When it comes to custom home new builds and remodeling projects, choosing your builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your hard-earned money and time will go into an in-depth process that will last anywhere from several months to a year or more, depending on the size of your project. You are investing in one of your most meaningful assets! That’s why you’ll want to choose a home builder that you can trust. Here are some things to consider when choosing your home builder.
Define Your Priorities & Budget
Make a list of things that are most important to you and understand how much you’d like to spend. With this information, you can have a meaningful discussion about your project goals and scope. Be clear about what you’d like and ask tough questions. Look for honest, genuine, and realistic answers. Trust is a key to a good relationship.
At Carlisle Classic Homes, we listen and understand first. We don’t over-promise. We will help you understand the process and your options.
Experience Matters
There is no substitute for experience – choose a builder with a track record you can trust. Research reviews, business details, and completed projects to examine a builder’s experience and how it meets your standards.
Since 2002, we have completed over 1,200 successful projects. We do this by having lasting client relationships, inspired employees and dependable subcontractors. A multi-year winner of Washington’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, keeping great employees is a priority to us. Carlisle employees are the best in the industry, and they love what they do. We treat our subcontractors like family and as a result, they prioritize our work. The result is quality work, smoother schedules, and better outcomes for our clients.
Communication & Transparency
Let’s be honest, construction projects are not easy. There are lots of moving parts and scores of decisions to be made. Good communication means keeping you informed, to provide less uncertainty and less stress. Ask your builder about their communication plan.
At Carlisle, good communication starts with assembling your personal team: a project manager and onsite superintendent who are committed to the success of your project. Our client portal – with an online view of your project – provides an accurate, timely, and fully transparent view of your project progress, selections, change orders, costs, project progress photos, and more – available anytime. We believe good communication and full transparency is how the best work gets done.
On Time and On Budget
On time and on budget begins with a realistic, achievable, and predictable building plan. You want to have confidence that your builder is always watching over the timeline and your bottom line. Ask how they will do this.
Our budgeting and planning software is honed with years of experience. We accurately estimate the costs and timeline for your project, then help you to make timely decisions along the way to stay on track. We have a track record of great outcomes.
Compare Builders
All builders are not created equal, however comparable builders will offer similar services at a similar price. That is because construction projects have many set costs that do not change across builders. Avoid the pitfalls of lower-priced, incomplete bids, and vague line items. It is important to understand what your project might actually cost in the end, not just in the beginning.
At Carlisle, we’re seldom the lowest bid. Clients choose us because they trust the integrity of our bid, its accuracy and completeness, and our process. Once you start the project, you’ll want the confidence that your builder will do what they said for the amount presented. Otherwise, the lowest bids can become the “highest bids.”
Customer Satisfaction
Everyone has heard construction nightmares! It’s always helpful to ask for referrals. It’s a testimonial to a builder’s ability to deliver quality outcomes and form lasting relationships.
Referrals are a lifeblood of our business. Several of our clients have left great reviews and a flattering number of referrals, which we are more than grateful for. We’re very proud of our team and our efforts.
Warranty
A finished project should stand the test of time. Improper and inexperienced installations can make even the best products fail sooner than they should. Ask a potential builder if they warranty their work.
At Carlisle, we stand behind our work, and we don’t take shortcuts. For our employees and subcontractors, it is not the easiest or the cheapest solution, but it is the right solution. After your project is done, we will still be here. We provide a long-standing relationship that you can trust. Ask about our warranty!
Verify Credentials & Company Standing
You want to ensure that your builder is licensed, bonded, insured, and in good standing. It’s also important to understand the structure of the company. Do they have their own employees or rely solely on subcontractors? Are they current on their L&I and workers’ comp payments? These are important insights into a company’s character and integrity. They can make a difference in what they deliver and the time it takes. When choosing a home builder, you can ask all of these questions and even verify their information.
Choose Your Home Builder
We encourage all potential clients to consider all of these things, to meet with us, to ask the important questions, and to compare us to other builders. When you choose your home builder, it’s an important choice that requires an open relationship that you can trust.
