How to Select a Custom Home Builder or Remodeling Company

Finding a custom home builder or remodeling company in Seacoast New Hampshire isn’t difficult. In fact, a quick Internet search will reveal plenty of home professionals in your area. Unfortunately, all businesses don’t offer the same level of expertise or the same commitment to customer service. Before you pick someone to build your new home or renovate your current home, consider these important factors.

Experience

How long has the company been in business? Although newcomers aren’t necessarily less qualified, they won’t have the breadth of experience that you’ll find in a business with a long history. Over the years, renovators and home builders with years of experience learned many valuable lessons. When things didn’t go quite as planned, they found solutions, tried new approaches, and mastered new techniques.

If there’s an issue with your build or remodel, an experienced builder or remodeler can draw on past experience to come up with a solution that will solve the problem without depleting your bank account.

Experienced builders and remodelers have also developed long-standing relationships with suppliers and subcontractors. Thanks to their connections, they can get the specialty building products you need or find a subcontractor who will work your project into their schedule.

Focus

When you notice a change in vision, visiting a dermatologist probably isn’t the best option. Although ophthalmologists and dermatologists are both doctors, they specialize in very different areas. 

The same is true of home builders and remodelers. If you want to remodel your kitchen or bathroom, it makes sense to work with someone who has renovated hundreds or thousands of bathrooms or kitchens. Those remodelers keep up with the latest design trends and can provide suggestions that will improve the function and appearance of the room.

Builders also tend to specialize. Some focus on townhomes and lower-priced single-family homes, while others design and build upscale custom homes. Since most remodelers and renovators have websites, it’s usually easy to determine if the business can handle your remodel or new build simply by taking a look at the company’s project gallery.

Customer Service

When you have a problem or concern with your project, waiting days for an answer isn’t acceptable. Customer service issues are stressful and can delay your project if the issues aren’t resolved promptly. After you’ve selected a few potential builders or remodelers, ask these questions:

• Can you give me a list of references?
• How soon will I hear back from you when I have a question?
• Who will be the contact person during the build or remodel?
• How will you communicate with me – text, email, phone call?
• How often will I receive updates?
• Will you tell me when you will be working on my home and who will be doing the work?
• How long do you think my project will take?
• Do you offer design/build services so I don’t have to hire an architect and a builder/renovator?
• Can I visit my new home while it’s under construction?
• Do you offer warranties for your homes?
• What happens if I have an issue or question after the project is finished?

Trusting your gut feeling is important when you pick a builder or remodeler. The company might meet all of your requirements on paper, yet you may not click with the people you meet or notice that something just doesn’t seem quite right. Since you’ll be working with the company for weeks or months, you’ll want to choose a business that doesn’t set off warning bells in your brain.

Budget

Cost is a key consideration whether you’re building a new home or adding a master bedroom suite to your house. As with most things, making a decision based on price alone may not be the wisest choice. A price or estimate may be low because the company uses lower-quality building products or hires subcontractors who don’t have much experience.

Building and remodeling costs vary depending on the type, size, and complexity of the project. In Southern Maine, a bathroom remodel could range from $21,652 to $67,788, according to Remodeling’s Cost vs. Value report. You’ll pay about $29,000 for a minor kitchen facelift in Northern Massachusetts, while a major, upscale kitchen remodel may cost $164,000 or more. If you want to add a master suite to your Seacoast New Hampshire home, you could pay between $155,000 and $322,000.

Costs also vary when you’re building a custom home. According to the National Association of Home Builders estimates, a typical single-family home will cost $114 per square foot. If you’re building an upscale home with high-quality finishes and products, you’ll pay more. The cost per square foot may also be higher depending on your location. Other factors can also contribute to costs. Recently, skyrocketing lumber costs added thousands to the price of a new home.

Extras

Does the company offer any unusual or unique services? Those little extras could reduce the price of your remodel or new home or increase its beauty or value. Custom millwork is one of the extras Oxland Builders offers. Instead of relying on out-of-the-box or semi-custom cabinets, we can create custom cabinets, flooring, and millwork that complement your décor and fit your home perfectly.

If quality craftsmanship and excellent customer service are important to you, give us a call or shoot us an email. We’ll help you create the ultimate custom home or upgrade your current home with a few renovations.