Questions to Ask Before You Build
A new home purchase should begin with lots of questions to help you to understand the buying process and make the right decisions about the builder you choose to work with and the home you buy. Here are some of the common questions that new home buyers ask, as collected by the Canadian Home Builders’ Assocation.
How do I choose the right new home builder?
Start out by contacting a number of new home builders. Check out each company, the quality of their homes and their approach to dealing with home buyers. Visit show homes, sales offices and community developments. Get facts and figures about every builder. For instance, how long have they been in business? Where have they built before? Do they belong to the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association (SRHBA)? Get references to past customers and follow up. Now you have a solid basis for comparison and decision-making.
How long will it take to build my home?
The time required to build a new home can vary considerably, depending on lot preparations, the size of your home, the complexity of its design, availability of labour, and many other factors. Your builder will provide you with a schedule of milestones, so you’ll know what to expect and when.
How can I personalize my home?
The vast majority of new home builders offer a great selection of finishing products (e.g. flooring, cabinetry, fixtures) so home buyers can pick and choose according to their own tastes. Often, a plan or layout can be modified—e.g. moving walls, expanding closets, adding windows. However, each builder has a different approach, so make sure to ask: What are my choices? Can I make changes? What are the costs, if any?
Can I visit the construction site?
Seeing your home take shape can be an exciting aspect of buying a new home. Ask your builder about the company’s policy on site visits and how to make arrangements. For safety reasons, you should not make unscheduled visits. It is also against workplace safety regulations. Find out who will be your contact person during construction, and how they will communicate with you.
What are your payment terms?
How much of a deposit does the builder require to reserve a home and sign a contract? Does the company require progress payments linked to milestones? Will you have to pay for upgrades and extras separately at the time of selection, or will the cost be added to the final balance due upon completion? How does the company deal with change orders, in case you wish to make changes after construction begins? The builder’s payment structure can influence your financing arrangements, so make sure you discuss the details with your lender.
Is my deposit protected?
All professional builder members of the SRHBA provide third-party warranty on their homes to protect purchasers for specified periods of time. Under this warranty, home buyers’ deposits are protected, up to a certain amount, in case the builder is unable to close the sale or complete construction. If your builder is not a member of the SRHBA, make sure you verify that they do in fact use third-party warranty, as it is not mandatory in Saskatchewan. Also, the coverage offered by warranty programs varies, so it is important to ask your builder to explain exactly what kind of warranty the company offers and what’s covered, or call the warranty provider for information.