Cragun Construction in Coeur d’Alene, loves to start from the ground up on new construction projects. If you have land that you want to build on or need help finding the perfect place to start building your custom home, Cragun Construction is ready to dig right in.

It is important to get to know your North Idaho Custom Home Builder. Below is a list of questions you should ask if you are “shopping” for a General Contractor in CDA and surrounding areas to help ensure you find the perfect home builder for your new construction project.

CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH REFERENCES? 

A reputable general contractor in Coeur d’Alene will be happy to provide you with references. If you get an opportunity to talk to another homeowner, ask them about the attention to detail, quality of the work, the communication process, and overall satisfaction. You are looking for a custom home builder who provides a high level of quality work, is transparent in their communication, and will update you on production schedules and budgets on a regular basis.

WHAT TYPE OF DECISIONS DO I GET TO MAKE?

Throughout the home building process there will be numerous decisions that require collaboration.

A talented home builder has experience working with all levels of textures, finishes and fixtures and can work with you to find complimentary upgrades so your house is a perfect reflection of the dream home you have in your head. 

They can also introduce you to skilled professionals in their network—interior designers, kitchen designers, landscape designers—who can help you bring your vision to life. Building a home requires many decisions with these contractors and a skilled builder encourages these relationships. 

Most Importantly, make sure they put together a schedule for all your critical decisions. 

WHO SUPERVISES THE NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION?

Make sure the general contractor you choose has dedicated supervisors on location every step of the way to ensure the highest quality of work. With Cragun Construction, you will have the owner, Cody Cragun, managing your project from start to finish.

You might find, when looking for a home builder in North Idaho, there will be multiple supervisors on any given project. Hiring a boutique custom home builder like Cragun Construction ensures there is one dedicated supervisor for your project who is involved in all the decisions. 

DO I NEED AN ARCHITECT AND A DESIGNER?

You can choose to work with a builder, architect and interior designer to create your dream home, just know you also need all three of them to coordinate and work together.

You can also rely on the experience of Cragun Construction to complete your home building project without needing an architect and interior designer. Cragun Construction in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho has beautiful floor plans that you can view and choose for your home build or the home floor plans can be used for inspiration on your custom home project.

Whichever you choose, make sure communication is transparent at all stages. 

WHAT IS OUR SCHEDULE?

Agreeing on a reasonable schedule is key to success—not only for completing the house on time, but also for keeping everyone on task. While it’s a given that some unforeseen obstacles will arise during production, you and your home builder should come to an agreement on an estimated completion date. Creating a timetable will keep everyone accountable.

HOW WILL YOU PROTECT MY PROPERTY DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS?

During construction, it’s critical that your home builder respects your property and belongings. Do they provide adequate insurance coverage to protect against accidents and unforeseen weather damage? If Cragun Construction is chosen to be your General Contractor, we would take every precaution to ensure your property is well taken care of and guarded.

HOW WILL YOU COMMUNICATE WITH ME?

Your builder should be a big part of your life during construction so communication is key to creating a happy and healthy home owner and home builder relationship.

With so many ways to communicate, it’s important to find the right kind of communication between you and your home builder. Do you prefer emails or phone calls for your project? Do you prefer text messages or phone calls? Decide on the best method of communication for big decisions and little decisions. Your General Contractor will need to talk with you throughout the home building process to make decisions together. 

HOW WILL YOU WORK WITH ME ON BUDGETING AND WILL YOU KEEP ME UP TO DATE ON COSTS?

Discussing your budget and knowing what you’re willing to spend is the biggest decision you will make when it comes to building or remodeling a home. If you are planning a custom build or remodel, you will be very involved in the selections that go into your home. These selections ultimately drive the final price.

You and your General Contractor should agree to an itemized budget before construction begins. As selections are made, your builder needs to provide you with an updated budget reflecting the actual price of those selections and how they affect the project total. Make sure you’re aware of all costs as they come in, so if needed, you can make any necessary adjustments to your project. 

WHAT FEES DO YOU CHARGE AND WHAT DO THOSE FEES INCLUDE?

All builders charge a fee, but the range and style of these fees are very different from builder to builder. Be sure you know exactly what you are getting into before you sign any agreement. It is important to have full access to invoices from subcontractors and venders so there are no hidden charges. Many Contractors come back with markups because they wanted to come in on a low price at the beginning. Discussing the possibility of additional cost at the beginning will start you and your chosen builder on the right track. Cragun Construction is proud to say that this is our specialty- and where we shine against other Construction Contractors in the CDA area.

Whether you are embarking on a new home build or planning an extensive home remodel, asking these questions, means you can feel confident that you are hiring the perfect General Contractor in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, that will bring your dreams to life.

Call Cragun Construction today to schedule your free consultation.