It’s still early in the new year and many of us are still in the frame of mind that says, “Out with the old and in with the new!” In the world of homebuilding there always seems to be something new—and we’ll all be reading stories about what’s hot in home design and colors for a while. But is “out with the old and in with the new” a good approach when it comes to choosing your homebuilder?
Don’t get me wrong: There are a lot of great new ideas and technologies that have made the homes we build better, more energy efficient, and more comfortable than homes that were built just 20 years ago. Creativity and new ways of thinking about things are great. But there’s something to be said or experience as well. Here are a few reasons why it’s important to build with an experienced builder.
Problems Don’t Bother Experienced Builders
A homebuilder who has been around for years has already dealt with a wide variety of construction issues. Whether it’s getting the right permits pulled, or dealing with a lot preparation before build—or even working with clients who want to make changes to the plans, an experienced builder isn’t going to be thrown for a loop. In fact, often an experienced builder can help a homeowner avoid missteps in the first place.
Experienced Builders Have a Wealth of Knowledge to Draw On
Sometimes finding a solution to your homebuilding questions (or desires) comes from having been through similar situations with other clients. A builder who has built a lot of homes has a big database of past successes from which to work. Your solution may look a bit different, but it’s probably based on something your experienced builder knows will work—because he or she has done it before.
Experience Builders Know People
We’ve all heard, “It’s not what you know, it’s whom you know.” The thing is, when you’re building a new home, it’s both. Experienced builders know which sub-contractors (plumbers, electricians, drywall installers, painters, etc.) are the best and most reliable. They are going to be careful about who else comes into your home because they’ve dealt with the best.
A Builder with Experience Knows the Difference Between a Fad and a Trend
As I mentioned earlier, new ideas can be great. But there’s a difference between a trend (something that develops over time) and a fad (that focuses on what’s “hot”). Click here for an article that explores the difference between a trend and a fad in more detail. Builder who have been around for a while know which ideas have staying power.
Of course there’s more to choosing the right builder than simply seeing how long he or she has been in business. Here’s a helpful post that covers some important information on how to interview a potential builder so that you select the one that’s right for you.
