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5 Questions to Ask When Hiring Tri-Cities Home Builders

May 27, 2019

When hiring home builders, it’s important you choose a company that has a great reputation and that you can trust. However, it is also beneficial to choose home builders who have worked in the area that you are living in and know it very well. It simply makes things easier and helps give you peace of mind as well. If you are looking to build a home in the Tri-Cities here in Washington, it makes sense for you to go with a company that has experience working in this area. The Tri-Cities are three closely tied cities that all border each other. These three cities are Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. If you are located in any of these cities, at New Tradition Homes, we want to help you in your home building process. To help you begin, here are five questions that you should be sure to ask when hiring Tri-Cities home builders. Are you part of the Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities? If you’re choosing between Tri-Cities home builders, you want to make sure that they are part of the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Tri-Cities. This organization was created for consumers’ protection, as all members are dedicated to the most professional standards and sound business practices. The mission of the HBA of Tri-Cities is that it “exists so that members of the residential construction industry and related businesses can conduct their businesses efficiently and ethically to provide our community with reliable and affordable homes. To work towards achieving this mission, HBA staff will monitor government affairs concerning land use, the environment, affordable housing, and building codes by promoting balanced policies that accommodate responsible free-market demand and consumer choice.” If the home builders you’re looking to hire are members of the HBA of Tri-Cities, you are guaranteeing that you will be given quality construction. Furthermore, you know that you won’t be scammed, as the organization has already been vetted in order to be a member of this prestigious organization. At New Tradition Homes, we’re proud to be members of the Home Builders Association of Tri-Cities. How many homes have you built in the Tri-Cities? You want to choose home builders who have ample experience and who know what they’re doing. By knowing the number of homes they have already built in the Tri-Cities, you are getting a good idea of their practice and of their past work. You have a clear idea of if they are veterans or if they are newer to the industry. In the end, the decision is up to you, however, it can be a little concerning if the home builders you are talking with have not built a home in the Tri-Cities yet. It’s beneficial to choose home builders who have already worked in your area. By doing this, you are ensuring that they know the proper permits, insurance, and licenses that need to be obtained before building can even begin. They also are aware of all the rules and regulations. Can you show me examples of homes in the area you have built? There’s nothing more comforting than seeing home builders’ work firsthand. Ask the Tri-Cities home builders you are speaking with for photos of some of the homes they’ve built in the area. If the company permits, ask them for addresses so you can drive by and see the work up close. Being able to see a home builder’s final product for yourself is one of the most reassuring things you can do. You’ll be able to clearly see their work style, their attention to detail, and how everything came together and is holding up. Are there specific areas of the Tri-Cities you build in? Not every company necessarily builds in every area of the Tri-Cities. It’s important for you to ask the home builders you are meeting with if they cover all of the Tri-Cities or just certain areas. If their answer is that they only cover certain areas, make sure that the area you plan on living in is one of their covered areas. You don’t want to hire them only to find out they don’t actually build in that specific area, because then you’ll have to go through the searching process all over again! For instance, we here at New Tradition Homes build in Badger Mountain South – West Village in Richland, Columbia Terrace in Pasco, and Olympia Estates in Kennewick. However, we also offer a “build anywhere (on your lot)” option. This is something that not all home builders offer. Do you have set prices for set areas? Cost is a big factor when it comes to building a new home. You want to make sure that the home builders you are choosing fit within your budget. Because of this, it’s important to ask for the cost of the project from the get-go. Additionally, it is also important to ask for the cost of specific areas, as different locations within the Tri-Cities can mean differences in pricing. To give you an example of this potential price difference, our new home communities in Badger Mountain South – West Village in Richland and in Columbia Terrace in Pasco both start from the mid $300s. However, our new home communities in Olympia Estates in Kennewick start from the mid $200s. There are so many important questions for you to ask your new home builders. The above five questions are a guide to some of the questions you should be asking your Tri-Cities home builders before committing to one superficially. You want a company that you can trust, that will not overcharge you, and that will give you the highest quality of work. By finding out answers to all of the above, you’ll be much better equipped to make the right decision in terms of choosing a home builder. We here at New Tradition homes are happy to answer any of the above questions and any more that you may have. Please feel free to give us a call anytime and we are happy to chat!