Better Than Bidding
Identifying the best pro to build your new home starts by clarifying your wants and needs.
Should you heed the conventional advice about getting price bids from three builders? Maybe, but once you understand the complexities and uncertainties that go into a bid, you will see why there may be a more effective approach.
The biggest concern with the three-bid method for deciding on a builder is that a custom home is, by definition, unique. The hundreds of processes and thousands of parts that go into a project make it tough to ensure that each bid uses the same assumptions.
If you already have a set of plans and want apples-to-apples bids, your plans need to be excruciatingly detailed, including written specifications for each faucet, floor surface, door knob, etc., & have clear requirements for the many applications (ie. crack resistant substrates, type of water heating / circulation pumps, HVAC systems, wiring / sub-panels, spec's, etc., etc.). Specs like that are rare, to say the least. To create an accurate bid, the builder would need to ask a ton of questions to flush out the details. Then each builder will unintentionally lead you in a different direction because their business procedures and preferred products will differ. And each builder will present the bid in a different format from the others, making them almost impossible to compare.
Bidding has another drawback in that it reduces everything to cost. Yes, cost is crucial--everyone has a budget--but so is finding a builder with the right experience, process and personality for you and your project.
If you don't have a builder in mind, an excellent approach is to interview three builders, focusing on identifying a good fit, not on shopping for price. With the planning piece, construction & warranty period, you are committing to a business relationship that should last for many years. The builder should be someone you like and trust and will enjoy working with. Follow your gut. Part of a good match is personal compatibility, and part is how the builder does business. Make sure the builder communicates effectively and answers your questions and that you are comfortable with their processes and way of doing business.
If you're already working with an architect, then it's best to choose the builder just after conceptual design and prior to fully engineered drawings. With both professionals involved from the beginning, the builder can create budget estimates as the plans get drawn. This is the best way to avoid ending up with a design you love but can't afford.
PS. Project planning & preparation is our favorite part of the job! Contact us with any questions & / or collaborations.
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