Interviewing Builders Once you’ve found several builders and completed your background research, you should narrow it down to a few builders to interview. You should not settle for the first builder you meet. Interview several builders to compare their approaches, communication styles and pricing. We’ve included some key questions below to help guide your interviews. About the Builder
1. How long have you been in business? Experience can make a significant difference. A builder who has been in business for a long time is likely to have established strong relationships with subtrades and should have an excellent understanding of supply chains and local permitting regimes. They’ll be able to give you a reliable estimate and make informed suggestions to improve your project. If a builder has recently opened their business, it’s important to ask about their prior experience in the field. Many new builders bring valuable skills and insights from previous roles, which can be just as beneficial. Don’t discount them solely based on their business duration; their background could provide a fresh perspective and innovative solutions for your custom home. 2. Do you specialize in a type of home? Have you built homes that are similar to my project? Each home is unique, and you will benefit from hiring a builder who has experience with similar types of homes. For example, if you want to build a passive home, you will want a builder who is familiar with the latest passive home technology. In this case, you may want to ask the builder if they hold any passive home credentials and training.
3. Have you built homes in my area? What’s your experience like with municipal permitting timelines? Do you have long- term or repeat relationships with trades and suppliers? How do you vet them? Building conditions and supply availability differ depending on location, and hiring a builder with local knowledge is invaluable. Long-term relationships between the builder and local suppliers can be a sign that the builder is reliable and has strong professional relationships. Experienced local builders can also provide important insight into local permitting regimes and timelines. 4. Do you typically build one home at a time or several? The builder’s answer to this question should give you an idea of their workload, and whether they will have enough time to devote sufficient attention to your project. For example, if the builder is working on several projects at once, you’ll want to know if there will be a construction manager on site at least every couple of days.
Hiring a Builder in BC: A Consumer Protection Guide
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