Ask the Builder Q: What is an escalation clause? A: This is where the customer agrees to pay for product price increases that happen between contract signing and the start of construction. Escalation clauses tend to appear when there’s high price volatility for a given building material (such as lumber). The decision to sign or […]
Ask the Builder Q: How are allowances structured? A: An allowance assigns a budget to choices that still haven’t been made at the time of contract signing. One example is the homeowners who need time to decide what cabinets they want but don’t want to hold up the start date. The allowance would set a […]
Ask the Builder Q: Who will be in charge of my job? A: It depends. The owner of a small company might be on location every day, but a well-staffed, professionally managed builder will have an on-site project manager or lead carpenter. This person typically brings years of experience and extensive training to the job […]
Ask the Builder: Q: What does housewrap do? A: The housewrap, or weather-resistant barrier (WRB), is applied to the wall sheathing before the doors, windows, and siding are installed. It acts as a secondary line of defense if any water gets behind the siding, while also keeping unwanted drafts out of the home. But while […]
Ask the Builder Q: What if you have a deadline? A: Some homeowners come to the initial meeting wanting the job done by a certain date. They may want it finished in time to host a big event like a wedding or family reunion, or they may not want to pay construction loan interest any […]
Ask the Builder: Q: Who is responsible for the work of subcontractors?A: The general contractor (your builder) has the final responsibility for the quality and timeliness of all subcontracted work. That’s why a professional hires reputable subs with a proven track record. And that’s why you hire a pro to manage your job rather than […]
Q: “How long have you been building in this town?” A: When choosing a contractor, it’s important to ask about their local track record. A company that’s firmly established in a certain area will have an interest in protecting its reputation and will have built a network of reliable subcontractors that help it maintain that […]
Ask the Builder: Q: What does your warranty cover? A: Surprisingly, a lot of homeowners forget to ask this question. But it’s as important to examine the warranty when choosing a contractor as it is when buying a car. Of course, that’s only possible when the warranty is in writing. A homeowner should never accept a verbal […]
Ask the Builder: Q: My builder seems far removed from the construction process, and I deal mostly with the site superintendent. Is that normal? A: Builders understand they are responsible for every home their company builds. A successful builder is also a successful manager and business owner. When you buy from a professional builder, you […]
Ask the Builder: Q: What is “Tyvek” A: Tyvek is a brand name of housewrap (or air-moisture barrier sheathing) from DuPont, and has come to be, in many markets, the generic term for the product. Not all housewrap is made the same, however, or even performs the same exact functions. Your builder should specify the […]