What to ask the builder in the first meeting? thanks
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do you take credit cards ?
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I prefer...."Is this enough money?" .....and give produce a grocery bag or two full of crisp $100's......
that'll get the conversation flowing.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
jeff, stop, yur killin me.... can't you see this is a serious discussion ?
sorry , hops , that damn jeff, just can't let a straight line goMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
is frankie around? ask for three references.
thanks all...love the humor
Humor.....I was serious!
Just had a meeting with some folks for some small scale remodeling.....nothing at like homebuilding...but they told me right up front that they had never "done this before" and wanted to know the steps first.
If you don't know what steps...or questions..to ask....
take the advice here....but I'll add.......pick a contractor that will take the time to answer your questions and full explain what info and decisions he'll need from ya. If this is the very first time you've done this.....you might need someone more willing to hold your hand and walk you thru the process.
Combine that with your instaicts and their referals to make sure ya get someone that'll walk ya thru a great project...not just walk ya straight thru your bank account!
Gotta have trust on boths sides of the contract...but gotta have a solid contract too!
Jeff...show me tha money.....BuckBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Read all the posts on this site, Quittin time, Joe Fusco's site and JLCOnline. Particularly the business sections. that'll give you a feel for some things you'll be dealing with.
bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
Edited 12/16/2002 6:42:37 PM ET by bobl
what is the reason for the first meeting ?
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Very good ,but I was thinking more along the lines of how to find out if he/she is the right builder for my new house project.
Questions to ask (but not in order):
Things to check:
Have you hired him, or are you selecting someone to hire?
just starting the process
Ask about what kind of projects he has worked on; try to see if he has done work similar to what you are thinking of, similar either in style or size or working arrangement, etc. Look for references and photos of his work. Just like a first date, you want to see if this relationship can go anywhere. And trust your intuition; it's helpful to have a female with you: it may be an old tale, but I have seen too many examples of women who "felt" there was something about a person they didn't like, and it turned out that there was a reason for it.