16 July 2020

Building a new home can be intimidating, as you have to be able to trust someone else with your vision and investment. Asking the right questions is key to feeling confident in your choice and coming out the other side with the home of your dreams.

Here are some questions you should ask your builder before you start construction on your new home.

1. Is your builder licensed and insured?

You’ll want to make sure the crews working on your home are licensed to the standards held by the Ontario College of Trades, registered with WSIB and have a list of current references.

2. What is their time commitment to you?

Does your builder have a reputation for building quality homes and finishing on time and on budget? This is a key factor that can make or break a project. Some great builders will even be willing to work with you to meet a closing date that works for you 

3. Are there any hidden costs?

All those little extras can add up if you aren’t careful. That’s why it’s important to have all of your costs outlined in a clear contract that you review with your builder before the work begins.

4. Will they be available for communication during the process?

You should be able to contact your builder almost any time you need to talk to them, and they shouldn’t have any delay in getting back to you. Great builders will often have a coordinator assigned to you who is available for communication throughout, granting you peace of mind and an active voice in the project.

5. How do they choose sub-contractors?

Your builder will likely use a multitude of sub-contractors. To ensure that your home is high-quality, it can be wise to ask them what their selection criteria is. Good builders will rely on licensed, local contractors that they have long-standing relationships with.

6. What if I change my mind about the details?

Building a home can be overwhelming and there are so many options for finishes that you may change your mind. You’ll want to know what their change policy is before you go into any work so that you know how much time you have to change your mind and if there will be any extra cost incurred to do so.

7. What happens after the work is done?

You may need some follow-up or warranty work, or have to make a service call if something isn’t working properly. Does your builder stand behind their work, or are they done as soon as they give you the keys? Knowing what you can expect after the project is finished can indicate a lot about the builder.

Choosing a builder can seem to be a daunting task. There are several factors to take into consideration, but working with a real estate agent and asking targeted questions can help you separate the good from the great. One builder I love to recommend is Remley Homes. They meet all of the criteria I look for in a builder and ace the questions above. They stand behind their work, communicate well, accommodate their clients, and deliver high-quality custom homes. Want to build the home of your dreams? Let’s work together to make it happen.