| 1. |
We have purchased a lot and would like to build a home on it, can
Pierce and Associates help us? |
|
Of course! We can go over the building site with you and make
recommendations on home style. Our Design Services mean we can
take you from "concept" to "construction." |
| 2. |
We want to start construction of our new home but have no idea what
the cost would be. Can Pierce and Associates help us create a
budget? |
|
Absolutely. We can sit down with you to determine your needs and
wants and give you some rules of thumb to determine an approximate
cost. If the approximate cost is within you budget, we can work
out the details and give you and firm estimate. If the approximate
cost is not within your budget, we can talk to you about options for
reducing the overall cost so you can afford a quality built home you
will love. |
| 3. |
How do we pick a quality builder when so many people claim to be
home builders? |
|
References and experience are the indicators you should look to.
If a builder has been in business many years, he should have plenty of
references he can give you of satisfied clients. If he's just
starting out or isn't willing to give references, you should look
elsewhere. |
| 4. |
How is square footage calculated? |
|
Square footage can be calculated different ways, so it's important to
ask your builder what method he uses. The most common method is
out to out method which means measuring from the outside of one exterior
wall to the outside of another exterior wall. This will include
the wall thickness, ducts, etc. |
| 5. |
What is your cost per square foot? OR Why do different
builders charge different prices per square foot? |
|
Builders us the cost per square foot as an estimate to the cost of
your project. Since different builders use different grades or
quality of materials, this price may vary depending on quality of
product. With lumber prices fluctuating, the cost per square foot
changes often, so talk to your builder about today's market and what
that means to the cost per square foot. Another factor that goes
into the cost per square foot is the builder's experience. More
experienced builders understand quality building methods and will charge
more per square foot. Less experienced builders may charge less
per square foot when bidding the job, but often run into problems that
create change orders and increases in price for the owner. At
Pierce & Associates, we have over 25 years experience backing our
estimates. We know what it takes to do it right the first time to
create a quality product for you and your family. |
| 6. |
Why do most builders "reserve the right to exchange materials
and fixtures." Is this okay? |
|
Yes. Most contracts are signed several months before
construction begins, so the exact product or fixture may not be
available when the time comes to build your home. Just make sure
you contract says that your builder agrees to provide you with
"equal or better" products. |
| 7. |
Why would we want to pay for construction plans when some builders
offer them for "free"? |
|
Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. It's always best to
work out the details on paper to avoid mistakes later in the
construction phase. Paying in advance for design services can save
you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the future by avoiding
unnecessary mistakes. Any builder who offers "free"
plans is probably offering them as a package deal with his construction,
so you won't get a detailed plan you can look over before the project
begins. Pierce and Associates design services are charged by the
hour, so you can get make sure the plans are exactly what you want
before you begin construction. Please see our Design Services page
for more details. |
| 8. |
How long does it usually take to build a home? |
|
This is really depended on many factors - the season, the availability
of building materials, the builder's schedule, etc. Ask your
builder at the beginning of the project what his estimated time to
completion would be, but always assume that's a "best case" scenario.
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