Builder
It is important to select a qualified builder who can complete your project for the quoted price in an acceptable time frame. Your builder must have the financial and physical resources required to construct the home and be able to meet contractual obligations.
The time taken to complete your home will depend on the size, location and complexity of the project. The same issues affect construction costs. This is why it is dangerous to work with organizations that use average per square foot pricing without taking project specifics into account.
A thorough evaluation of the site is necessary to determine what challenges may arise in the design and building process. Specifics include an evaluation of site conditions, engineering and permit requirements, seasonal conditions, remoteness of location and availability of services, etc.
Qualified builders are a key element of the success of any construction project. This is particularly true for building custom homes which tend to be more complex and larger than most other types of homes.
When hiring builders you should make sure:
- Available when needed
- Licensed & bonded
- Properly insured
- Experienced with references
- Written quotes – fixed price or cost plus
- Defined scope of work as part of the contract
- Amendments in writing
- Home warranty certification if applicable
There are many variables that will affect the costs of construction and ongoing maintenance costs after the 
home is built. In addition to costing the actual construction you will need to consider issues including access, site preparation and availability of services.
Getting a fixed price on the entire project is generally not feasible due to the complexity of building a custom home. Qualified builders and sub-trades can only provide you with realistic construction quotes based on a site specific design and the type of materials that will be used.
Beware of builders who quote finished prices per square foot for the whole project. This approach is usually unrealistic and can result in budget overruns. Homeowners often find themselves in a situation where a builder will ask for more money during construction if they have underestimated the cost of materials and work involved.
A combination of fixed prices and realistic allowances is the most accurate budgeting method. Linwood uses a detailed construction worksheet based on our experience of building thousands of homes in challenging locations.