Choosing a custom home builder is a weighty decision. While price estimates and impressive portfolios are important factors, the quality and integrity of the contractors in question are even more important.
The average high-end custom home takes about one year or more from the initial design, permit, and groundbreaking moments to the day you gain occupancy. When you hire your prospective builder, you’re forging a long-term partnership, so their trustworthiness, reliability, and comfortable rapport must be equal to their craftsmanship.
3 Things That Sets Fogle Constructors Ahead of the Rest
Our portfolio and customer referrals are a testament to the work we do and our company culture. However, we want to focus on the three things we feel sets our construction company ahead of our competitors.
If you are in the process of choosing a contractor for an upcoming residential project, visit our post How to Find a General Contractor in DeLand You Can Trust, and then see how your prospects rank when it comes to these three important factors.
1. Honesty and Integrity
As with any relationship, honesty is essential. That includes honesty and transparency. But, what do honesty and transparency actually mean to us in the design and build industry?
No schmoozy sales pitches
We are salespeople only in the sense that we want to make a living doing what we love, and that requires meeting with prospective clients and sharing our expertise, values, and business approach. The difference is that we do that without any fake shmooze or shallow sales pitches. We don’t make promises we can’t keep, we don’t put down our competitors, and we always tell it like it is so there is no confusion on the customers’ part.
We like to say that we are honest about the hard stuff even when it isn’t what the customer wants to hear. So keep that in mind when interviewing prospective builders. If they paint an “everything’s always rosy, no-stress picture” of the custom home building process, they’re not honest.
Of course, we work to make the process as low-stress as possible, but there are all kinds of things that pop up along the way of a long-term home building project, many of which are out of the contractors’ or suppliers’ control and are unable to be predicted from the outset. We’re honest about that, and we guarantee you’ll be delighted with your beautiful home as a result of our diligent work ethic and creative problem-solving.
Clear communication (we never make up excuses)
Clear lines of communication are essential. Your contractor should provide you with a single point-of-contact, an organized construction schedule and should be available to answer questions or listen to your concerns at all times. While you may never don a toolbelt or operate a skill saw, you should absolutely feel like you are part of the team.
Clients should never feel out of the loop – as if the construction process is a mystery or they are on a need-to-know basis. Fogle Constructors is always willing to continue a conversation ahead of a signed proposal because we understand how important your decision to hire a custom home builder is to the process. Our team does everything we can to make you feel heard and understood – whether you choose to work with us or not.
On the flip side of the pre-project communication stream, if one of our subcontractors makes a mistake (we’re all human), we own it, acknowledge it, and let you know how we’re fixing it. If materials weren’t delivered on time, we let you know and keep you in the loop about how it affects your building schedule. If something is on backorder and will delay our progress, you’ll be the first to know, and we’ll work with you to determine the next best steps forward.
Check out 7 Ways to Prepare Yourself For a Fulfilling Remodeling Experience. While your project is more involved than a remodel, many of the tenets are the same, such as “expect the unexpected” and “create an emergency contingency plan in the budget.” By preparing yourself for what lies ahead and working with an honest and communicative builder, your custom home experience is far more satisfying and free of stress.
3. Fair and Competitive Pricing
We understand that the lowest estimate price is appealing, and we also know it’s not always realistic. So many builders intentionally slash their bid totals to get the job, knowing 100% the project will wind up costing far more than that by the time the last inspection is signed off. They know they’ll make their money back via change orders and “product price increases,” but that you’ll be compelled to continue moving forward and with no recourse to fight the cost changes.
Here at Fogle Constructors, we present realistic estimates that reflect the current industry reality and our commitment to high-quality materials and craftsmanship from the variety of subcontractors we work with along the way. We want the price we quote to be as close as possible to the price you pay. So, while our estimate may look higher than others at first glance, we promise that our is the most realistic and less likely to change from project beginning to end.
If you have questions about why our estimate is higher than another construction firm’s, bring estimates to us. We’ll go over them with you, so you understand the difference and can make a more informed decision.
3. A Higher-Quality of Personalized Service at Every Level
Fogle Constructors customers are the priority from start to finish, and we support you every step of the way. We’re skilled in everything from lot evaluation and soil testing, to material recommendations and selection, to a completely custom design and build, which means you shouldn’t have to consult with any other experts from the minute you get into contract. That said, we’re also happy to work with your own architect or interior designer and have a reputation for forging professional and trustworthy relationships with them as well.
We view building codes as a standard, and our company is dedicated to building better-than-standard homes. Your custom home will be built with materials that are a step or two above “standard,” so you can trust our work stands the test of time. Our carpenters and detailers are trained to pay attention to even the most minute details, so every last feature and finish in your home is completed to the absolute highest structural and visual standards.
If you’re planning to build a custom home this year, schedule a consultation with Fogle Constructors. We are committed to ensuring your vision is carried out thoughtfully with respect to your budget and timeline. That commitment is just one of the reasons that make building a custom home with Fogle Constructors different.
