How Did I End Up With the Worst Builder In Town Constructing My Home?
You start interviewing Builders to construct you new Custom Home and circle back to a Builder that meets all your criteria only to find that now his schedule is full. How could that be when only a few weeks ago he was available?
Most Owners are unaware, when they are interviewing a Builder he is also interviewing them. He’s asking himself, can I meet their expectations? How difficult is it going to be to work with theses Owners? If I build their home, am I going to end up making my target overhead and profit? If after a few meetings your Builder is now too busy or he provides an estimated contract price that is way out of line with the market. Perhaps, he is trying to tell you something?
Sometimes homebuyers just push too hard for the deal. Instead of interviewing three Builders, they interview ten. They don’t ask the Builder about his quality, process, satisfied homeowners and service, they are focused only on the price. What is the best price you can give me per square foot? All signals that the only thing that is important to that Homebuyer is getting the best deal. Sure, price is always an important factor but it can’t be the all important one. Builders know there is always going to be someone that’s cheaper but what about quality and service, aren’t those important too?
A Builder may ask, have you built a home before? What was that experience like? What did you like and what didn’t meet your expectations? If you trash the other Builder over little items perhaps you have unreasonable expectations?
I once had a first meeting with a couple and they shared their last experience building a home. They said, I have no idea how the last Builder made any money? The Owner’s wife was an attorney and he was retired. The husband said, he was going to visit the job every day to make sure it was going to be built correctly. The wife wanted to review the building contract and include a $100/day penalty clause for late delivery. All signals this was going to be a really tough build.
After all, Builders are in the business to make a reasonable profit. That’s not going to be possible with an unreasonable Homeowner. Better to find that out in the first meetings rather than half way through the construction process. Initial meetings are like dates, Owners and Builder’s are figuring out whether or not they want to continue dating? If the Owners push to hard they may end up with the best Builders saying, I’m just too busy and end up with the worst Builder in town. A Builder that ends up taking the worst deals because that’s the only deals he can get.
Building a Custom Home is all about entering a relationship. Most Homeowners are looking for a fair deal and so is the Builder.
What Do Homeowners Want From A Successful Custom Home Building Experience?
From the Homeowners perspective:
1. A Builder that listens.
2. Timely communication.
3. On time and within the budget requirements.
4. Minimal stress.
5. A home that meets the families needs.
6. Excellent service after the home is completed.
7. Great resale potential.
8. Help with future home issues even after the warranty period.
What Do Builders Want From A Successful Custom Home Building Experience?
From the Builders perspective:
1. Homeowners that are willing to be guided because they trust the Builder's judgement.
2. Decisions made timely.
3. Clearly communicate what they want.
4. Minimal changes once construction begins.
5. Treat the Builder fairly.
6. Timely payments.
7. An excellent reference for future buyers.
8. Encourage the Builder to show their home to new home building prospects.
9. Look for opportunities to help the Builder sign more home building deals.
Have an awesome day?
Mike
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