HOW TO SELECT A HOME BUILDER

HOW TO SELECT
A HOME BUILDER
Deciding to have a new home built marks the beginning of an exciting journey.
Whether that journey consists of smooth sailing or choppy waters depends greatly on
your choice of a builder. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. You will be giving a
very large sum of money to a stranger; trusting that they will provide you not only with
a valuable long-term investment, but with a comfortable and safe place for you and
your family to call home.
There are thousands and thousands of home builders across America – no two exactly alike. So… where to begin?
This guide is designed to help you answer that question, and hopefully quite a few others.
CONTENTS
Fundamental First Steps #1: What do you want?.....................................2
Fundamental First Steps #2: Let the hunt begin!....................................3
Fundamental First Steps #3: Qualities to look for................................4-5
Fundamental First Steps #4: Ask the right questions..............................6
Come Home to Cordera............................................................................7
CORDERA.COM
HOW TO SELECT A HOME BUILDER
FUNDAMENTAL FIRST STEPS: #1 – WHAT DO YOU WANT?
The first question you need to ask yourself is a simple one: What do I want? Seems simple enough,
but there are important factors that need to be considered before answering. As we mentioned
before, there are scores of builders out there, and no two are created the same. The trick is finding
the right one for you.
1. Where do you want to live?
In many cases, your selection of potential
home builders will be somewhat dictated
by your desired location. Depending on
where you want to build, you may have the
choice between local or national builders.
If you have narrowed down the location
to certain areas of a town or city, keep in
mind that many subdivisions and planned
communities will only allow certain builders
to construct within them.
2. What type of home do you want?
Different builders have different specialties
and styles. Visualize your ideal home. Is it
highly customized? What does the floor
plan look like? How large is the lot it is built
on? Are there certain building materials,
specs, or appliances you desire? Make note
of these specifics, as you will need to ask
potential builders if they are able to provide
what you are looking for - which leads us to
the next question…
3. How much can you afford?
Many home builders have a basic starting
price and graduate upward from that
amount based on a variety of factors. If you
are not reasonably sure of your budget,
consider working with a mortgage broker
or lender to gain pre-approval. Not only
will pre-approval from a lender give you a
more accurate idea of what size loan you
will be able to qualify for, it will give you
greater buying power and strengthen your
credibility with realtors and builders alike.
4. How soon do you want to move in?
Not all builders move at the same pace,
and some may have a waiting list. Keeping
in mind that really good things are often
worth waiting for, make sure you ask about
realistic timeframes when you talk with
potential builders.
CORDERA.COM
HOW TO SELECT A HOME BUILDER
FUNDAMENTAL FIRST STEPS: #2 – LET THE HUNT BEGIN!
Now that you have a very clear picture of what you want, you can start looking for the builder that
can make it happen.
1. Check with the local HBA (Home Builder’s
Association).
The HBA can be a valuable resource in your
search for the right home builder. To find
a list of regional HBA websites and contact
information online, visit the National
Association of Home Builder’s website at
http://www.nahb.org. Members of local
HBA chapters are required to abide by
the HBA code of ethics, and participate in
continued industry education. Membership
with the HBA is not required of all builders,
but it is generally a valid indication of a solid
reputation within the local construction
industry.
2. Ask your realtor, mortgage broker and/or
lender.
The individuals assisting you with
purchasing and financing should be able
to offer insights into local home builders’
areas of expertise, reputations, and starting
price points.
3. Talk with the community marketing and
sales representative.
If you have already decided on a
particular master planned community,
ask the community marketing and sales
representative for their input. They will have
detailed knowledge of approved builders
within their community, and will be able to
tell you which available builders will likely
be the best fit for you and your family.
4. Survey community members.
Explore the Master Planned Community’s
common areas, such as parks and community
centers; or simply take a walk through the
neighborhood. When the opportunity
presents itself, introduce yourself to passersby and ask them for their opinions on the
community. Most people will be more than
happy to chat and answer a few questions.
After all, they’ve probably been in your shoes
before! Alternatively, you can ask prospective
builders for a list of references – just bear in
mind that no one is as likely to offer unbiased
opinions as those unknown neighbors-to-be
just across the street.
CORDERA.COM
HOW TO SELECT A HOME BUILDER
FUNDAMENTAL FIRST STEPS: #3 – KNOW WHAT UNIVERSAL QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR.
There are some characteristics you should look for in all prospective candidates.
1. Reputation
You will feel a lot better about your eventual
decision knowing that your builder is well
respected within the community. As stated
before, most builders should be able to
produce a list of references, but it is still wise
to seek feedback from other sources. Don’t
hesitate to ask around!
3. Experience
In the construction industry experience
always counts. Find out how long your
builder has been in business and how many
homes they have built. Also ask how many
of their recently built homes are currently
occupied, and how many of their new
homes are still for sale.
4. Warranty
Dependable home builders back their
product without hesitation. The best home
builders are upfront about their warranties,
as they are confident in their construction.
Ask plenty of questions to eliminate any
confusion regarding what precisely is
covered and for how long.
Partly due to this reason, we favor selecting
local rather than national builders. There is
no doubt that there are a large number of
national builders that excel at their trade.
But by opting to choose locally you may
expect an added level of accountability. The
success of a local builder is heavily reliant
on word of mouth within their surrounding
communities. Plus, you can feel good about
contributing to the local economy!
2. Quality
This may seem obvious, but seeking a high
level of quality is a must. As you research
builders, look for quality in all aspects
of the organization. Does the builder’s
website display a high level of quality and
expertise? Is the receptionist courteous and
professional over the phone? Dedication to
quality is apparent in organizations that care,
and it will present itself at every opportunity.
Of course, a polite demeanor won’t ensure
the roof isn’t going to leak. Look carefully for
quality of construction. Take tours of model
homes. If you have decided on a specific
subdivision or master planned community, pay
special attention to the model homes in those
locations in particular. As architectural rules
vary from community to community, focusing
on those within the neighborhoods you are
most interested will give you the best idea of
what you can expect in terms of style and size.
5. Communication
Just as with quality, an organization’s
dedication to clear and open communication
will be apparent throughout all tiers of the
company. When settling on a builder, do all
you can to ensure that your visions, goals
and expectations are commonly shared.
6. Customer Service
All of these qualities combined share a
common characteristic – outstanding
customer service. So, how can you find out
how your builder ranks? Just ask! Inquire
whether the builder has received any awards
or recognition for their service, and when
you reach out to former clients, be sure to
ask them how they’d rate the overall service
of the builder. In the end, do everything you
can to make sure you feel comfortable the
builder you choose will provide exceptional
service at all stages of building and even
after you move in.
CORDERA.COM
HOW TO SELECT A HOME BUILDER
FUNDAMENTAL FIRST STEPS: #4 – ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
Performing due diligence will mean asking a lot of questions. Be straightforward when you ask
them and don’t pull any punches. It is human nature to be uncomfortable putting others on the
spot – but bear in mind that the awkwardness of asking a pointed question will soon fade; issues
due to shoddy construction or poor client/builder communication can cause problems that will be
much harder to forget.
General Questions for the Builder:
How many years have you been a home builder?
How many homes have you built?
How many homes do you currently have under
construction?
How many homes do you currently have for
sale?
Are you a member of the local HBA?
Has your company received any awards or
citations?
Will I have access to the site while under
construction?
General Questions for References and Past
Clients:
Did you run into any issues with the builder? If
so, how were they resolved?
Did the builder communicate openly and
return messages in a timely manner?
Have you had to rely on the warranty? If so, how
was your experience?
Are there any aspects of the construction you
feel are especially strong?
Are there any aspects of the construction you
feel are lacking?
Did the builder meet expected timelines?
What are my options for customizations and
floor plans?
Did the builder stay within the desired budget?
How do you ensure timelines are kept?
Is there anything you would have changes
about the experience?
How do you communicate with/update clients?
How are expenses communicated to clients?
Would you recommend the builder to a friend
or relative?
Who will oversee the construction of my home?
Overall, did you enjoy working with the builder?
How is quality control ensured?
What materials and appliances will be used?
Are your homes energy efficient?
What are the specifics of your warranty?
How do I report warranty issues?
What sets you apart from other builders?
CORDERA.COM
HOW TO SELECT A HOME BUILDER
COME HOME TO CORDERA
When it came to the selection of home builders for our master planned community, we used the
same guidelines you just read about in this guide. As a result, we are extremely proud to offer
available home sites for five of Colorado Springs best local builders.
New homes are priced from the low $300’s
to the $800’s from: Campbell Homes, Keller
Homes, Saddletree Homes, Symphony
Homes, and Vantage Homes. The unique
architectural styles, elevation options and
color schemes in Cordera allow you to create
the home of your dreams while avoiding a
cookie-cutter looking community. Cordera
is proud to have ENERGY STAR® certified
homes, which means greater comfort for the
homeowner and lower utility bills.
Cordera is thoughtfully designed to offer excellent
amenities such as an extensive trail system, cul-desac streets, storybook-themed parks, the Grand
Lawn Park, a top-notch landscaping program,
high architectural standards, and the state-of-theart Community Center.
The Cordera Community Center includes
a heated outdoor pool complete with kid’s
splash zone and zero depth entry, state-ofthe-art fitness equipment and fitness classes,
multipurpose rooms and a 5+ acre Grand Lawn.
Plus, engaging family-friendly events, programs
and parties are offered by outstanding
organizations like the YMCA, Colorado Springs
Conservatory, and Fine Arts Center.
Cordera is located in renowned Academy School
District 20 and even has an elementary school
within the community. The walking trails and
a pedestrian underpass encourage residents
to walk through the community to school, the
parks, Community Center or friends’ homes
CORDERA.COM
HOW TO SELECT A HOME BUILDER
CORDERA.COM
For more information, please stop by the Community Center
11894 Grand Lawn Circle, Colorado Springs CO 80924,
located just off Briargate Parkway and Powers.,
or call us at 719-266-8581.