New construction mistakes can be difficult for homeowners to avoid. After all, just what exactly do you know about fiberglass batts or blower tests? These are common industry terms, but not exactly everyday topics of conversation. Without overwhelming you with jargon or asking you to study up, we'll look at our top five for buyers to avoid new home mistakes.
1. Accept What You Don't Know
Believe it or not, it's beneficial to come in without expectations or assumptions. If you don't know very much about the construction process, that's perfectly fine. It shouldn't stop you from buying a new build. However, it should prompt you to seek expert opinions. When you're unsure of something, it's better to speak up than nod along. From calling up past clients to hiring third-party inspectors, you have the power to clarify what's going on in your soon-to-be dream home.
2. Stay Involved
There are different degrees of involvement for buyers, depending on the policies of the builder and the interest of the buyer. Some buyers will want to be consulted on nearly everything, but others take a hands-off approach. When builders feel as though there's no oversight, they might be more likely to make executive decisions that stray from the original plans. Look for builders who go the extra mile. For example, a company that provides a quality report at the end of each workday. (Just make sure that it's one that you can interpret.)
3. Check the Job Site
This is probably the easiest tip for anyone who's unfamiliar with the home construction process. Cleanliness is often a sign of the builder's attention to detail and time management skills. If they don't see a problem in leaving litter around, they might not see a problem in rushing through the roofing either. Plus, how the site looks is also a signal to the crew and neighbors in terms of morale. The more disorganized, the more difficult it can be to respect the land and the home. However, keep in mind that a clean job site doesn't necessarily mean everything is perfect. Some crews might not compromise on their work just because they leave a mess, and vice versa.
4. Talk to the Supervisor
You should know who's in charge of regular supervision and what they think of the process. You don't have to be friends with them, but you should feel comfortable getting them on the phone and having a discussion. Supervisors should be giving you the real progress reports- ones that include unforeseen snags in the process as well as the triumphs. Just keep in mind that how a supervisor interacts with the crew will depend on their system. Some builders might rely primarily on subcontractors, which can affect the involvement or schedule of the supervisor.
5. Don't Second-Guess Yourself
When you're building a home from scratch, you don't want to make too many changes when you're already in the construction process. This doesn't mean that you can't have some last-minute requests, but it does mean that you should be keeping them to a minimum. Altering plans has ripple effects for other jobs down the line, creating more chances for mistakes to be made. You should have the location, team, and configuration details finalized long before anyone breaks ground. By keeping tabs on the build, there are fewer chances of an unpleasant surprise. While builders will work with you if problems are discovered after the official home inspection, it's easier to avoid those negotiations altogether by being involved from the beginning.About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.