Building a new home is a little like planning a wedding. Even if you’ve never planned a wedding, you’ve probably witnessed it. The actual wedding, much like a new home, is awesome in so many unique ways. The planning, however, can be a roller coaster of ups and downs. One minute you’re flying high on finding just the right favors for your wedding guests or tile for your hall bath…the next you’re opening a box of favors that aren’t nearly as cool in person and walking into a hall bath with tile that you didn’t recall being quite that color. It’s full of surprises. Good and bad. But at the end of it all, hopefully you have a blast at the wedding and you drive up to a place you’re proud to call home.
The spectrum of what to expect when you’re expecting new construction extends far beyond just one page. In fact, it could fill a book. We’re working on that. In the meantime, we’ve come up with a list of the most important things to expect in new construction to prepare you for the journey ahead.
There are specific windows of time to personalize a new home. We want you to take full advantage of these windows because once the window closes, it may not reopen. Not to mention windows definitely do not reopen without additional cost and time for both parties. Which leads to both parties having to agree on whether or not the additional cost and time is worth it. No one wants to build a new home with fifty shades of gray area.
Here’s what to expect for every window of time along the way and how to make the most of it.
Expect to be asked to make decisions quickly, maybe sooner than you’re comfortable. As the builder, we’re here to help and we’re also here to keep us on track. Remember, tough love is still love. We know you can do it – if you chose a Garman Home it’s obvious you already have good taste.
If it’s not on your plans or in your design paperwork, it won’t be in your house. If you mentioned it to someone at some point throughout the buying or building process, that doesn’t count unless it makes it to your paperwork and you autograph it. Plans and paperwork trump everything else. Please make the time to review your plans and paperwork very carefully during the appropriate window of time. And don’t worry if you don’t speak design or construction fluently, we will happily translate these documents for you.
It’s true what they say about what you do when you assume. Good communication requires that we both tell each other what we’re thinking. Please don’t assume we know what you’re thinking and don’t ever feel like you have to apologize for asking questions. We want to know what’s on your mind. Even if what you’re thinking isn’t good, we still want to know. Just be gentle, our work is very personal to us and we relish the opportunity to build the relationship alongside the house.
Mistakes are going to happen. Prepare yourself now. Even if your paperwork and your plans are 100% complete and accurate. Building a home is a very intricate process, remember we’re on the same team and we have the same goal.
With the right attitude, it is possible to have a great building experience.
With the wrong attitude we just prefer to say, no thanks.
Love our Garman home! They are the nicest, easiest to work with people too! When we move again we want another Garman home!