|
Events: Tips from Building Professionals How To Hire A ContractorThinking About A New Home? Do today's low interest rates have you thinking about remodeling your current home or building a new home? If so, you may have a tough decision to make. By remodeling your current home, you can get many of the benefits associated with new home ownership, without leaving the friends and neighbors you've made over the years. Building a new home, on the other hand, allows the most freedom to customize a home to your unique needs. Either way the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans can help you realize your dreams of the perfect home. Before You Start Whether you choose to remodel or build new from the ground up, there are several things to consider before getting started. Before you start spending money on architects or plans, check the various building and zoning regulations in your community. The contractor will be responsible for getting all building permits and arranging for inspections, but you should obtain any necessary zoning or code exemptions. (If you are purchasing a new home and a lot as a package, the contractor will usually take care of this step for you.) Important places to look include: Deed Restrictions Deeds sometimes prohibit certain types of construction or additions. Read your deed to see if it restricts you. If you are in a historic district you may find other more extensive restrictions, which are designed to preserve the integrity of certain types of architecture, apply. Subdivision Restrictions Some subdivisions restrict construction by setting minimum square foot requirements, prohibiting certain types of construction or mandating the review of plans by the subdivision's architectural review board. Make sure you keep subdivision restrictions in mind during the planning stages to avoid potential problems later. Zoning Ordinances Zoning laws determine how land and buildings can be used in your community. They regulate such things as the amount of land coverage buildings may use as well as front, side and back setbacks or the heights of fences and hedges. Call your local building department to determine if any zoning laws apply to the work you are planning. Building Codes Building codes set minimum standards for construction materials and plumbing and electrical fittings. These codes also give guidelines for construction of some structures. Your contractor is responsible for compliance with these, but you should have some understanding of them. Selecting a Building Professional Finding the right building professional to build or remodel your home can be a confusing process. Taking time to plan what you want and working with an expert are essential steps to take to ensure that you get what you pay for with the least amount of worry. So where do you start? With the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, YOUR INFORMATION SOURCE FOR EVERY HOME BUILDING NEED. The HBA is one of the metro area's foremost trade associations representing over 1,000 firms that specialize in residential construction. All member firms pledge to adhere to a strict Code of ethics and strive to provide quality workmanship in a professional manner. The Home Builders Association recommends that you take the following steps before hiring a building professional: 1. Call the HBA at (504) 837-2700. The Association maintains files on all member firms, and the staff will be happy answer any questions. While membership in the HBA is voluntary, a commitment to adhere to strict association standards is a good sign that a contractor is truly a reliable building professional. 2. See if the company has any unresolved consumer complaints registered with the Better Business Bureau. You can contact the local BBB office at (504) 581-6222. 3. Builders are required to have Residential Contractors License. Call the State Contractors Licensing Board in Baton Rouge at (504) 765-2301 to see if there are any outstanding complaints against them. 4. Make sure the contractor carries worker's compensation and liability insurance and that coverage is presently in force, by requesting an insurance certificate directly from the issuing agency. State law requires General Contractors to carry these types of insurance. 5. Ask the contractor to provide the names of satisfied customers they have worked for previously. Call at least three of these customers and ask them what they thought of the work performed. Also, find out if the contractor responded to homeowner callbacks "promptly. Starting any construction project can be a trying experience, but following these simple steps can help ensure that you are dealing with a viable building professional who will work to help you realize your dream of the perfect home. If you ever have any questions about residential construction please call the Home Builders Association of greater New Orleans at (504) 837-2700. YOUR INFORMATION SOURCE FOR EVERY HOME BUILDING NEED RECOMMENDED CONTRACTOR CRITERIA Hiring a General Contractor to build or remodel your home is a big step. In order to ensure that you are hiring a qualified, reliable contractor to work for you we would recommend you follow these steps: 1. Ask them if they are members of the Home Builders Association. While membership in the HBA is voluntary, participation in a bona-fide trade association is a good indication of a company's commitment to an industry. You can reach the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans at 837-2700. 2. Call the Better Business Bureau at 581-6222 to see if there are any unresolved consumer complaints against this company. 3. Check with the State Contractor's Licensing Board to make sure that the company holds a current Residential Builders License. As of February 1, 1996 all residential contractors building new homes valued at $50,000 or more are required to hold a state license. The Licensing Board can be reached at (504) 765-2301 (Commercial) (504) 765-0264 (Residential). 4. Make sure that the company carries workers' compensation and liability insurance, and that this coverage is presently in force. Ask them to have their insurance company mail you a certificate of insurance evidencing these paid up insurance coverages. 5. Request and verify a variety of references including: previous customers, subcontractors, suppliers and lending institutions. 6. Tour a number of other homes currently being built by each builder under consideration. Try to visit homes under various stages of construction if possible. OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Finding the right contractor to build your new home can be a very difficult task. In many ways it is a lot like looking for a roommate or spouse. You will be working closely with this individual, often under very stressful conditions, for six to nine months. Unlike most other major purchases, individuals hiring a contractor to build a new home are part of the construction (manufacturing) process. You will be called upon regularly to make decisions about your new home. Make sure that you are comfortable with your builder's personality as well as their qualifications. If minor problems do occur during the construction process, your ability (or inability) to effectively communicate and work with your builder can make a huge difference in your home building experience. Building within a budget is another huge challenge for most individuals looking for their "perfect" new home. As with most purchases throughout life, building a new home requires setting priorities and making hard decisions when necessary. A good way to keep expectations realistic and the home within budget is to get your builder involved during the planning stages. Most builders are accustomed to working closely with architects and designers, and it is often advantageous (and cost effective) to have a builder on-hand during the design phase of construction, so cost considerations can be factored in from the start. Builders can even be a good source for finding the right architect or designer. |