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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. We've always wanted to build but don't know how to start, what do we do first? A. The first step in building should always be financing. There's no point in designing a home that you can not afford to build and spending up to your budget, with no cost overruns, is what Pete Vanden Berg Builder is all about. Find a bank with a good construction program and get pre-approved with a payment that won't cause you stress. Don't forget about the taxes and insurance! Pete can offer help in securing a good finance program with your interest in mind.
Q. We have a budget and financing lined up, now what? A. It's time to meet with Pete Vanden Berg Builder. Pete will help you with design selection and explain the cost surrounding the design options in today's market. Prices vary on the style of home you choose and you owe it to yourself to research all options before making your selection. Pete works with qualified, educated and experienced architects that will work with you on obtaining the floor plan that is tailored to your life style. Obtaining a good set of plans ranks right at the top of important factors when custom building your dream home.
Q. What guarantee do we have that the price quoted will build the house we want? We often hear about people going way over budget and getting into financial trouble. A. The price on the building quote that Pete Vanden Berg gives you leaves few questions. All of the products are listed and available for your review and all prices are locked in and guaranteed to you. Pete Vanden Berg Builder knows that you cannot be left to determine costs associated with your project and that peace of financial mind is a big concern to anyone building a new home.
Q. What are allowances that are quoted in the building contract? A. The allowances in the building contract are amounts of money set aside for the homeowners to go out and select/buy things for the new home. Each custom home is unique and each homeowner concentrates their spending on certain areas of the house. Examples of allowance categories are kitchen cabinets, flooring, lighting, appliances, landscaping, etc. After a thorough interview with Pete, your allowance categories will be listed with a dollar amount for each one. Any money you save while shopping for your allowance item is returned to you at settlement. Likewise, if you overspend in the allowance category, you will exceed your budget and owe the builder money at settlement. Pete Vanden Berg Builder asks each client to shop their allowance categories before signing a building contract, therefore giving you peace of mind and the assurance that your project won't go over budget.
Q. We don't know where to shop and we're not good at picking out colors, can you help with that? A. Pete Vanden Berg will steer you to professional resources for all your allowance items and pass on any builder discounts and savings to you! If you need help with color and style selections, there are interior designers ready to help at no extra cost. Pete wants your end product to be something that you are proud of and one that makes your friends realize that your new home stands above the rest.
Q. Do we have to wait for summer to build or can it be done during the winter? A. Pete Vanden Berg will build your home any time of the year. With today's building materials it is possible to construct during the winter months and not suffer a lack of quality. Extremely cold weather does delay outdoor construction but most winter months allow days where work can continue at a normal pace. Excessive rainy weather is the biggest hurdle, especially for remote job sites.
Q. How long does it take to build? A. For the average size home of 2,000 square feet, the construction time from excavation to move in, runs about 118 days. Larger houses take longer and smaller homes go quicker. Excessive rainy weather does delay things sometimes.
Q. How much or little involvement will we have in the whole building process? A. Initially, each homeowner is very involved in the design and selection process. Shopping for items and allowances in the home usually takes place prior to construction. Once the home begins, several in-site meetings are scheduled. 1. At framing completion. 2. Mechanical layouts and electrical rough in. 3. Trim carpentry stage 4. Final walk through and inspection Additional on-site meetings are available anytime but for busy homeowners it is not necessary. Pete also offers E-mail photo updates for out of town projects.
Q. We have family members that are in construction, may we use them in our home building process? A. If your relatives would like to submit a bid for work to be done, Pete will review their bids. Each sub contractor that works for Pete Vanden Berg must carry their own worker's comp and liability insurance and each sub contractor must have excellent references. Generally speaking, Pete discourages relatives from aiding in the project but the decision is yours to make. Pete maintains the same group of contractors for years at a time and their performance is the quality that shows in each home that is constructed. Also, each sub contractor is committed to warranty work after the home is completed.
Q. What kind of warranty comes with our new home? A. The warranty program offered is a one year workmanship warranty with additional years for items that carry separate warranties (furnace 20 years, windows lifetime warranty, etc.). At settlement, each owner is supplied with a Residential Construction Guidelines warranty book produce by the National Association of Residential Home Builders. The book list hundreds of possible problems that could occur in new construction and each item has a corrective measure that the builder must follow. Previous customers have found the book very helpful and equally fair. The book is available for review prior to signing a building contract. Pete makes prompt visits to any home in need of warranty work.
Q. We have many more questions but don't want to be a bother. A. Helping people understand the building process is what Pete Vanden Berg Builder is all about. There is no dumb questions and evening meetings are available. Call today for your free appointment!
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