When you have a building plan and have zeroed in on a contractor, it can be tempting to speed through the contract signing so they can start immediately. However, your home should be a lifetime investment. Even if you’re planning to sell it, later on, you need to be confident in your project’s quality. 

One way to secure that is by getting a good contractor. To be sure of your house builder, you need to know the following things about their work process. Keep reading to learn five concerns you must discuss with your builder before they start.

Their registration and previous projects

You need to look at your contractor’s previous work so you can confirm whether they are able to translate a vision into action. Don’t be content with a visual portfolio. See if you can visit the actual buildings. It is good to see these structures when they have been up for a few years, so you can have an idea of how their projects stand the test of time.

In your initial meetings, you should also ask your builder about their registration and insurance. Do not sign a contract without knowing how they protect their company. If they have a builder’s risk insurance policy, it tells you that they are serious about delivering on quality projects.

What exactly is in your contract

Before signing, you should go over every item listed under your house cost. Some builders will include non-essentials like internal painting. Other contracts might have internal conflicts or inconsistencies among documents.

For example, the plan might call for an ensuite bathroom in the master’s bedroom. However, the specifications did not factor plumbing into that part of the house. You must determine the scope of work clearly, and require your builder to attach necessary documents like permits, plans and specifications, and equipment lists.

The timeline and possible contingencies

Your builder must keep you informed of everything happening during the construction of your home. You should have the contact number of both the site manager and the client liaison assigned to your project. This way, you ensure that the project runs on schedule.

Sometimes, unscrupulous builders cause delays in construction. In other cases, extensions are excusable, like if there were delays in your payment, changes to the scope of work, or poor weather and similar “acts of God.”

Whether or not they provide a warranty

You need to confirm the warranty period of your builder. You should also ask them about what defects they will cover, and clarify what your obligations are. Some builders do not include a warranty in writing, so you must ask for it in that case. 

If the contract does have a warranty, you must determine whether its fine print prevents you from claiming full compensation should there be a dispute in the future. Of course, you would want to maintain a cordial working relationship with the contractor. Sometimes, though, disputes are unavoidable, and you’d need to protect yourself.

How they ensure quality

A pivotal part of the construction process is quality control. Craftsmanship should be apparent from the foundations to the finishes. Your builder, therefore, must have a qualified site supervisor. If you can, meet with this person beforehand, and ask how they will be involved in the project.

You should also know if the builder will be hiring any subcontractors. It would be good to consult with a real estate lawyer about your contracts and the contracts your builder will enter with third party providers. Knowing who will be working on your site will help you craft a payment scheme that works for everybody.

The bottom line

Having an excellent builder is more than getting talented craftsmen who can work within a schedule. A good contractor will have the details of a project down and will provide you with the proper documentation and all the reassurance you need.

If you’re looking for a contractor in Richmond Hill, ON, consider working with SIBA Homes. We have a combined twenty years of experience in home building and are committed to providing top-quality work and excellent client service. Contact us today and let us talk about how we can make your dream home a reality.