Perception vs reality
What most people do when searching for a builder
What most people should do when searching for a builder
When it comes to building a new home, making the right choice in a home builder is essential. When embarking on the home building journey, there are many things to consider. This article includes basic tips for searching for a new home builder, and then, points out some red flags to watch for when meeting with a potential home builder. Finally, we’ll mention a few other resources that will be beneficial in helping you in your home building journey.
Constructing the house of your dreams is an exciting and critical enterprise — for most people, it is a one-in-a-lifetime investment, and it’s an investment of both time and money. Making the right choice of a home builder is the single most critical decision you will make in this process. Like most journeys in life, the path to the right builder is shaped by perceptions, realities, and choices that you make. In this blog, we will provide you with a guide for what to do when you start your quest to find a new home builder, the common perceptions vs. the realities, and the smart choices you should make.
Reality is the state of being real or having an actual existence. Perception can be defined as the act of perceiving, which is to become aware of directly through any of the senses, especially through sight or hearing. Reality and perception are both very important aspects of our everyday lives. People live knowing their own perception and reality. We know the difference between the two because they are taught to us by society. Perception is not reality but instead, they are separate things. Perception is “knowledge gained by perceiving; a mental grasp of objects, qualities or relations by means of the senses”(Merriam-Webster). While reality is “something that exists objectively and in fact”(Merriam-Webster) according to literature.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, perception is the process of recognizing and interpreting sensory stimuli. Reality is the existence of certain objects in fact under circumstances that can be observed and measured. Reality is the existence of certain objects in fact. Reality is said to be the state or quality of being real. Something that is real is said to have the property of being objective. Being objective means that something can be observed and recorded by more than one person. By referenced points, something realist, there can be more than more opinion on whether something is real. While something might not be real, it is opinionated to say that something is real or fake.
The reality of something is based on the experiences of someone. For example, if a Chinese young boy who grew up in China his whole life were to experience a baseball game, he would perceive it differently than someone who has experienced a baseball game twice in their life time. The Chinese boy’s experience would be “real” because that is how it is in his reality. The reality of people’s experiences and the perception of those experiences would differ. The Chinese boy “saw” and “heard” a baseball game. Since he has never seen or heard about anything like that, his didn’t think it was a baseball game. The reality was that it was a baseball game, but his perception of it was off.
As humans, we know the difference between reality and perception. We all have our own reality due to what we experience in life. Every single person is different on the earth. Even twins aren’t going to have the same reality. Reality might come off as being objective because it is said to be based on facts. While it can be a little based off on facts, reality is subjective. Everyone perceives something in a different way. My perception of “trees” might be the color of brown while yours might be yellow. Since I get my vision from my Dad and he is color blind to certain colors, I might not see colors the way normal people my age do. So whatever I see might be different than what someone else may see.
Perception is that all home builders are the same
Fact: Builders are not all the same. Each builder has a different set of skills, experiences and talents. Some builders are great at modern designs while others are great at traditional craftsmanship. It is critical that you match the builder’s strengths with what you envision in your dream home.
Perception: The cheapest builder is the best option.
Cost matters, but it should not be the only factor. Picking the least expensive builder could mean that you are picking the lowest quality. Or that you are choosing a builder who is cutting corners or being less than complete. Or a builder whose low bid glosses over allowances that will very quickly run over budget. In home-building, quality and craftsmanship tend to go with price.
Belief: I don’t need any help.
We’re all familiar. You’re the designated chef, the reigning monarch of the living room remote, and when your children ask you for help with homework, you usually just tell them the answer.
It is the delusion of Lasse Hallström’s wonderfully empathetic new film, “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” that you could handle any of these jobs without assistance.
If it cheerily refuses to admit as much, that is because it is (a) oftentimes moving; (b) often funny; and (c) high-caliber comfort food, pitched to the sentimental Francophile in us all.
Like all the best fairy tales, “The Hundred-Foot Journey” is predicated on a spate of death-driven upheaval. In Northern India, a bloodthirsty mob razes a family restaurant, scattering the cooks and obliterating the past. The survivors — mother, father and three children — jump onto a boat and no relation sails for Europe.
Reality: Building a home is quite the task, regardless of whether you have a vision or one is provided to you, the fee and effort involved are quite daunting. Home building involves having an in-depth vision for what you would like your home to actually be, utilizing the services of an Architect or other design specialist to have the blueprints of your home committed to paper, therein requiring the services of a building contractor to accomplish the tasks to need to be done.
What most people do:
Ask for recommendations: Many people start by asking friends, family, or neighbors for builder recommendations. It’s a good starting point, but it’s important not to rely solely on word of mouth.
Online Research: Many people turn to the internet to research builders, view their portfolios, and read reviews. While valuable steps, this should not be the only step in the process.
You should get multiple quotes: it’s standard procedure to get quotes from a few builders, and this is just a practical thing to be doing.
What the Majority of People Should Do:
Research Extensively – Instead of just trusting a recommendation it is so easy these days to do some digging. Thoroughly look at multiple builders, it should take more than just one phone call. Look at their experience, their background, what are their reviews like online (be cautious with this as well), what is their portfolio like?
Visit Past Projects: Taking the time to visit homes that have been built by prospective builders is a great way to get a firsthand look at the quality of their work and can give you a “taste” of what style can be accomplished by that builder.
Checking on credentials is important. It only takes a few minutes to ensure your contractor is licensed, insured and in good standing with industry trade groups like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Being able to walk away with $100 bills taped to your forehead isn’t quite enough to confirm their abilities.
Ask Specific Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask potential builders about their normal construction process, how they keep in touch with customers, timeframe for building and warranty information. Communication is key at all stages of the project.
Find Professional Help: It’s worth considering hiring a specialist for help on selecting a property. A real estate agent or property finding consultant has been through the process multiple times and his fees are typically small enough to warrant him to save you from the issues of picking a bad property to invest in.
Review Your Contracts with Care: Be sure your builder’s contract is thorough, clear, and protects your interests. If you’re not certain about something, have an attorney review it with you.
Finding a new home builder can be a significant task. By keeping in mind that the perception might not always be the reality, and also be conscious when making your choices, you can become more aware of finding the right builder and having your dream home built. Your home is a house, but it is more than that. It is a reflection of yourself and who you are and a place where memories are made. Choose carefully and your dream home will be realized in no time.