HURRICANE -- Some people who've had a new home built say it was the most stressful experience they've ever had.
But there are ways to reduce the anxiety and confusion, and Mike Steorts of Steorts Homebuilders says one way is to get a contractor who can help you through the process.
In 1974, Steorts, along with his wife Cindy, started a small construction company where they worked mostly on weekends and evenings completing small room additions and general home improvements. More than 30 years later, with the additional help of his son Jason, who recently was awarded Young Guns status for 2008 in the West Virginia Executive magazine, Steorts has become one of the premier contractors for residential and commercial construction and development in the area.
In his experience, the steps to building a home are easy to follow if you know where to start.
"The contractor comes first," Steorts recommended.
While many people looking to build a home often think their first step should be approaching lending companies, Steorts said it's not beneficial to start discussions on financing until you know exactly how much you anticipate spending on your new home.
With this in mind, Steorts advises people to first begin working with a reputable contractor.
For example, at his business, they sit down with clients and work through a computer-guided questionnaire that covers every aspect of the home's construction from simple estimates on square footage to specific material and product costs room by room. Doing that allows the contractor to understand the customer's expectations so he'll know how to proceed and allows the customer to have complete control over the home's design. That information allows the contractor to give a very close estimate as to how much the buyer will need to ask to borrow when approaching lenders. In addition, a schedule of construction operations and a projected date of completion are also produced.
"Communication is the key," Steorts said.
Once preliminary plans are in place, he recommends that customers view the materials and products offered by the contractor's vendors. Visiting the showroom is the best way to ensure that you are getting what you want. The vendors will be able to show you samples and answer any questions you may have about the items you intend to incorporate into your construction.
Steorts recommended that customers get a minimum of three estimates on construction. He suggests being wary of contractors whose estimates come in thousands of dollars below other bids.
"A lot of people don't compare apples to apples," he said, noting that a substantially lower bid usually means that quality is being cut somewhere.
After a bid is received, go over the bid with the contractor and discuss line by line.
"For me, put me on the spot and ask me why my cost is higher or lower," Steorts said. "If a contractor says he'll immediately meet the cost on another bid, that's not good enough. He'll need to tell you why his bid is different from the others."
In addition, there are three documents that you should demand from your contractor. They are a state license, proof of liability insurance and, the most important, their worker's compensation certificate.
"Any contractor that can't produce any one of those documents creates a liability for the homeowner," Steorts said.
If a customer still feels apprehensive about the work being done on a home, Steorts suggested hiring a home inspector to observe and assess different phases of the project. Any contractor doing the right thing on the job should not fear having someone look over his or her shoulder, Steorts said.
"That's just another reassurance that they're doing the job right."
Another recommendation is to make periodic site visits.
"If you want to show up on the job everyday, that's fine," he said. "We really like people to do that in case there's something they see that they want to change. But don't ask the workers; they're just following blueprints. If you see something you don't like, get a hold of your project coordinator to rectify the situation."
It's easier and less costly to make changes immediately than asking the contractor to modify items at the end of the project.
Steorts warned of pitfalls.
First, he says to beware of the contractor who says they can build a home for a certain dollar amount per square foot. He explained that square footage estimates don't take into account the specifics in the details the customer may hope for but doesn't know how to ask for. For example, there is a significant difference in cost between vinyl flooring and hardwood installation. Depending on the customer's requests, these types of differences can change a home with an original estimated cost of $125 a square foot to up toward $1,000 a square foot. And where price increases in one area, quality and design with these estimates may suffer in other areas of the construction.
Secondly, ask for a completion date. It's not unusual for some companies to begin construction and then fall behind because of overscheduling or poor management, and this becomes an additional cost for the homeowner. Steorts said to expect it to take six to eight months for a home to be built, depending on the complexity. But it's typical and reasonable to prepare for plus or minus 60 days in the home's final completion date, taking into account unforeseen weather and delivery issues.
Steorts' best advice, "Do your homework."
He suggested talking to local engineers and building inspectors to find reputable contractors in your area. They inspect jobs every day and will be familiar with the resources in your community, he said.
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