Eight questions to ask your home builder to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth.
1) Ask for a clear, detailed contract
Some contracts come with a number of hidden costs, indirect expenses, and maybe even pending costs, which may serve as a way to hide the costs that will surface later, inflating your total amount. Ensure that the contract you sign is free of these items – leaving no avenues for you to be cheated out of your money later.
2) By when will the house be ready?
Get a fixed date in place regarding when all construction will be complete and your house will be ready. This will come in handy when you need to file the required paperwork and will prove useful in case of delays, when you might need to take legal action. It will also ensure that the builder knows you mean business.
3) Find out if you can have access to the house during construction
By ensuring that you can visit the construction site regularly, not only will your builder get the work done faster, but this also helps you come across as an aware, knowledgeable home buyer who cannot be taken for a ride.
4) Ask about deadlines for changes
Many home buyers like to be actively involved in the design and construction of their new houses. Ask your builder to test his openness to use your ideas and innovations into his existing plans. It’s always good to get an estimated fixed deadline – this gives you a heads up regarding the completion date. This will help you not only keep a tab on how work is progressing but will also help you get closer to your dream house.
5) Ask about the energy-saving options in the construction
The six star is the minimum energy efficiency rating. Find out how much energy will be saved by a particular kind of construction or layout, and compare this with other layouts if you are certain that energy costs can be optimized in alternate ways.
6) Question promotions
Most builders may offer special discounts and other offers when trying to convince you to buy a home. Dissect these to make sure that they aren’t simply inflated offers and that you are getting enough value for your money.
7) Ask if the display will match the final product
While display houses are usually overdone and extravagant, the same often fails to translate into the final product. Do not be distracted by things like high ceilings, extravagant chandeliers, and so on in the display pieces as you may be disappointed with your final outcome. Remember, they are called display pieces because they are meant to draw your attention – which means they often put style over functionality, something that you do not want in a house you intend to live in.
8) Inquire about the kinds of warranty on offer
Most builders will have a variety of warranty clauses for different houses, and it is important to find a right fit to ensure a stress-free stay in your new house.
