What should you look for in a home builder

Your builder will be responsible for the quality of your investment. It’s imperative that you take the time to research and pick a builder you can trust – now and into the future.

Here are some things to consider as you search for the company you entrust with building your log home:

• Choose a builder that is knowledgeable about construction in the Hocking Hills area, and local laws and zoning regulations.
• Evaluate how well you and the builder communicate during the early stages of your discussion; for instance, is the builder easy to contact and prompt to respond?
• Ask to visit homes the builder has built. Not only will you be able to better judge the quality of workmanship, you may also see design elements you’ll want to include (or exclude from) your own home plans.
• Check the builder’s references. A reputable builder will have a variety of previous clients willing to serve as references. The more previous clients you can talk to, the more confidence you will have in choosing your builder.
• Ask for a copy of the builder’s liability and workers compensation insurance coverage.
• Evaluate the builder’s warranty on new construction. What does it cover and for how long? What does it exclude? Who handles the permits and inspections?
• Evaluate how “green” the builder’s construction practices are. Does the builder preserve as much character and beauty of the land as possible?
• Explore each other’s timelines. Does your time table for completion fit the builder’s workload and schedule? Ask for referrals for similar projects completed within a similar timeline.