For people planning to build their dream home, one of the most important steps is to find the most reliable general contractors in the Twin Cities. A new home is an investment that should be enjoyed for years, even decades. Choosing a high-quality, qualified new home builder is vital to a well-built house that stands the test of time.

We offer the following tips and advice to help in that decision-making process.

1. Make a list of qualities you want in a general contractor. Then pick someone with those qualities. Some examples to consider include honesty, dependability, knowledgeable, trust-worthy, skilled, helpful and good at communicating. This will be someone literally building the foundation for your future. It will also be someone with whom you will be working for a while, so it makes sense to find a contractor with a compatible attitude.
2. Get references. Do not just choose the first new home construction company that pops up in an internet search. Though a company’s website is a good place to compare and assess their experience and expertise, browsing the internet won’t give a complete idea of the kind of service they provide. Ask some friends and acquaintances if they personally know of any designers or contractors in the area, especially if any of them have already had to opportunity to build a new home or are familiar with other individuals who have.
3. Do the research. Look for reviews of past customers. If possible, try to arrange to meet with some of their customers, maybe even in the homes the contractor built. A first-hand account like this give deep insight as to whether the new home construction company you are considering is worthy of being hired.
4. Approve their floor plans. Many existing homes have useless rooms or square footage. Modern building techniques and uses of space are one of the appeals of new home construction. Ensure the contractor’s floor plans are geared toward maximizing usable space, minimizing energy costs and simplifying maintenance needs.
5. Check their work. A common complaint from people who have had new homes built has been careless workmanship. Confirm with your references that the contractor’s work was superior. During the construction phase, visit the work-site often to ensure that your wishes are being carried out. With electricians, plumbers, laborers and others, building your dream home is a huge task. Good communication can go far in preventing expensive mistakes.
6. Consider their schedule. Don’t choose a contractor embarking on too many projects at the same time you approach them with your building needs. Because this is your dream home, you want a crew that has can focus its attention on prioritizing the details of your home. A good approach is to choose a Twin Cities area general contractor instead of a larger, regional residential builder. A smaller, local construction company will likely have fewer projects than the larger ones, meaning they can devote more attention to yours.
7. Estimate their costs. Ask for price quotes from a few of the most reliable residential construction companies in the Twin Cities. Compare the estimates and the services that they provide. If their offer is greater than your budget, ask if there are ways they can cut down on costs without sacrificing your dream – or the quality of the materials used during construction. A well-established new home construction company should have a network of suppliers that can provide alternative materials that are less costly.
8. Get it in writing. Getting an agreement in writing is essential for the well-being of both the contractor and the home buyer. A homeowner should hire the services of an attorney to review any contractual agreements before they sign anything. Any reputable builder will expect you to do this.

Building a home is one of the most significant events to occur in many people’s lives. By following these steps toward finding the right contractor to build your dream home, you can increase the likelihood of a happily ever after when the keys are handed over.

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One of the first decisions a potential home buyer should make is whether buy a new construction home or purchase an existing house. There are some serious advantages to purchasing a new house over a resale.

1. New Home Pricing. Though new homes are generally priced higher than an equivalent existing one, a new house will likely need fewer repairs or replacements.

2. A Well Planned Neighborhood. In addition to having a choice for home sites, such as in a cul-de-sac or located near a park, new home buyers get to choose what type of community in which they want to live. Builders incorporate desirable amenities such as recreation areas, neighborhood clubhouses, swimming pools, playgrounds, sidewalks and paved trails into new communities to attract residents.

3. Modern Design. New ways of building homes are constantly being developed. Consumer trends also changing, motivating builders to respond by drafting floor plans to include what clients want, like large family rooms, over-sized closets, built-in media areas and up-to-date kitchens.

4. Warranties. Something an older home can never provide is a builder’s limited warranty. A new home warranty typically covers appliances, carpets, mechanical equipment, and overall construction. Though warranties do eventually expire, they can cover various items for between one to ten years!

5. Energy Efficiency. Modern insulation, windows and heating and cooling systems are much more energy efficient than in the past. New home builders are required to meet stricter energy codes. This can be of great benefit, considering the current costs of energy.

6. Modern Wiring. New homes are generally wired to accommodate electrical components that weren’t around when scores of existing homes were built, such as home computers, media centers and surround sound systems.

7. Modern Appliances. New homes are capable of accommodating latest state-of-the-art equipment, right off the bat. Dishwashers, stoves, microwaves and refrigerators installed in new homes function within modern water and energy standards.

8. Health Conscious Construction. New homes built with modern building materials offer some health advantages. No asbestos or lead paint to be found in a new home, but it could be costly to have it removed from an older house.

9. Low Maintenance. The latest in building materials also means convenience for new home buyers. Because it was just built, new homes are practically maintenance-free for up to ten years and in some cases, longer.

10. A New Home Is All Yours. Buyers of new homes can have a hand in creating the home they desire, instead of having to adapt an older home to their preference. Whether its the type of flooring to the brand of appliances, all aspects of a new home can be fit to your tastes from the beginning.

Though they tend to be more expensive than existing homes, purchasing a new construction home offers many advantages a resale residence simply cannot. Its worth making the price comparison to see if a new home is within your budget.

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Lots of Updates for Legacy Creek in June:

3541 126th Ave NE and 3548 127th Ave NE are SOLD!!!    Stay tuned for updates on our two newest models currently under construction - the Tucson and Phoenix!

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Last month was the slowest April for local residential construction in at least five years, though optimism abounds for builders to see a rebound in single-family home construction later this year.

Residential construction in the Twin Cities remains lethargic, according to the Builders Association of the Twin Cities’ (BATC) Keystone Report. There were 203 permits issued in April for a total of 230 units, a decline of 33% and 38% respectively from April of 2010. Those are the lowest numbers for April local residential construction in at least the past five years, according to the BATC.

Year-to-date it is a similar story. During the first four months, there have been 758 permits issued for a total of 851 units. That is lower than the number of permitted units during the same time period of any for the last five years.

BATC President Rich Riemersma said the organization expected construction to be down in the first quarter of 2011 compared to 2010 due to the frenzy of interest last spring’s federal homebuyer tax credits generated. There is no such incentive now.

“But while new housing nationally is expected to remain down, we have hopes that the Twin Cities will catch up and surpass last year in single-family construction,” Riemersma said.

Maple Grove saw the most building activity in April with 28 permitted units. Blaine followed closely with 22 units, trailed by Plymouth with 16, Minneapolis with 15 and Woodbury with 13.

Source: Local Residential Construction Still Struggling
Source: A bootless month for builders

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Home builders accelerated their pace in March as construction of new homes and apartments increased 7% from February, according to a U.S. Department of Commerce report. The Midwest experienced the biggest increase in activity, as new construction starts rose 32%. In the West, housing starts grew 28%, while the Northeast saw modest boost of just 5%. Construction declined 3% in the South.

Building activity, particularly in the Midwest, usually increases in March and April when the weather warms up. Comparable home starts information isn’t available on a local level, but requests for building permits in the Twin Cites metro area rose slightly in March from the previous month, according to data from the Builders Association of the Twin Cities. Some national builders also reported stronger sales last month.

Spring new home sales were buoyed last year by the federal home buyer’s tax credit, but there are no such incentives in 2011. March sales improved because the weather was particularly bad in February, keeping house shoppers safe at home. Sales in March also got a lift in sales activity due to the Builders Association of the Twin Cities Spring Preview.

The results come at a critical time for home builders, pummeled by the lowest demand for new homes in 30 years. What March’s results will mean for the long-term future of the housing construction market remains to be seen.

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