When to select a builder

17 years ago

We have known which architect we are going to use for a while now, and have finally found a lot. We have done our due diligence, and had the architect and one of the builders he recommended look at and approve the lot. Since we have not officially selected a builder yet (the builder knew this), we insisted on paying the builder a small fee for his expertise while evaluating several lots and their own unique issues.

We are completely new to this, so we may be going about this the wrong way, but our initial thought was to work with the architect to get the house planned, then send these plans to three builders to get bids. The builder who helped us on the lot knew that he was going to be one of three evaluated. He recommends hiring a builder during the house design phase, as a builder will often help reign in architects who design things that are not really practical, or come up with design features that can be quite expensive when another perfectly acceptable alternative can be used. He said this will save architectural change fees and will get us a more practical and cost effective house.

Any thoughts on this? It seems reasonable to me, but then we wouldn't have the 'bid' process (although we would still interview the builders and find out their approach and cost structure). Although we certainly do not want to overpay for anything, we prefer to do this the best and most efficient way with a high quality builder.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

niffy
17 years ago
This is a tough one! We worked with our architect and had a builder in mind all along. When the plans were done and we got our bid, it was so far over budget we almost went back to the drawing board. We then discussed with the builder having him help us through that process, to be sure if we redrew the house, it would end up cheaper. HOWEVER, what we ended up doing, before resorting to that, was bidding out the original house to multiple builders - and we ended up getting the house we wanted through a different builder, for way less... So I guess I'd say don't limit yourself to one builder. Perhaps you could have him (or one of the other builders) consult again while you are drawing the house, before it is finalized with the architect, to be sure he doesn't see anything glaringly expensive. If you lock in now, and he is more expensive, you will be totally stuck. Plus he can be as expensive as he chooses if he's not competing with anyone for the project. The only other alternative I can think of is set your maximum budget now. Then hire the builder you like to assist in design - but the contract is null/void if he is not able to do the house within that budget when the drawings are done.
creek_side
17 years ago
We got our plans from the architect (not local), put in the driveway (it's long) and cleared the house site ourselves, then started looking at builders. We talked to quite a few, invited three to bid, then asked two more to bid when we were not happy with the first three bids and/or bidders.

We hired an excavator to do the major clearing work for us. We ended up using the builder he recommended. His recommendation carried a lot of weight because of the way he conducted his business.
Related Professionals
Hannibal Architects & Building Designers · Chambersburg Architects & Building Designers · Canton Architects & Building Designers · Janesville Architects & Building Designers · Tucson Architects & Building Designers · Hobbs Architects & Building Designers · Pierre Architects & Building Designers · Vidalia Design-Build Firms · Sedalia Design-Build Firms · Longview Design-Build Firms · Garden City Design-Build Firms · Bismarck Design-Build Firms · Portland Design-Build Firms · Plattsburgh Home Builders · Bridgeport Home Builders
allison0704
17 years ago
We got the original plans from our architect (out of state), put in the temporary driveway and had the underbrush clear - just over a year before we started finalizing the plans with our architect. Once the plans were finished, we interviewed two builders. Only two, because we've built/own commercial real estate and got one recommendation from our subs we have used for 20+ years and the second was a local builder whose work we liked. There was no competition once they were interviewed. We went for the one that was highly recommended by our subs. Never heard a bad word about him and we are still friends three years later.

He bid out the plans, getting 2-3 bids for items. He was open to using our subs and together, we found several he is still using on new homes today.

Our plans were finished when he signed on and no changes were made. Only small ones during construction - for example, enlarged our shower. Our builder was different than most here on BAH. He did not charge for change orders. The house cost what it cost, but his fee was set beforehand. We were just under budget anyway, but it it had cost more due to prices rising his fee would not have gone up.