Page 10 - What You Need to Know to Find the Right Builder

make some of it up later in the project by overcharging on something else. Peace

of mind for the client, and less confusion on the job-site for your builder must
have a value. Is that value equal or greater than the few thousand dollars you
spent on an architect?

Another area to consider spending as a savings is in your insulation. Is your
builder providing proper insulation? As of the 2009 building and energy codes,
exterior walls in Maine must have an R-23 value. Fiberglass insulation for a 2x6
wall is only R-19 so it no longer meets code. If your builder is only providing

fiberglass insulation he must either add a layer of foam insulation boards or
double up the insulation in the stud bays to meet code. Many inexpensive

builders won’t add this step because it drives up costs, so you get inferior
insulation. The better option is to use better insulation in the first place such as
dense packed cellulose or spray foam. By meeting the R-23 minimum, you’ll save
money every month on your energy bills. Isn’t that worth a little more cost up

front?

The bottom line is that just because one builder appears to be less
expensive than another in the beginning, doesn’t mean that the final cost and
quality of the home will be the same in the end. Usually you can save money (and

aggravation) by spending a little more up front and less over the home’s lifetime.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should break the bank on budget.
Virtually everyone who’s looking to build a home has a budget and it doesn’t

matter if it’s $300,00.00 or $5 million, you deserve a home that’s built with good
materials, quality craftsmanship, and holds up without needing repairs for years

to come. You deserve to be able to enjoy the building process without headaches
or worrying about getting ripped off and that peace of mind must have a value.
You just need to be realistic in your expectations and budgeting. Know that value
does not equal lowest price. Sometimes it means a better built, more efficient

home with less future repairs even if it has to be a little smaller than you originally
planned on.

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