Can you see how a sub could use this against builder when asked why he hasn't finished bathroom yet. "Well client told me two days ago that they were changing tiles to another type." It doesn't matter that you did not say that - but it caused confusion and delayed job by at least two days or more.

Instead of wanting access to subs, with whom you have no expertise, you should concentrate on ensuring builder has proper permits and insurance for building. Especially for workman's comp and for liability.

Few clients realize that they can be held accountable, if builder doesn't have correct insurance.

Let's say that a child comes on to site after builder has left for day. Decides to climb to roof and jump. Guess who's liable? Check references of others clients he's built for.

A Final point on access to subcontractors.

Many house building clients have very poor spatial ability and cannot imagine an overview of space being designed for them - they just cannot imagine finished house, never mind what finished colors and tiles look like.

Because of this, they feel need to be able to make changes at any stage of project. This is what is behind this question of being able to speak to subs. You can make changes to your house design at any time as long as you realize that each change will cost you heaps and blow your budget sky high.

To make these changes you ask architect to request a cost estimate from builder for each change. You then can decide if you can afford it or not. If your request is made at worst possible (most expensive) time, you will be told that as well.

What's answer to all this? Make all decisions about what you want and have them included in your plans and specifications.

Question 4.

What does a builder, expect homeowner to do (other than to pay you as and when agreed).

Reply

A builder expects home buyer to be reasonable and realistic in their expectations. The time you spend in planning and thinking about what you want in you home is worth real money to you. If you are not good at planning, an Interior Designer will be critical to your final happiness.

If you can't make up your mind on important aspects of design, go and inspect examples of what you do like and get Interior Designer to incorporate what you want in plan.

The biggest problems that most builders run into is home buyer who change what has been agreed to or is unrealistic in what they want. This is why we have our home buyers sit down with an Interior Designer.

The ASID can sit down with you and help you visualize exactly what you want and help you make any compromises you may have to make.

It is very expensive to make changes during a project. Let's say that you wanted a 17x20 kitchen. Sounds like a big kitchen. Probably too big. However, once cabinets and appliances start coming in you realize that it's too small and want kitchen to be bigger.

This may cost you an extra $50k to make those changes. You can save yourself a small fortune by first working with ASID on floor space, storage, placement, design, and style.

I want you to tell me:

1) Fair Market Value $X

2) Appraised Value $X

3) Cost of each lot $X

4) How much you have budget for each property.

5) If you have floor plan that would be good. If not, we would help you with that. You would tell us what you have budgeted for each unit and ask us if we can build for that? We review information, discuss details with you and give you a quote.

When we provide you with a final quote it is all inclusive.

It includes everything we can control. Included are the:

*Certified architect blueprints,

*Structural engineering reports,

*Cost for building property,

*Providing financing for those who will be purchasing property,

*Insurance for those purchasing property,

*Realtors trained to sell and create a demand for your properties.

In addition, to above we would provide you with a 100% Money Back Guarantee which simply stated, "If you don't like property once it is completed you don't have to buy it."

We insist that you hire property inspector of your choice to inspect property BEFORE you take possession of it. We also provide you with daily video updates on project so you have video documentation of progress of your property.

Unlike a lot of builders we think "long term" not short term. We understand that we make our money building and you make your money selling at retail. If we want more business from you it's important to help to ensure your profitability as much as possible.

Question 3.

What kind of warranties do Master builders offer?

Master Builders & Developer's Reply:

Depends upon property and place. Some areas require warranty on plumbing, gas lines, etc…

We provide all standard warranties in each area. In addition our structural warranty is 20 years instead of five or ten that local builders offer. Our roofs are 20 years. And, we have a 100% Money Back Guarantee to ensure you're not stuck with a lemon.

Oh yes, one last point that does not really come under warranties, but it does give peace of mind to out clients. Every part of house we build for you is computerized for you.

So What?

Well let's say, in 4 years or 10 years, you have a window badly damaged, a door, a kitchen bench - whatever - think about what you would have to do to get it fixed. Well with us, you just phone or email - tell us which part you want replaced, it's exact location, and we'll have exact part, in right size, in right material sent to you, after you have approved pricing.

So you see that "BUT" I mentioned above covers a lot that is within term 'Design / Build.'