New equals better, right? Not necessarily, especially when referring to a home. Those considering buying a piece of property and building a new home should carefully consider the advantages and drawbacks of new construction. There are good arguments for both sides. Before hiring any builders in Inverness, consider carefully what you will get.
New homes in the Inverness area today are, on average, about one-third smaller than those built 100 years ago. This means that a modern, three or four-bedroom home is probably going to be less roomy than a two-bedroom Victorian cottage. Modern buildings in general lack the spaciousness and open feeling of the high ceilings and large rooms common in older construction. In housing developments, the homes often look similar, and have less individual character.
A newly built home usually comes without mature landscaping, or may be in an underdeveloped new area still lacking convenient shops and services. The owner must also consider the additional costs other than the land and building work itself, and have enough funds on hand to cover all contingencies. New construction almost always exceeds the written budget, and there are a maze of regulations to consider before even beginning.
On the other hand, new houses need no renovation, obviously, and have no repair history. The roof should not leak, and operating and maintenance costs should be less than those of an older home. The plumbing and heating will meet modern standards without having to be upgraded, and there should be warranties against defects. Obtaining financing is sometimes easier, and there will probably be good resale potential.
If you simply don’t want to deal with the built-in problems common to many older homes, a fresh start may be the best choice. The buyer can choose the options that fit his or her individual tastes and requirements, almost like buying a new car. Customizing that home will take a few years before the new building takes on an individuality of its own.
But, if you decide to buy a property, remove any of the old existing buildings and create something brand new and fresh, what should you look for in a builder? Choosing a contractor is not an exact science. A brief look at listings shows that there are quite a few choices in Inverness alone. Making a decision can be frustrating if you don’t know what to look for.
The first thing to examine would be experience. Don’t select a contractor solely because he made the lowest bid. Find out a builder’s reputation, because money saved on the initial estimate may be eaten up by problems arising later due to inexperience or ill-advised cost-cutting measures. Narrow down your choices, and then try to personally meet with them before making a decision. Take a prospective builder out to lunch, and ask all your questions in a setting where you have undivided attention. It helps to actually write down your concerns beforehand, so that there will be no unpleasant surprises regarding cost, estimated time the construction will take, or subcontractors that will need to be used.
Don’t reject someone simply because they are new to the construction arena. You may be actually feel much more comfortable with newcomers than older, more established builders in Inverness. Avoid working with someone whose attitude make you feel feel uneasy or unsure, even if they have lengthy and proven track record. A good personal relationship is essential, because you will be dealing with a contractor for an extended period of time. Then, once you have pared down the list, talk to others who have hired them. See if they are satisfied with the final outcome. This will give you a sound basis for making the right choice in order to make the construction process smooth and trouble-free.
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