Here are Beattie Development, we consider ourselves the expert builders and remodelers around Southwest Florida. We are able to take care of all of your building and remodeling needs. From permits to decor ideas to the actual construction of your custom home, we’re here to inspire you to live the way you’ve always dreamed! Of course, if this is your first time building (and even if it isn’t) you are bound to have some questions. Let’s look at a few of the top questions you should be asking, before you sign on the dotted line.
#1 Are you licensed and insured in the state of Florida?
Make sure the builder you are using is licensed and insured, as well as any and all of their subcontractors, in Florida. While rare, it does happen that someone presents himself as a professional and is really just a fraud. To make yourself feel more comfortable, you can check online to make sure the license is still active. Building a home is a big financial and emotional investment; certainly not something to risk. You can check online with the DBPR here: www.myfloridalicense.com
#2 How many homes do you currently have under construction?
Another way to phrase this questions may be “Are you going to be able to closely monitor the construction of my home?” or “Do you have time to focus on my project?” This is a very fair question, as your custom home is something you have dreamed and saved for. Many successful home builders may have multiple projects going on at the same time, Beattie Development included. This is not necessarily a problem and they should be able to manage them all. Ask to meet whoever is in charge of your project on a daily basis and what you can expect in regards to communication and updates. Open and frequent communication is key to a happy building process and other ongoing projects shouldn’t have an effect on this.
#3 Do your products and services come with a warranty?
Whether you are buying a mattress, getting your HVAC unit fixed, or even building a home, a warranty means the company backs up what they do. At Beattie, our homes are backed by the coverage and peace-of-mind that only a 2-10 HBW Structural Warranty can provide. It covers 10 full years of structural defect coverage for load-bearing components, two full years of systems surety coverage against defects in wiring, piping and ductwork in electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilating and mechanical systems, plus a year of surety coverage against defects in workmanship and materials. Wow! This is a great indicator that you found a financially strong and reputable builder.
#4 If there are increases in materials or labor costs, how is that handled?
As construction progresses, the costs of certain products or services may change from the original bid because at the time of the bid vendors most likely gave an estimate. Sometimes, a certain phase of the project may take longer than expected and the price of your chosen tile, for example, has risen. Make sure your builder will notify you of cost increases as soon as they find out, not at the very end, so that you can work it into your budget.
#5 How involved will or can I be?
You want your expectations presented as soon as possible, and the builder will do the same. Do you want to visit the construction site every so often? If you aren’t local, do you want an update every few weeks on the progress being made? If you do plan on stopping by, make sure you give your builder a heads up that this is something you would like to do just so he can inform workers for security reasons and to let them know it is ok if they see people touring the site.
One question you don’t have to ask when building with Beattie Development is “Can I afford this?” That is because our new RRB Collection starts at just $178,500. Browse our website pages to see whether the Maci, Eva, Ross, Reese, or Arthur Model is the right one for you; you won’t believe how much home you can build for such a low price! Contact us today by calling (239) 994-6187 or emailing sales@beattiedev.com to get started.