Celebrating the Holidays JH Fisher Style

Turn Your Next Remodel into an Opportunity

You might hear the world “remodel” and envision a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, or tacking an addition on to your home. Sometimes they are cosmetic and sometimes they indicate that you have reached a milestone in your life and are ready for something new.

Remodeling is more than keeping up with the neighbors, though. In some cases, it can save or extend the life your home. Here are some common issues associated with older homes that can be addressed during your remodel:

-          Prevent fires and eliminate a recognized hazard by replacing aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring with copper.

-          Add value and safety to an addition by adding a window that allows proper egress in case of emergency.

-          Some older homes are still on fuses. Update to a newer and safer circuit box.

-          If you still have galvanized piping, you probably don’t want to know what the water that you drink and wash in is really traveling through. Update to newer, long-lasting and cleaner plumbing.

-          Other hazards: due to decades of improved building standards, today’s homeowner might forget that there are still many homes that require improvements like asbestos abatement. Your scheduled remodel could be the perfect opportunity to square away such concerns once and for all. You’ll improve the value of your home and the safety of your family.

Take the remodeling opportunity to make smart choices for your home. Protect your family, your investment and your future. Contact JH Fisher Construction, Inc. with your remodeling questions today!

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Hiring a Custom Builder? Top Questions You Should Ask (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this feature, we discussed 6 basic questions you should ask a prospective builder before contracting him to construct your custom home. The last eight questions are more complicated or sensitive and may require additional research and verification on your part. They are also critical for establishing ability, preparedness and credibility, so don’t take these lightly, and don’t be afraid to ask.

1.      Have you ever had a lien filed against one of your jobs, and if so, why?

A forthcoming answer is a good sign. Every business runs the risk of entanglement in litigation (fair or not) and financial issues. You want verifiable explanations that indicate that the builder is responsible, knowledgeable and responsive during even the most trying exchanges.

2.      Are you currently in a lawsuit or litigation?

There are two sides to every story. Is your builder willing to be open with you about litigation situations and refer you to his counsel for further information on the matter? Is he in a position to withstand exposures whether or not he is at fault? What risk does he run that might put your project ultimately at risk?

3.      Are you willing to disclose your financials?

Can your builder back up his ability to handle the significant transactions involved in new construction? The economy has hit every sector hard, and you may be sympathetic, but at the end of the day, your money needs to be invested sensibly in the material and labor that will get your house built.

4.      Do we have your permission to contact city and county business officials about your work?

Officials will generally be limited to matters of public record, but there should be no egregious instances of failure to perform or failure to comply that are on their radars.

5.      Do you have a relationship or experience with the Architectural Review Board of our subdivision?

The Board is usually made up of current homeowners in each subdivision. What is your prospective builder’s reputation? Do they comply to standards, act responsibly and keep the streets clean? Have there been any nightmare experiences you need to know more about?

6.      Do you work with a designer or architect?

Most builders are not designers or architects. Who do they work with and why?

7.      How does the beginning of your building process work?

You want to know what you’re getting yourself into. A defined process for a successful start should be explained and you should be clear on your responsibilities as well as the builder’s.

8.      How do you get paid? How do you obtain draws?

You will be making an investment in your future home – establish with the prospective builder what the payment timing and methods are. Determine how much the initial deposit will be and whether or not it is in line with the local industry standard.

The key is to ask tough questions and expect truthful, forthcoming answers. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a response, it is your duty as a buyer to investigate and as in many transactions, to trust your instincts. Be an informed consumer instead of a victim.

If you would like more insight into your own custom building or remodeling questions, contact JH Fisher Construction, Inc. today.

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Hiring a Custom Builder? Top Questions You Should Ask (Part 1)

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Most people are lucky to have just one custom home built in their lifetimes. Since you probably don’t get a chance to do something on this scale over and over, how are you supposed to choose the right expert custom home builder for you?

We’ll start with the “obvious” questions that you might not have included on your interview list. These questions establish general background, specific experience, local expertise and client satisfaction. Don’t be afraid to ask these questions – your rapport with your builder is going to be critical over the life of your construction or remodeling project and you need to start with basic trust and open communication:

1.      How long have you been in business?

Clearly, you’re looking for experience and an answer that is verifiable and non-evasive.

2.      What did you do before you started in the custom building business?

Was your prospective builder in a related business previously, or is he starting a second career based on limited knowledge of the industry?

3.      How and why did you decide to become a custom builder?

4.      How many homes have you built in this area?

You might have identified a wonderful, talented builder – but do you really want to be his first client in your region? Unlike many professions, local expertise in homebuilding is critical. An experienced local builder understands everything from weather conditions to local ordinances to the complete histories of the various subcontractors available to complete your home.

5.      How many homes do you build per year, average?

6.      Do you have a list of 3 past references and all of your current clients for the past two years that you would be willing to share?

A reputable builder should be willing to share a list of current and recent clients for referral purposes. Look for a consistent positive response and for evidence of any recent major slips in service or product that may require further investigation.

In Part 2 of this post we’ll help you dive into more sensitive and complicated questions like establishing financial credibility, asking about liens and litigation and understanding what the process of working with your builder will be. If you’re considering building a custom home in the greater-Williamsburg region and surrounding areas, call JH Fisher Construction, Inc. today.