Things You'll Need:
- Telephone
- Pad & pencil
- Internet access
- Construction documents
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Step 1
Develop a long list of builders by asking family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. for recommendations. Just ask these people if they've ever done a project as you're about to undertake and if they can make any recommendations for builders. Regardless of the horror stories that are so often cited in the press, most people have had a positive experience with a builder and would gladly make a recommendation. Your long list should have about 10 names on it.
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Step 2
Using your long list, research these builders using the internet. Sites like Angies List, the Better Business Bureau, etc. are useful when researching whether any of the builders on your list have had problems. You may want to strike the name off the list if you find some negative feedback. However, this isn't always the case and, in the event that you find negative feedback, you'll want to do some more investigating as to why.
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Step 3
Using your long list as modified by the research you did in step 2, call each potential builder and conduct a telephone interview. Describe your project and ask the builder if they would be interested in working on it. Ask about the builder's work load, how they go about managing a project and for references.
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Step 4
Check into the references. Usually a reference is listed because that person will provide a glowing recommendation. But this isn't always the case. When you contact these people, ask if there were any hiccups during the project and how the builder responded. Was the builder helpful, even tempered and cooperative or the opposite? Did the builder work with you and the architect to resolve issues? These and more are all important questions to ask.
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Step 5
As a result of the telephone interviews, reference checking and internet research, narrow the long list of potential builders to a short of at most four builders. Provide each of these builders with a set of the construction documents developed by your architect and ask for the builder to submit a proposal. This proposal should include at a minimum costs, staffing, alternatives and schedule.
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Step 6
If you don't have construction documents and are expecting that the builder will team with the architect to design and build the project, interview the design and build team and ask that they prepare a detailed proposal for your review. Again, this proposal should include a design that satisfies your needs, cost, schedule, staffing, etc.
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Step 7
Evaluate the proposals received as part of steps 5 & 6 above. Your architect can help with this evaluation if you already have hired an architect. To properly understand these proposals you'll want to compare apples to apples. This requires a careful reading of each without simply focusing on the bottom line.
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Step 8
Conduct post bid interviews. Ask each proposer what possible pit falls they see in your project, what the sequence of events will be, how they will staff the project, what protective measures they will take, how they will accommodate your living in the house while it's being renovated, etc. It'll be important for you to get a good feel for who these proposer's are and how easily you can work with them.
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Step 9
You should now be in a position to select the right builder for you. This selection should be based on more than just bottom line costs. Your ability to work with and trust the builder will be paramount.
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Step 10
Execute a contract with the builder so that all of the details are spelled out. The American Institute of Architects provides many standard forms of agreement that can be used subject to your attorney's review.
