if possible, visit their building site. Sample questions to ask:
             Was the job done per specifications?
             Was it completed in a timely fashion?
             Did the job stay on budget, accounting for change orders?
             Was the job site kept clean and orderly?
             How were conflicts resolved?
3. VISIT three projects built by the contractor:
   A. One under construction - check the "bone structure". Ask for a materials specification sheet to understand what types of building materials are used.
   B. A newly completed project.
   C. A project over 5 years old to see how the building has held up over time.
4. Compare "apples to apples": Make sure bids reflect exactly the same plans and materials specifications. A low bidder may not be using the quality of products you desire.
5. Personality conflicts can spoil the best project. Can you get along with this person for the duration of the building process?

One of the questions asked is,
"What are our responsibilities as the homeowner is the building process?"

This is an important question, we have prepared a list of eight important areas that you, as the homeowner, should be prepared to assume the responsibility of assuming:

1. Be prepared to meet regularly at your contractor's office or at the job site during weekday business hours. Children and pets with be more comfortable at home during these appointments.
2. Put everything in writing - don't assume anything. This includes any changes or decisions that arise during the construction process.
3. Be aware of emotional costs - Projects can run over the original budget because the homeowners start to feel that "we may only build once-...we deserve this-...I have always dreamed of that", only to discover at the end of the project that they have emotionally increased the cost of the house by thousands of dollars! See rule #2.
4. Expect weather delays, material backorders, compromises, illnesses, holidays and family events to interfere with your project's progress. If non of these happen, consider yourself lucky!
5. Organize your ideas - visit model homes, collect magazine pictures, write down questions and keep files of folders to bring to each meting with your contractor. See Rule #2.
6. Be prepared to spend a great deal of time making a multitude of decisions that all contribute to the big picture - roof color to cabinet pulls, toilet paper holders to brick accents, cabinet style to carpet colors. See rule #2.
7. Be aware that you may have days when you are sick of the project, the builder, the decisions and with you had never gotten started!! Postpone major decisions until you are feeling more upbeat.
8. Speak up! Most misunderstandings can be resolved by immediate communication. There are no dumb questions! Your contractor can help you find the answer to any of your questions!

• Foundation dug and poured
• Septic and well (where applicable)
• 1st floor joists, exterior walls and plywood
• 1st floor interior wall studs
• 2nd floor joists, exterior walls and plywood
• 2nd floor interior wall studs
• Roof framing, plywood shingles
• Windows and siding / brick
• Electrical, heating, and plumbing rough-ins
• Wallboard and finish textures
• Flooring underlayment
• Flooring, trim and doors
• Cabinets and plumbing fixtures
• Light fixtures
• closet shelves and door hardware