(ARA) - While older homes provide unique charm,
they also come with many headaches and constant home repairs. To avoid
the hassles that older homes entail, many homebuyers are choosing to
build their homes.
But before you begin choosing home designs and
countertop colors, you need to choose your builder. Doing a bit of research
when choosing your builder will help to make sure your dream of homebuilding
doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Check your sources
Finding out about your builder’s past experience
will help you get a better idea of their quality and customer satisfaction.
Word of mouth is a great place to start. Find out what experiences others
in your area have had with builders. In addition, contact the Better
Business Bureau and the city building department to find out if there
are any formal grievances made against the builder. Better Business
Bureau information can be accessed at www.bbb.org.
Do they glue and screw?
Have you ever had a squeaky floorboard in your
home or notice nails popping out of drywall? Worse yet, you hear everything
going on in the next room through the walls? These small details can
create a large annoyance for homeowners. To avoid these pesky squeaks,
pops and noise, ask potential homebuilders if they “glue and screw”
their floors and drywall.
For sub-floors, quality builders will add a layer
of adhesive, such as Pro-Series SF-400 Sub-floor Adhesive or PL 400
Sub-floor Adhesive in addition to screwing down the sub-floor. This
will prevent boards from moving and rubbing, which causes squeaks. For
drywall installation, adding a layer of adhesive, such as Pro-Series
Formula 38 Drywall Adhesive, will reduce the amount of nail pops that
you’ll experience as the house settles, as well as reduce sound transmission
through your walls. For more information on the benefits of gluing and
screwing, visit www.osiproseries.com or www.stickwithPL.com.
What are your homes’ energy ratings?
Energy efficiency is a top priority for most
homebuyers. Ask potential builders what energy rating their homes receive.
The home energy rating is a standard measurement of a home's energy
efficiency, rated using a Star rating. A 1-Star home would be very inefficient,
with a 5-Star or Energy Star home being highly efficient. Energy Star
homes not only save as much as 30 percent or more on energy costs associated
with the home, but in addition, can allow homeowners to qualify for
energy-efficient mortgages. (www.energystarhomes.com)
Quality in the Brands
When comparing builders, be sure you are comparing
apples to apples. While one builder may quote a lower price, it may
be that you are sacrificing higher quality materials to be used. Be
sure to review the custom features of the homes, such as safety features
and product lines used. Pay close attention to details of what brands
of products the builder will be installing in the home. Quality brand
name cabinets, paint, trim, furnace, air conditioning, windows and floor
coverings may increase the overall cost of building your home, but will
save you money over the long-run of your home. For more information
on building your new home, visit the National Association of Home Builders
at www.nahb.org.
Building a home will be one of the biggest investments
of your lifetime, so be sure to take all the necessary steps to ensure
that you find the best builder for your home.
Courtesy of ARA Content
