Picking Your Builder
Selecting a builder can be a confusing and
intimidating process. But it doesn't need to be, and picking the right
builder saves money, frustration and disappointment as the project evolves.
Your kind of
project.
It's important to understand that not all builders will have the resources
or inclination to do your kind of project. So your first step should be to
narrow the list to builders who specialize in your kind of project, whether
it's kitchens, bathrooms, room additions, or even a new home. The
telephone is your best tool for this step... and there are internet
resources that can help. One of the better ones is Angie's List
-- a complete reference to services for the homeowner.
People and References It's worthwhile to sit down with the principals from your builder
candidates. Ask whether these are the people who will be personally working
on your project. Assess the personal "chemistry" you feel with them... how
they will respond to problems. And do they back up their advertising with
credible evidence that they actually do what they claim? References
have an important role, and RGI is a consistent winner of Angie's List Super
Service Award. RGI is also a member of the Better Business
Bureau and RGI has not had a single BBB complaint in the past 23
years of operation.
RGI
Builders meets all BBB OnLine Reliability participation and Better
Business Bureau membership standards and is authorized to display the BBBOnLine
Reliability seal. (Click on the gold seal to the left for more information)
Organization
Depending on the size of your project, it can be a long road to completion.
A very large builder with a bureaucratic "back office"
may be impressive. But if it takes lots of paperwork and passing the ball to
different departments to solve problems, it may become a time-consuming and
frustrating process working together. You need an organization that is
responsive, with people you've met and come to know personally. Ideally the
people you deal with directly should be able to make and execute decisions
that correct problems -- immediately.
Cost
One of the primary values of requesting competitive quotes is sizing your
project. Reliable builders should typically produce quotes that are within
10-15% of each other for a comparable project. If the quotes are outside
that range, it is a "red flag" that bears closer investigation. You'll need
to understand "Why" they don't compare favorably, and don't necessarily pick
the low-bidder.
Licensed, Insured, and Bonded This is one of the very important criteria in selecting a builder.
If you overlook this, and select a builder who is not properly covered, you
can wind up burning a lot of money -- unnecessarily. See the detail on what
to look for by
clicking here.
How they do
business.
This entire website is devoted to describing how RGI does business, and some
of the highlight pages to review in making your builder selection are:
Once you have a "calibration" of the size/cost of your project and clear
understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates, you're
ready to select your builder and map out your budget.
