Home Builders
Latest Home Builders Articles
-
New Construction
Do It Yourself Building Challenges
Building your own home as a do it yourself project is a major undertaking. Before you calculate all the man-hours required to build your house. It is not something that can be done part time. Be sure you have the time to do it properly. read more... -
Home Builders
Building Cost
Estimating the building cost of a new house involves a lot of factors. Building cost calculator software doesn’t always reflect current market conditions. You will need to do some research when estimating home building construction costs. read more... -
Home Builders
Tipping Etiquette for a Builder
Tipping a builder is not a bad idea, especially if he does superb work and you might use him again for different projects. But what to tip and how much can be a perplexing problem. You might be surprised at what could be the perfect tip. read more... -
Home Builders
Construction Quality Control and Bad Home Builders
Construction quality control is important to people building new homes. They want to avoid bad home builders. Quality construction and construction quality inspections are two things that are very important to people buying new homes. The trouble is, most builders do not take the time to actually define quality. read more...
-
Home Builders
Visiting Your New Home
Jobsites are different with each contractor. Some are neat and very safe while others are not. New home builders need to walk through their job site often. Read my tips on what to look for about how your home is being built. If you don't like something, talk to your contractor right away. read more...
-
Home Builders
Different Construction Quality Levels
Quality construction seems to be, in some cases, what the customer is willing to accept. Not all contractors do quality work. Some are not as skillful as others. And some building materials will not withstand poor workmanship. New home construction customers should work hard to find a contractor that will perform quality work. read more... -
Home Builders
Construction Bids and Quotes
Construction bids can be confusing if you are comparing one to another. Sometimes one contractor is listing different things than the other. Sometimes you have trouble getting construction bids from a contractor at all. And, why is the price so high? Is it all profit? read more... -
Home Builders
Negligent and Arrogant Builders
New home builders won't scare you off if you consider adding the right provisions in your contract. Specifications will keep your contractor from bullying you into accepting his poor workmanship. Contract law attorneys can help with the contract and save you from stress. read more...
-
Home Builders
Hunting For A Professional
Contractors come in all skill levels. To find the plumber, carpenter, painter or roofer that will do a professional job you must go where they go. Check with the supply houses who sell to these contractors, ask for recommendations. Get the right information about the right contractor for you. read more... -
Home Builders
15 Helpful Clauses for Construction Contracts
Deposit clauses, insurance warranties and escrow? You'll have to know the following terms and more in order to write construction contracts. Here is a list of 15 helpful clauses to know before you sign a construction contract. read more...
-
Home Builders
Construction Contract Plans & Specifications
Construction contracts can be very complex or they can be simple. The best ones I have seen contain easy to understand language and are written as a person talks. The sentences are short, concise and clear. You know exactly what is going to happen. You can get into trouble with contracts if they become long, complicated and wordy. In fact, some contracts are so goofed up that they actually contain conflicting statements! read more...
-
Home Builders
Construction Contracts
Construction contracts can save you headaches and money. Plans and specifications when added to the contract become an integral part of it. Deadlines, change orders and inspection issues should also be addressed. read more...
-
Home Builders
50 Contractor Interview Questions
The following contractor questions may make a few of you uncomfortable. You may gulp at trying to ask them. Well, before you give up, I want you to close your eyes and imagine $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 of your money just vanishing in thin air. If you hire the wrong contractor for your job, this is a distinct possibility. I know, because I get numerous e-mails each week from people who have been cheated by bad contractors. read more...
-
Home Builders
Building & Remodeling Trade Magazines
There are many, many different trade magazines. Virtually each aspect of building and remodeling has its own. For example, there are ones that cover just concrete, brick, heating and cooling, roofing, tile, etc. There simply are not enough hours in the day to read all of them! read more...
-
Home Builders
Asking Your Contractor Questions
One of my editors asked me to write this particular column. We were together with several other people in the press lounge at the National Association of Home Builders Show in Dallas, Texas. One of the people in the group needed to hire a contractor and asked me exactly how to spot a pro. Once I finished answering the question, the editor said that she wanted me to write a column about the same subject. read more...
-
Home Builders
Find a Pro by Asking the Right Questions
Job interviews are the best way to see if the contractor you want to hire will be able to do the work you want. Ask the contractor about his business, the kind of trade magazines he subscribes to, his management habits. Get references from the supply houses where he buys materials. What do they know about the quality of his work? read more... -
Home Builders
New Home Construction Cost Breakdown
New home construction is a major undertaking for a non-builder general contractor. House plans and details specifications are important means of conveying information to the sub-contractors. A new home construction cost breakdown list just might save you money. read more...
-
Home Builders
General Contracting 101
General contracting on your new home construction is a huge undertaking for the non builder. House plans and specifications are your best means of communicating with your sub-contractors. Make sure the quality of these is the best. Be there when your subs are working. Don't assume that things will be done the way you want if you aren't there. read more... -
Home Builders
The Contractor Selection Interview
Contractors need to go through a job interview with you in order for you to know what type of abilities they have. Ask about professional designations, association memberships and the types of trade journals he reads. Verify the memberships by making a few calls. Learn all you can about what your contractor knows. read more...
-
Home Builders
Building & Remodeling Magazines & Associations
When it comes to building and remodeling, both homeowners and remodelers/builders have a wealth of information from which to choose. There are countless magazines, books, periodicals, technical journals and trade association literature to stay informed. All it takes is a little initiative on the part of an individual who wants to learn. read more...
