Building a new home is no small feat! Choosing the right contractor will make all the difference in whether the path to your dream home is full of stress or success.
From late deliveries to failed inspections, a lot can go wrong when you don’t find the right team. Over the last 13+ years in the industry, we’ve heard our fair share of stories from clients and vendors who have hired and worked with other contractors who haven’t lived up to their promises.
Before you start calling potential contractors, here is a cheat sheet of tips on how to find a trustworthy home builder in Northern Wisconsin.
Verify Their Business License
The first step to ensure a successful home build project is to make sure your contractor holds a valid license.
Follow these steps to verify a Dwelling Contractor’s license in Wisconsin:
- Visit the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services License Portal website.
- Choose “Search by Organization Name.”
- Choose “Trades” as the category and “Dwelling Contractor” as the profession.
- Type in your contractor’s business name.
- Click “Search.”
If the company is listed as active, it means that the entity has met Wisconsin’s residential construction standards and is ready to do business!
Identify Insurance
The next step is to request proof of insurance. You’ll want your selected contractor to carry both General Liability and Workers’ Compensation Insurance. These two types of policies will protect you in the case of an accident while their team is on your property. Any established business should be able to provide proof of insurance, so don’t hesitate to ask!
Do Your Research
Many companies excel at marketing their services but may fall short in execution. That’s why it is crucial for you to do your due diligence before entering into any type of agreement or contract.
Internet reviews on sites such as Houzz or Facebook and testimonials on the contractors’ websites can help give you an inside perspective on what it’s like to work with them. Be sure to review their Google business listing as well. Look for reviews that mention the contractor’s craftsmanship, customer service, and ability to work through issues.
Request Pictures & Videos of Previous Work
Building a custom home is no small project, so don’t be afraid to ask for as much information as you need to make your decision. This includes pictures, videos, and case studies of their past work.
Review their social media profiles and websites to gain insight into the scope of their work and the quality of their finished projects. Building a new home requires a significant investment of time, money, and resources, so it is essential to ensure that your contractor can meet your specific expectations and deliver the results you envision.
Contractors should also be able to provide references that can confirm their quality of work. If you decide to contact their references, be sure to ask about the quality of the contractor’s craftsmanship, the process of working with them, and whether they were satisfied with the project’s timeline.
Compare Pricing & Scope of Services
Comparing projected costs from different companies is an important step in any home improvement or renovation project. It’s an even bigger step when taking on a project as large as building a custom home!
After you have spoken to all of the contractors and received their budgetary numbers, compare their pricing and scope of services to make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Remember that cheaper doesn’t always equal better. A lot of the time, especially in construction, spending a little more on a contractor with a great reputation, years of experience, and a commitment to delivering a high-quality project is better than cutting corners to lower your cost.
Get it In Writing
Once you’ve decided on a home builder and plan to move forward with your project, make sure you have a detailed contract. This legal document will protect all parties involved by laying out exactly what the contractor and the homeowner are responsible for.
It should clearly outline the following key components:
- Scope of Work: A detailed description of the work to be completed.
- Materials & Labor: Specifications of materials to be used and associated labor costs.
- Payment Terms: A transparent payment schedule linked to project milestones.
- Timeline and Deadlines: Start and completion dates, along with any critical milestones.
- Warranty Information: Details of any warranties on labor and materials. Lakefront Building & Design offers a 2-year general contractor warranty.
- Change Order Process: Procedures for managing changes to the original scope of work.
- Dispute Resolution: Established methods for resolving potential conflicts during the project.
Including these elements in the contract can prevent delays, additional costs, and misunderstandings.
Lakefront Building & Design: The Northern Wisconsin Contractor You Can Trust
For those seeking a trustworthy custom home builder in Northern Wisconsin, Lakefront Building & Design stands out as a company with extensive experience and a commitment to quality. The team focuses on crafting beautiful, high-quality homes while providing a seamless and personalized client experience.
By following these guidelines — verifying licenses, confirming insurance, reviewing past work, comparing pricing and scope, and getting it all in writing — you can feel more confident in selecting a contractor who will deliver the results you expect.
