Blog Layout

Questions to Ask When Hiring Local Home Builders

December 14, 2023

New home construction is the best way to ensure you get the ideal living space instead of finding yourself wanting more from your home. According to Custom Builder, about 31% of homeowners seeking a custom home want one that is more than 500 square feet bigger than their current homes. In order to build the home of your dreams, you need to ensure you hire the right team for the job. Here are some questions you should ask your local home builders.



How Long Have You Been in Business?


You don't want your home to be one of the first that local home builders have ever built. You should look for a contractor who has plenty of experience and has built or renovated many homes in the area. The longer the company has been in business, the more likely it is to provide you with quality work that you find satisfying. A history of success is one of the best indicators that a home builder does good work.



Do You Have Work Samples?


An experienced home builder also should have work samples that show the quality of work they have provided for previous clients. These might include photos or videos that you can view to see examples of prior work done. The work samples should make a very good impression and give you some ideas of what you might want to include in your custom home.



Do You Have References?


A good local contractor should have plenty of satisfied customers who have either left testimonials or are willing to provide good references that affirm the quality of work done. The testimonials might be written or recorded, or you also might get contact information that you can use to directly contact former clients and learn what they have to say about the contractor, the quality of work, and the general level of professionalism they received.



What Credentials Do You Have?


No matter the type of contractor you're hiring, you should always check that they are licensed and insured. This ensures that they are qualified to do the work, and you can rest assured that you're protected if anything goes wrong during the project. You can look into other credentials as well, such as their standing with the Better Business Bureau. Companies with an A+ rating are the most reliable.


You can call or visit Fairfield Homes Inc to learn more about our
local home builders and how we can make your dream home a reality. We look forward to working with you!

home building companies
06 Aug, 2024
Here are three signs you should reach out to local home building companies for renovations. To get started with our services, contact us today!
10 Jul, 2024
Fairfield Homes, Inc. excels in navigating the complex regulatory permit process, cutting through bureaucratic red tape efficiently. We also provide expert advice on selecting the right building lot for your new home, considering various factors that impact design and cost. Beyond construction costs, numerous hidden fees and regulatory costs arise before receiving a permit. These pre-construction fees and regulatory commitments can range from $25,000 to over $200,000. In Illinois, fees and requirements vary significantly between different cities, towns, and villages. It’s important to research these fees thoroughly, as different terms may be used. Based on our experience building over fifty new homes in the past eight years, here are some examples of permit fees: - Arlington Heights: $7,000-8,000 - Mount Prospect, Long Grove: $10,000-11,000 - Des Plaines, Glenview: $11,000-13,000 - Palatine, Kildeer: $14,000-17,000 - Lincolnshire: $17,000-19,000 - Lake Zurich: $38,000+ - Lake Forest: $68,000+ Impact Fees vs. Teardown Costs Impact fees are often a one-time charge for infrastructure used by new home residents. These fees should only apply to empty lots, not teardowns. For example, in Arlington Heights, we paid almost $10,000 for an empty lot: - Elementary District 25: $6,200 - Detention: $2,756 - Tree Fee: $802 Affordable Housing Fund In 2021, one village introduced a fee of $3,532 per new single-family residence permit to fund affordable housing initiatives. Tree Fees Villages may charge fees to remove trees, considering the type, health, and size of the tree. Additionally, a cash bond may be required to ensure the health of remaining trees. Costs range from $800 to $40,000, excluding removal costs for diseased or obstructive trees, which add another $2,500 to $15,000. Landscaping Requirements from Home Owner Associations, developers, and villages can impose landscaping costs of up to $20,000 or more. Creeks and Floodplains Properties touching creeks or floodplains require Floodplain and Wetlands Delineations, costing $2,000 each. These studies investigate critical areas on-site and display boundaries on maps. Soil Tests Villages may require soil tests, costing around $2,000, to ensure soil support for footers and foundations. Septic Systems and Wells If municipal water and sewer services are unavailable, installing a septic system and well involves a septic soils analysis and plans, costing $2,000-3,000. Additional installation costs range from $10,000-25,000. Storm Systems Civil engineering costs ($7,000-10,000) include determining if a storm system is required. These systems direct runoff water to municipal storm sewers. Driveway Culvert Properties without city curb and gutter may require a driveway culvert for stormwater, typically costing $8,000. Fire Suppression More villages are requiring fire suppression systems for single-family homes, costing $10,000-15,000, with higher costs if water is supplied by a well. One village offers an opt-out fee. Plumbing Some villages require copper or cast iron piping, adding $1,500 to $30,000 to the cost. Natural Materials Certain villages or Home Owner Associations may require specific building materials, adding $10,000 to $50,000 or more to the cost. Fairfield Homes takes a strategic approach to handling the pre-construction and permit process, reviewing and packaging applications ourselves. We present solutions to problems to the entire team, expediting responses and controlling costs. Our expertise will save you money, ensuring efficient and cost-effective project management.
home builder
19 Feb, 2024
As you get older, it's important to make sure your environment changes with you. Read more to see the features you need to bring up to your home builders.
local home builders
14 Dec, 2023
Your local home builders can help you build the home of your dreams. Keep reading to see a few questions you should ask before hiring them.
home building company
09 Aug, 2023
If you want to build a custom home, you'll need the right home-building company. Keep reading to see what you should look for.
More Posts
Share by: