HomeContractorQuote.com - What would you look for in a contractor to build you dream home?

What would you look for in a contractor to build you dream home?

I am a building contractor. I am asking for research purposes only. Just want to give my clients everything they deserve.

Public Comments

Document every single little update, change, promise, etc. and hold yourself to it. Give them a signed copy and keep one to remind yourself.
I would look for a detailed, organized, and most importantly, straightforward contractor. The contractor should be responsible, and appropriate. That, and good quality.
References from previous clients - preferably written & options for future prospective clients to telephone them. A builders gold licence (Australia) or equivilent. The ability to converse with your prospective client, spend quality time with them to assist in planning their "dream" home, helping to select the elements needed (tiles, fencing, roofing, floorplan, fixtures & colour scheme). Another point is try to make yourself available to answer any questions or solve problems. NEVER palm clients off to "the secretary or business partner". Good luck with your business! Remember, treat your clients with respect & your business will grow. One peeved client = 1,000 lost customers, 1 happy client = 100 new clients
AHH.. my favorite... I want to build my house so here are my questions.... I'll add more as they come :) How much will you charge for sq. ft.? How many days will it take for the house to be completed? Are you working the weekends or not? Do you do the customizing or is that something I can pick out for you to do? How would you like payment? What is your warranty on the house? Do you have a 2 year warranty like big name builders? What is I decide for build a small shed in my back yard and I want it to look like my custom home would you do that? How often should i meet with you during the stages of my house being built? You do have stages right? Will my house be on a schedule - can I get a copy of that schedule? Now, if I were building my house over 2,000 miles would that be a problem for you? Or would I have to pay for your traveling? Do you have a dependable team with you or you going to hire another person to do the work? How long have you been in business? Could I pick from you previous clients to see their home and hear their experience? Can I see your house you built? Or did you build your house? I think that is enough now.... :)
1) Before and after pictures accompanied by reference letters 2) Registered with the BBB - better business bureau (hopefully with no complaints) 3) Perhaps a on time guarantee program - meaning whether permitting and such but, if you run over your allotted date of construction due to fault of yours, that would be attractive to buyers. 4) Incentives - within reason 5) Someone who returns phone calls when messages are left and if you hire an assistant - ensure they are very friendly and knowledgeable. 6) Be friendly and give advice and agree a lot unless you know for sure something won't work. 7) Work with a "local" friendly bank that you can advise your clients to visit. 8) Don't be greedy - it takes money to make money. Depending on the price of the home purchased, give free upgrades or lets say, the first 5 people to hire me as their builder will receive a LCD/Plasma TV installed. 9) Confidence but, not cocky. 10) Employee a female contractor - showing you are not biases. 11) Introduce your team to the owners.
TRUST....trust that he/she can get the job done, on time, (sorta) on budget...no mind changing.( on the part of the clients...(make them MAKE UP THIER MINDS NOW, not later). You need to have a sympathetic ear. (but let it go in one ear and out the other...personal problems they will tell you about, are NOT YOURS). Don't let children be a part of the process. ( I know parents want children to be in everything these days, but they don't pay the bills and they don't do construction, so they shouldn't be let in on the process.) Be firm...be nice, but don't be a pushover... Be responsible, respectful and reasonable... If you have a problem, tell people right away, no matter what the time of day or night...better to know now, than to be told later and have no choice in the matter. (too many choices make some people crazy...they never know what they want...) I personally like decisive people...no nonsense... I like fun, but theres a place and time for everything and work isn't always that time or place. Good luck !!!
dont act hungry, a good contractor is busy. dont make promises you know you cant keep just to get job. be prompt to appointments. make eye contact. when dealing with couples,sell the wife, she will sell her husband. be polite and to the point.
Honesty and dependability. Someone who is willing to listen to my ideas on building the home. Someone who doesn't cost an arm and a leg but will do the best job. Trust is a good foundation for all businesses. People dont want to have to worry about what you are doing all the time. If you are ripping them off, if you are actually doing the work up to code and that the men that work for you are honest also. Do good quality workmanship and your reputation will spread so fast you will have more than you can handle.