By Anastasia Megdanis
How do you make your house into a home? One of the first and most crucial steps is choosing the right builder. Whether you are renovating or starting from scratch, you need to find the right fit.
Rosemarie Selman, executive officer at the Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association, gives insight on the building process and how to choose a builder to accommodate your needs. She recommends starting at the GBVBA website where you can find a listing of local builders, their contact information, and the type of projects they specialize in.
The GBVBA is an affiliate of the Texas Association of Builders and National Association of Home Builders. Because the association represents the Greater Brazos Valley, its contact list of builders and associate members provides options from eight counties, not just Bryan College Station. “We educate, legislate, and communicate for the building industry,” says Selman. “Primarily residential, but we also have multi-family builders as well as commercial developers and residential developers.”
In order to choose from this wide variety, you should have an idea of what kind of project you are considering. “I would most definitely recommend getting three to four estimates for a renovation or remodel,” says Selman. The same would go for new construction. You should be sure there is a contract that outlines the cost details of the remodel or the new construction build.
Any agreement or contract should be fully understood and approved by both the builder and customer before proceeding. This will maintain accountability on both sides of the project to ensure everything goes smoothly during what could be a slightly stressful process.
After getting estimates, there are a few more boxes to check to ensure a builder is right for you. “Check your local Better Business Bureau to make sure that there are no complaints against the company; ask if they have workers’ compensation [and] general liability insurance,” says Selman. It is also a good idea to see if they are a member of their local builders association. Taking these measures will assure that your builder is serious about their business and reliable when it comes to satisfying your standards.
Second opinions are encouraged when it comes to health, so they should be when it comes to your home as well. Asking for references from previous clients and portfolios from those projects will help in gaining a better understanding of the builder’s style and ability to maintain open and honest communication throughout the project.
If you happen to live in or near the Greater Brazos Valley, the Parade of Homes™ is a great way help your decisions. The GBVBA puts on two Parade of Homes™ each year in addition to the Home and Garden Expo. “To actually be there and be able to see the work, I think, is one of the greatest advantages during Parade of Homes that will give you a feel for what the builders design aspects look like,” says Selman. These are just two of the many ways that GBVBA helps to facilitate good business between builder members and associate members and the community they serve.
The Greater Brazos Valley is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing communities in Texas and much of that can be attributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of the building community. “We have so many people moving into our community because it is such a great place to live so there has not been a slow time in building,” says Selman.
All the growth within the community is a great sign. If remodeling or building is something you are considering, the Greater Brazos Valley is the place to do it. With help from the GBVBA, their members, and referrals from those around you, the process of making your house into a home should be one you enjoy.
For more tips on choosing a builder and information on the GBVBA, visit www.gbvbuilders.org.
