Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 8, 1990 TAG: 9004100217
SECTION: GUIDE TO BETTER HOMES PAGE: GTBH14 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KIM SUNDERLAND
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The quality of your home will be determined by the quality of the builders, so when starting a search, there are a number of places to begin.
Guidelines for the New River Valley Home Builders Association suggest the real estate section of local newspapers. Active builders, the types of homes they're building and prices are usually listed. Real estate agents can also provide that type of information.
Also, an extensive listing of building contractors for Montgomery County can be found in the Yellow Pages.
Another place to begin a search is with a local home builders association. Georgia Anne Snyder-Falkinham, president of the New River Valley Home Builders Association, said their office has a list of licensed contractors.
And ask friends and relatives for recommendations on builders they've used in the past or builders they have heard about.
After getting a running list together, the second consideration in obtaining a contractor is making the right choice; that means it's important to check on reputations.
The best way to check a contractor's reputation is to ask the home buyer.
Visit on a Saturday morning when people are outside doing chores or errands, suggests the association's guidelines. Introduce yourself and say you are considering buying a home from the builder who built their home. Ask them if they're happy with the work; if the builder did what he promised in a timely manner; and whether or not they'd buy another home from the same builder.
"What many people don't do is to go out and look at the houses that a builder has built," said Jim Pugh, a NRV association board member.
Since many people get caught up in the excitement of home building - and lost in permits, banks and paperwork - Pugh said they never take the time to view what a builder has done in the past.
"Just because a builder's prices may be low does not mean that that person is right for what you want," Pugh said. "Don't just take his word for it."
And if you aren't knowledgeable about construction, pay to have a professional view the structures to comment and advise on the quality. Architects and home inspection services can aid in that area. Plus, architects, engineers and building inspectors may also know about a particular builder's work. Ask them, too.
"The biggest consideration is finding a licensed builder," said Snyder-Falkinham, who is also president of Snyder & Associates, a Blacksburg-based builder and developer.
She believes the most important part of a contractor's reputation is whether or not that person has a license; this provides liability protection.
"It's so important because if anything happens, like a builder leaving in the middle of a job, you won't have anything to fall back on," she said.
General contractors usually have a class A license and subcontractors have a class B license.
"Many builders don't have a license," Snyder-Falkinham said. "I'd encourage them all to get one, and customers should check whether or not they have one."
A warranty on the home is also important criterion. Although tedious, read the legal document to find out exactly what protection you have. If there are any questions, ask the builder. They usually back their own warranties on workmanship and materials typically for one year. Others offer them backed by an insurance company.
The home builders association advises that to get an insured warranty, you must buy a home from a builder who belongs to a warranty program; you can't select a home and then ask a builder who does not belong to a program for an insured warranty.
When checking reputations, Pugh believes that a contractor belonging to the local home builders association says a number of important things.
Firstly, a contractor is considered more of a professional when involved with a professional organization. Pugh believes it puts them "a cut above other builders."
Secondly, when a contractor belongs to the association, it can mean they have a commitment to the community.
"We try to do a good yearly project," Pugh said of the home builders association. "We look at charitable organizations and try to use all of our expertise to help them in the community. And we draw on our members for that support."
Thirdly, when a contractor joins the association, they become a part of a national network that has access to a considerable amount of information.
"These are the types of people that will see the job through from beginning to end," Pugh said.
One part-time subcontractor does not believe that association membership necessarily coincides with quality work.
"I've seen good and bad jobs done by members and non-members," said Clay Riley, a Virginia Tech business student who has done subcontracting work for roughly five years.
"You have to talk to [a contractor's] references and check out as many jobs as possible before you hire anyone," he said.
Lastly, when choosing a contractor be thorough and ask a lot of questions. Get specifics. If answers are verbal and not in writing, take notes.
Never hesitate to ask a question for fear of sounding stupid or uniformed, warns the home builders association. What seems like a stupid question might yield an informative answer.
by CNB