One of the most stressful events that can occur during the construction process for many prospective homeowners is a disagreement with their new home builder. Often, these disputes arise due to a misunderstanding between the homeowner and the builder; however, once the damage has been done, it can be challenging to undo the situation. The following suggestions are intended to assist homeowners in reducing the likelihood of a dispute arising between them and their new home builder:
The builder requires an image of the completed construction as well as accurate specifications
Essentially, this is done so that the home builder can understand how all of the pieces of your house should fit together and the type and quality of materials they will require to complete the project successfully. A competitive quote for your project will be provided to you by the builder as a result of this.
Schedule meetings with three or four potential new home builders in Malvern. Even from this first meeting, it is possible to infer a great deal about the habits of the builder. Is he running late or right on schedule? Is he well-prepared, or has he forgotten to bring half of the documents that he will require? Is he insistent on a redesign, or is he content to follow your instructions (at least for the time being)?
Make an appointment with your preferred home builder for a second consultation
As soon as you have received quotes from the builders you previously interviewed, it would be best if you had a good idea of which one you would prefer to hire for your project. Then give it some thought for a few days – don’t rush into making a decision.
Establish a written contract that both the homeowner and the home builder agree to sign before work begins.
This document is being created to protect both parties. Even if your builder insists that he has never used a contract in the past and doesn’t see the point in doing so now, make it very clear that he will not be receiving your project unless he gets one first. Many disagreements arise as a result of the lack of written documentation about the project in question.
Prepare the work site by the terms of the contract
If your contract specifies that you will have cleared the worksite before the start of construction, you must make sure that this is done before the new home builder’s crews are scheduled to begin working on the project. This will irritate your builder, who is also working under strict time constraints.
When it is possible to avoid a dispute with your new home builder, it is always preferable to do everything in your power to prevent one from occurring. Otherwise, it is not uncommon for homeowners and builders to end up in mediation or even court to resolve disagreements that could have been avoided from the beginning of the process.
