What is the first step to begin the building process?

You have dreamed of building a home, but are not sure where to begin to turn your dream into a reality. Should you have a list of all the features you want in your home? Should you find a house plan? Do you need to buy land? All of these can be answered "yes," but ultimately the very first thing you need to do is find a builder.

Qualifications of a great builder: 

• A great builder is going to walk with you step by step through the home building process. 
• A great builder will carry 99% of the stress that comes with building your home. 
• A great builder is a good teacher.  You should be able to ask questions and have them answered in a way that leaves you confident of the direction your home is proceeding. 
• A great builder will be able to speak to you about every aspect of building your home without being evasive.  

Hiring the right builder is essential to your Dream becoming your Home.

How to find a great builder:

• Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a great builder. Ask your friends and acquaintances. If someone has worked with a great builder, they will have a glowing report of their experience.  
• Customer satisfaction is a great indicator of a great builder...  Do past clients gladly open up their homes to show people who are considering working with the builder?  
• Ask the builder about how he spends his days.  Will he be on your job site?
• A great builder surrounds himself with great subcontractors, recognizing that it takes many different skilled workers to produce a quality home, built to last.
• When you find a potential builder, make some phone calls.  Ask about the builder at Building and Codes.  Call different suppliers and other people in the trade.  You will find out quickly enough what kind of reputation the builder has established in the community.

 "Hire a builder who lives up to your expectations because if your expectations are higher than your builder can provide, he will fall short."- Words of Steele