You Get What You Pay for: Cheap Builders vs. Quality Builders

As with anything in life, you generally get what you pay for—and builders are no different. There are three key areas to consider when you’re looking for a builder: price, timing, quality

Of course you want the best of all three but, but that’s not necessarily in everyone’s cards.  What is important is to consider both your budget and your project, and then realistically set out what you’re looking for. If your budget doesn’t allow for the best quality, then you may have to focus on price and sacrifice a little bit on quality. Or, if you own two homes you might put more emphasis on speed, but keep in mind that the speed at which a home is built might mean you have to sacrifice some quality.

There is a mix of fits in every project and your best bet is to work with a builder with a good track record and who offers the mix you’re looking for.

Let’s take a look at the 3 key areas your project will entail and how a cheap builder will compare to a good builder in each category:

Pricing:

If your budget is a million for your home but what you really want will cost 1.5 to build, a good builder will give you a truer picture of what the project entails but a cheaper builder may tell you what you want to hear to get the job. This is where you should be able to scrutinize the information the two builders provide you. The problems you’ll go through with a cheaper build, often result in the realization that the better builder told the truth and you could have avoided all the angst that goes with dealing with an inexpensive builder. For example, a cheaper electrical job can mean your house won’t pass inspection, or it will be maxed out with overloaded circuits because they were built on the cheap.

Timing:

Although the time it takes to build a house depends on the type and size of house you want to build, but it can be anywhere between 10-14 months for a standard house. A quality builder will be upfront and honest about the time it will take to complete your project. Any builder that claims they can build your house in 9-10 months is not giving you a realistic timeframe, and you’ll most likely get your house months after it was promised to you. A good builder, on the other hand, will be cautious and give you a window that’s larger and try to present you a house in less time than you expect. So, if time is an important factor for you, then you choose a builder who will manage your expectations by being truthful.

Quality:

Quality doesn’t just mean the materials used for things like cabinetry and flooring; it also involves the care and supervision a good builder will give to every aspect involved in building your home so that it gives you long-term benefits. So much is involved in the process of building a house—from the foundation to the framing, plumbing, electrical, carpentry and more. If you use a builder who is not as caring, there will be knock-on effects in multiple areas— such as when it comes to dry-walling and trimming, if the studs and the walls aren’t straight, that becomes the trim carpenter’s problem, which then becomes the painter’s problem. Or, if your foundation isn’t done properly, you could find a leak in the foundation after the house is complete—which will need a very costly fix. Therefore, a problem early on can manifest itself and end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

So when it comes to choosing a builder, opt for a quality builder over one that is cheap in that moment. In the end, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Cheaper builders often end up costing you a lot more when you consider unmet expectations, skewed timelines, low quality workmanship and unreliable foundations, framing or insulation, and much more. In the end most home owners aren’t sure it was worth it—in fact, for some builders, the best referrals are from clients that didn’t use them and regret it.

Categorized in: Helpful Resources, Lorne Rose Architect