990,508 Home Builders

What exactly do home builders do?

Before any nails are hammered down, construction companies perform market research to determine whether the prospective sites for new homes make sense in the chosen market. They also survey the land on which the home will be built to make sure it is suitable for construction, and obtain any necessary permits.

Home builders are like captains of a ship – aside from construction, they must supervise contractors; keep tabs on local council regulations, building codes and neighbourhood concerns; inspect work for problems along the way; and perform dozens of other roles that are essential in building a quality home. Here are some related professionals and vendors to complement the work of home builders: Interior Designers & Decorators, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Architects, Kitchen & Bathroom Designers, Specialty Contractors.

Home builders are responsible for ensuring that the home building project sticks as closely as possible to the specified timetable, which can very easily be jeopardised by the likes of bad weather and late deliveries. When construction timetables do change – and this can be often! – the home builder must adjust everyone’s schedule accordingly. As the home construction is underway, they also must ensure contractors adhere to all relevant building codes. Custom and luxury home builders also need interpersonal skills to deal with clients of all types, soothe frazzled nerves, negotiate conflicts and resolve problems. For example, it is up to he or she to decide whether or not to pull the plug or put a conveyance on hold, even if the contractor wants to move forward.

Questions to ask a prospective home builder:

How many projects like mine have you completed?

Who will be working on the project?

Are you and your employees licensed and insured?

What license(s) do you have?

How do you charge, and what does that include?

Can you give me a written estimate?

How will I be charged for parts and materials?

When can your job get done?

What is your policy for change orders?

What happens when the cost exceeds the budget? What about changes to materials or labour pricing?

What will I need to provide?

Are there any important considerations or concerns you foresee with this project?

Find a home builder on Houzz. Scroll through this page to find contractors in your area. Then, click on a professional to browse photos of their latest projects and see how their work compares to the scope of your project. Read reviews to see how other homeowners rate their work, and message the home builder or construction company directly to ask any specific questions.