Great Ideas for Your Home

If you are in the market for a new home, you should shop for your builder as carefully as you shop for your home Inside this Guide is a listing of professional builders and remodelers who are members of the Utah Valley Home Builders Association, prescribe to a Code of Ethics, are licensed in the State of Utah, and provide professional building services for single family homes, condos or remodels. The potential home buyer should compile a list of builders to consider hiring. Look at new homes during the Parade of Homes. Visit open houses and model homes. Local newspapers and real estate magazines have home sections showcasing local builders, their subdivisions and products. A real estate agent may also be able to help you in your search. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations. Ask about builders they have dealt with directly, or ask them for names of acquaintances who have recently had a good experience with a builder. Once you have compiled your starting list of builders, check to make sure they are a member of the Utah Valley Home Builders Association and call the Better Business Bureau at 1-800-456-3907 for additional information on each builder. Now that you have determined four or five builders for your new home or remodel, ask the builder for a list of the past 10 homebuyers they have built for. Get names, phone numbers and addresses. Ask these past clients the following questions: Did the builder communicate well? How were any misunderstandings resolved? What was your experience with the subcontractors? How would you describe the quality of work as it was completed? Did the builder fulfill the contract on time? How were any cost overruns handled? Did the builder follow through in a timely manner after the close of the loan to finalize any remaining details? Were you satisfied with the builder's business practices? And the most important question . . . Would you use this builder again? Other important criterion for selecting a builder is the warranty for the home and how change orders are handled. Ask to see a copy of the contract that covers warranties and change orders. Make sure you are aware of how these items will be handled before signing a contract.