Country Club Homes, Inc., a leading Fairfield County custom home builder since 1955, offers the following tips for area residents who are considering building a custom new home, or renovating their current home. Reflecting our desire to educate residents who may be considering remodeling or building a custom new home, Carolyn Wheeler, of Country Club Homes, shares her expertise on the following three of five helpful tips, to help guide individuals as they face the challenging process of hiring a builder.

If you missed Part I, you will find it on the blog, entitled: ‘Tips When Hiring a Fairfield County Builder – Part I’. The last three tips are as follows:

3. Chemistry

• You will be spending a lot of time with your Builder and his or her staff.  Make sure you are comfortable with their personalities and feel you can trust them.
• No project is without complications.  Does your Builder seem like someone who would be reasonable to deal with when issues arise?
• Communication is key throughout the building process, so ask questions about how your Builder communicates with his or her clients.

4. Staffing

• Except for the simplest of projects where a one man show may be able to manage things, make sure your Builder has the people to get things done efficiently and on a timely basis.
• Is there someone to get the punch list items done at the end of the project?
• Will there be someone who has the time and ability to research products or comparison shop for you?

 5. Contracts

• Every project should have a contract, no matter the size.
• Each contract should have a start and end date, as well as a detailed description of the work to be done and the materials to be used.
• Either materials should be spelled out, or reasonable allowances should be given for you to select your own items.
• The payment schedule should be included in the contract, and make sure that payments are based on specific tasks being completed.  In this fashion, you can be sure that you don’t get ahead of the Builder, should there be delays in the project.
• Prior to making a scheduled payment, make sure you receive signed lien waivers.  This will help insure that no subcontractor will place a lien on your property for monies owed them by your Builder.
• Make sure all change orders are in writing specifying both the additional cost to the project, as well as any delays to the schedule.
• A reputable Builder will provide a one-year guarantee on workmanship and materials.

Country Club Homes, Inc. hopes you find these tips to be helpful.  Our contract tips are by no means all inclusive, and we suggest that you speak with an attorney when reviewing, and, ultimately, signing a contract with a Builder.

Good luck with your project!”