The first thing that came to mind as I read the responses from folks who said they were told their builder's O/A and profit was that they only got what the builder typically gives out for public consumption. The second thought I had was how on earth does a consumer compare the quality of work, schedule maintenance and ease of communication between contractors who quote a "fee" (whatever that means) of 8%-15%-20% or whatever? Is the "fee" the overhead/administration, the profit, both or none of the above? Sorry to say but none of these numbers really mean very much in the grander scheme of things for consumers. What (should) matter to an owner is the quality of the work, how long it takes for occupancy, if the builder can carry on a resonable conversation using simple declarative sentences, and the bottom-line expense to be able to move in and occupy the completed house. And appraisals (for financing and insurance) are often in another world entirely unrelated to construction costs which is called "comparable sales" by appraisers/real estate agends and the most boggling phrase of all "replacement cost" by insurance reps. It's natural enough to wonder and even ask about builder's O/A and profit. Just don't think you're going to get a useful number. Just my experience.

What kind of walls for the basement? Poured concrete or mfg panels. Superior Walls is one for mfg panels. Poured concrete? I don't know enough To advise you but I understand the state of Al has a requirement for the Concrete. Maybe the density? You can choose your windows, doors, flooring, paint, of course light fixtures, Bath fixtures. He should give you an allowance for some of these also for Window coverings if you wish. Brick or siding you choose. Paint you choose color and quality. He may buy From the back room if you let him. 2by 4 studs or 2 by 6?for walls. Front door? Do you want to choose? Do you need one bath to be accessible Easier and less costly to have a wide bath door put in now.. I'm rambling? Start at the front door of your plans and walk through the house and see what you like and what you would change. Jo

Hi there! I've been trying to read some books on the home building process and took some notes. Here are some of the Builder Considerations I noted: BUILDER CONSIDERATIONS 1. Who and what experience does the site supervisor have? 2. How many houses will he be managing during construction period? What is the limit? 3. Meet site superintendent before signing contract. Questions for superintendent: Thoughts on hiring private inspector? Has superintendent run other projects for this firm? Where? 5. Considerations when comparing builders: A. Drainage away from house B. 4 in vs 2 in window/door trim? C. Stair-railing spindles 1 3/8 in or 1 3/4 inch: extra 3/8 inch give railing more strength. D. Condition of worksite/cleanliness, materials stored/protected? E. Quality of finishes F. Engineered floor joists? These are actually better. 6. Does builder have a variety of home styles he completes? 7. What size house does he usually build. If your house will be bigger/smaller than this, how would he handle a difference of this magnitude. 8. If considering a home-plan service, ask if heâÂÂs built homes from a home-plan service. Which one? 9. Does builder have a portfolio of plans? Using a builder plan may have advantages, as costs will be more known. How soon can he start job? Does he carry liability insurance that includes errors-and-ommissions coverage? Stipulate that an insurance policy be maintained for the duration of the project. IMPORTANT. How many houses does he build at a time? How many people working for him? Ask each builder for a standard specification sheet. What kind of allowance items you can expect with your budget. Does builder help in making selections? Accompany you to the suppliers? Warranties and guarantees- what will he come back to fix after completion? Can you meet with builder/architect before you sign? How often will he be onsite to check job?

I worked for builders in high end new home construction for many years. First, ask your architect if he works with any builders. We always had a relationship with a few architects. BTW, if your architect doesn't work with any builders, I might question that. Obviously, try to tour some homes. Ask for recent and OLDER references from owners. You want to know how the home has fared over the years and also what level of service the builder has provided. Everyone is enthusiastic in the first flush of a brand new home. The other side of that coin is someone who hasn't had a positive experience in the process and can't separate that from the quality of the home and/or service. If you are building in an area with other new construction, ask your prospective neighbors who built their homes. Meet in person with the builder several times before you ask him or her to bid the project. You are going to have a relationship (whether you like it or not, lol) with this person and their staff. There must be some level of rapport. Ask about every process. How are selections made? Does the builder require you to use certain vendors? What is his mark up on upgrades if you must use preferred vendors? What is the timeline of construction? How are change orders handled? Where might "fee creep" occur? This can happen with change orders or any other administrative tasks. Ask how long his subs and trades have been with him. A lot of turnover in subs is a huge red flag. How are your payments structured during construction? In my experience, the most efficient way to build a house is to MAKE EVERY SELECTION before construction even begins. A 4,200 sq ft (and up) house can be completed in 4 to 6 months from excavation to final walk through if everyone is on the same page with selections. This doesn't mean you can't change your mind (to a degree), but it certainly streamlines the process.