Building a new home is a major investment. Before you hire a home builder, it’s important to ask the right questions upfront. At Segal & Morel, we have over 50 years of designing and building luxurious, energy-efficient homes. We know what questions to ask a potential builder before they start on this milestone event. More importantly, we know the answers and how to provide top-quality and energy-efficient homes to customers. Here, Segal & Morel outlines the questions you should ask to make the building process enjoyable and exciting.
How Much Can You Customize My Home?
One of the most important things you need to know from a potential building contractor is how flexible and accommodating they are to create your dream home. A home is one of the biggest lifetime investments you’ll make, and it’s where people spend the vast majority of their time. Therefore, your residence should be designed to fit your needs and wishes. The floor plans, ceiling heights, windows, cabinets, and even the backsplashes should suit you. A custom home builder is there to create your new abode to your desires and specifications.
What if I Want an Addition?
Your lifestyle is dynamic and continually changing. Your house needs to keep pace with the planned and unexpected shifts that life brings, and this may mean choosing a home addition. It’s important to make sure your contractor keeps these potential modifications in mind while constructing the original abode and can add on a sunroom, home office, or bedroom in case you need them.
What Happens if There Are Delays or Cost Increases?
Costs should be transparent from the get-go: make sure you ask about pricing upfront, although the builder should offer this information right away. Asking about delays and unexpected cost increases is an excellent question to have answered before breaking ground. Ideally, delays won’t occur, but in case they do, your home builder shouldn’t also increase the agreed-upon pricing. This is also an excellent time to inquire about warranties, what they cover, and if they are included in the final cost of the property.
Are There Home Owner Rules or Regulations in Planned Communities?
Knowing whether or not a community you’re considering moving into has rules and regulations is critical to find out before building your home there. For example, you may want to live in a peaceful place, where neighbors treat each other with respect and there are plenty of chances to get to know them. In this case, it’s important to create a home and community in a location where outdoor amenities, such as a tennis court, pool, clubhouse, basketball court, and children’s playground, are already built in.
Do You Offer Green Options and Appliances?
Another important question to ask is if the home builder takes the environment into account with each home they build. If the contractor isn’t doing everything they can to reduce their carbon footprint during all phases of construction you may want to consider a different company. Environmental Protection Agency has certified Segal & Morel Energy Star homes as 20% to 30% more energy-efficient than standard constructed homes. From high energy-saving caulking and insulation to appliances and lighting, we take green seriously.
Ask Segal & Morel about Custom Building Your Home
Segal & Morel is happy to answer all your questions about our custom-built and quickly constructed luxury homes and warranties. We can accommodate the needs and specifications of customers who wish to build their new home in New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. Contact us today for more information.
