Important Factors to Consider
Finding the right post and beam home builder is both a professional and personal search. Research the builder’s professional qualifications and don’t overlook the need for the builder’s personality to mesh with yours. Your comfort and trust level will come into play as you traverse the process. Knowing as much as possible about your builder before hand is extremely valuable.
Gather Home Builder Information
Do your homework when it comes to construction companies and individual general contractors. Ask questions – a lot of them. Research post and beam home build companies to find out about their process, what they do and don’t do and be specific as possible. Visit homes they have built and tour them whenever possible. Ask the owners about their experience with the builder.
Some questions to ask home owners: Are you happy with your home? Were there any issues? If you had any problems, were they fixed promptly and properly? Would you build another home with this contractor?
People are as individual as their homes and have differing opinions on what constitutes an issue. It’s important to speak with as many homeowners as possible. An issue to one person may not be something you find concerning.
Quality and Value
Research the materials used by your list of potential builders. Only quality materials should be used. Ask questions about the materials. If the company/builder isn’t forthcoming or has an insufficient response, do further research on the materials they’re using. The internet has a wealth of knowledge on this subject. You’ll quickly discover which materials are considered quality and those that are not.
Quality will cost more. Ultimately, it’s your choice, but value now and in the future is something to be considered before you begin your build.
Direct Builder Client Relationship
Will the home builder and/or general contractor work with you directly, or will there be intermediaries? How does the builder’s communication process work? Are they sufficiently accessible to meet your comfort level?
Custom Design Options
Find out if your post and beam home builder allows for custom design options and, if so, what the parameters are if changes are allowed.
In today’s home builder vernacular, customization can mean anything from two or three design alterations to a complete custom design of your home.
NOTE: Yankee Barn Homes is a complete custom design/build company.
Build Experience
While builder experience can vary and is not the be all and end all when it comes to capability, it is a factor. The longer a company or builder has been in business, the more likely it is there will be helpful information available regarding their history and success rate. Not to mention their ability to problem-solve on the fly. They’ve likely “seen it before” and know what works.
