Deciding to build your own home is a very exciting experience as you’re able to make it into exactly what you have always dreamed of. At the same time, this process can also be overwhelming at times when it comes to working with your home builder to ensure all of your requirements are met. There are so many different factors that go into building a home that you will have to consider. If you are on the fence about whether or not you should build your own home or if you are sure about building your own home and just want some of your questions answered, keep reading. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about building a new home for you and your family.
Questions to consider before the home building process begins
1. How many people are in your family?
This is obviously a very important aspect to take into consideration when building a home. The number of people that will be living in your new home will determine how much square footage and bedrooms you will need in order to comfortably live. If you plan on expanding your family in the future, that is also important to consider when determining your home size. Along with this, you should also consider how many years you plan to stay in this home with your family. Long-term? Short-term?
2. What’s the reputation of your home builder?
While there are many different builders out there, each one of these builders are different. That’s why it’s crucial to do your own in-depth research regarding the builder you are considering hiring before you actually hire them. Building a new home is a huge investment, so in order to be successful spend the time investing in researching many different builders in your area. Here at JTB Homes, our team has over 75 years of combined experience and worked with many satisfied homeowners across West Michigan.
3. Where do you want your dream home to be built?
This is a question that may seem simple on the surface, but once you dig into it, it’s not always that easy. Say you know that you want a house in Spring Lake, Michigan – you have to also decide what community you want to build in. Take certain factors into consideration such as where your children might be attending school or convenience of nearby grocery stores and retail centers. These are just a couple of aspects that should go into your decision when it comes to determining where your new home will be built.
4. Are there any homeowners’ rules or requirements?
If you decide to build within an already established community, there can be different rules and regulations that will have to be followed in the building process and by you as the future homeowner. It could be the case that there is a homeowner’s association that requires certain rules to be followed and dues to be paid yearly. On the other hand, your builder may also have specific guidelines for what’s allowed on your property and what’s not allowed. Be sure to check with your builder beforehand to see if any of these requirements are applicable to your property.
5. How long will the building process take?
There are many different factors that will be considered when estimating when your new home construction will be complete. It’s important to get a timeline from your builder for a relative date when everything will be complete. Depending on specific customizations or other added features, this can also extend the length of your building process. Also, keep in mind that delays and other unforeseeable circumstances are possible to happen and can potentially move your initial timeline.
6. Can modifications be made throughout the construction process?
Depending on the builder and the neighborhood that you are building in, you may be offered free reign to make any modifications accompanied by additional costs. On the other hand, sometimes there will be a variety of floor plans that are already created, and you can then choose from those. Contact your individual builder to see which one of these options apply to your situation.
7. Can your builder provide you with past homes and client reviews?
As stated before, building a home is one of the biggest investments you will make in life, so you want to make sure it’s done right the first time around. The best way to know if the final product will be what you expect is by asking your builder for portfolios of previous homes that they have successfully constructed along with any client reviews. Most likely, you can use the internet to find business reviews from previous customers. If a builder is proud of his/her work, they should be very willing to present you with previous client reviews and pictures. If not, this could be a red flag. Doing this is very helpful in assessing the reputability and quality of your potential home builder.
8. What is the builder’s plan to handle obstacles during the building process?
As we all know, not everything in life goes exactly as planned and this also holds to be true about building a new home. Maybe there are delays in materials shipment, weather, or as of now, we are experiencing a national pandemic. It’s important that your builder has an established and effective plan for overcoming any of these obstacles. This can truly make or break your home building experience as a whole.
Any questions?
If you still have unanswered questions about building your new home, please feel free to contact JTB Homes at any time. We have an expert team standing by with the knowledge and industry experience to answer any questions you might have regarding the building process or even if you just want to see previous work. We are here for you and we hope to help you create the home of your dreams in West Michigan!