Instructions

Comparing different builders can be tricky especially because every builder wants to try to convince you that they are the best. Television commercials and pamphlets cannot be trusted as builders can print almost anything that they like in order to win your business. You will have to do some more investigating if you are really going to be able to compare different builders and choose the one that you think is the best option for your project.

How to compare different builders

 Look at the finished product - All builders worth working with are going to have a portfolio or publication of some sort that displays their work. Look through these publications to make sure that you are only looking at builders who have experience doing the type of building that you are looking for. Look for the different styles, materials and contractors that the builders use and compare these features between builders.

 Ask other customers for their opinions - Unhappy customers are usually very vocal about their dissatisfaction with how they were treated by a builder. Keep an ear out for these negative stories and you will get a good idea of what builders you should avoid. Conversely, ask those that you know about the builders that they used. Ask for specific experiences where they were particularly pleased or for situations that could have been handled better.

 Ask for a meeting with your builder for a personal interview - Once you have gotten a good idea of what various builders are all about, you can start to narrow your options. When you feel like you get to the point where your decision on a builder is between two or three companies, ask for a meeting with your builder for a personal interview. Be prepared for these meetings by having written down questions that you still have that have remained unanswered despite your research. Listen and watch carefully to how the builder responds and be aware of your ability to communicate with one another. If you seem to be getting along well with the builder this is a good sign. You must be able to communicate clearly and handle disputes effectively with your builder.

 Price quotes - Often times price is the deciding factor when it comes to deciding between a couple of different builders. Obviously we are all looking for a deal and if there are three builders who are all acceptable (from what you have researched) and one of them is less expensive than the others the choice may seem obvious. Just one word of caution; if the price is too low you might want to start asking questions to make sure that you are not going to be getting a second rate effort to save a buck or two.

Other tips and warnings

Comparing different builders is going to be hard work and it will take time. But with so much at stake it is best to invest the time now in making a good decision than to be faced with having to fire and hire a new builder mid-project.