Builder Bids

BuilderBids

*** Builder Network ***

Without the assistance of BuilderBids, you will spend countless hours researching a suitable builder for your new home. The good news is that we have already done the homework for you. Sure, anyone can check a builder’s company history, financials, licenses, insurance, and compliance with local codes, but we go further than that. We actually talk to local contractors, tradesmen and inspectors as well as the builders' own customers -- all in an effort to determine the quality and dependability of their work. Below is a sample of the reference material BuilderBids utilizes to evaluate builders in our bidding network.

Builder ID Number	#0023	#0018	#0021	#005	#0011
Form of Company	Sole Proprietor	Ltd Partnership	Corp	Corp.	Corp.
State and Date of Filing (if Corp or LLC)	AR/1997	AR/2003	AR/1999	AR/2001	AR/1977
Years in Business Under this Name	10	8	4	4	10
Done Business Under Another Name?	No	Yes, 76-78	Yes, DBA	No	No
Member of BBB? / Satisfactory Rating?	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes	Yes/Yes
General Liability Ins.? How Much	Yes/$000	Yes/$000	Yes/$000	Yes/$000	Yes/$000
Subcontractors Have Workers Comp?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Number of Homes Built Last 12/36 months	20/60	44/126	10/50	48/150	111/324
Price Range of Homes Built	$200-500k	$350-700k	$150 - 375k	$250-900k	$175-400k
Presently Defendant in Building Related Lawsuit?	No	No	No	No	No
Company Filed Bankruptcy?	No	No	No	Yes	No
Provides at Least Five References?	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Historical Average Time to Build	8 Months	12 Months	12 Month	9 Months	11 Months
Max Number of Homes Under Construction	3 to 4	7 to 8	3	10	10-15
Hours of Accessibility by Phone or in Person	24/7	7a to 6p	8a to 9p	24/7	9a to 5p
Crew Works Saturdays? Sundays?	Yes, No	Yes, No	Yes, Yes	Yes, Some	Yes as Req'd
Warranty Term	1 Year+	1 Year	1 Year +	1 Year	1 Year+
Who Manages Warrantee Claims?	Builder	Builder	Builder	Builder	Builder
Payment Terms (%Dn/ $ at each step	10/30/45/5/10	10/60/25/5	10/20/40/30	20/0/60/15/5	10/10/50/25/5

10 TOUGH BENCHMARKS BUILDERBIDS
EVALUATES ON EVERY NETWORK BUILDER

BuilderBids has checked the quality of the builders work.
We have toured several of the builder's finished homes and looked closely at the workmanship and evaluated the quality of the cabinetry, carpeting, trim work and paint, foundation, etc.
BuilderBids has checked see if the builder is well organized and accessible.
Some builders are notoriously disorganized. If the builder cannot run an office efficiently, they may not run the job efficiently. We ask where their office is located and if they have someone available at all times to answer questions should they not be readily available. You should feel confident that your builder will return your calls promptly and act quickly on any problems or concerns you may have, especially after the home is complete.
BuilderBids has been provided financial disclosures by the builders.
Financial standing is an extremely important though often overlooked criteria for selecting a builder. A builder's cash flow problems can result in building problems. Reputable builders will be happy to give you financial facts, in writing, about the company.
BuilderBids has verified that the builder is licensed in his own name.
Some builders use someone else's license because they cannot pass required tests, or because they have for some reason lost their license.
BuilderBids examines builder's reputation and what other professionals have to say.
Some of the best people to ask about a builder are professionals in the field. Ask a building inspector, developers, Realtors, or bankers their opinion of the builder. In Hot Springs Village, the Architectural Control Committee (501-922-5526) is a great source of information.
BuilderBids has verified that the builder conducts first hand inspections of every job.
Some builders are good salespeople but are less attentive to the job site. Will the builder closely monitor the jobsite and keep you informed of your home's progress?
BuilderBids has checked to see if the builder is used to working with long distance customers.
If your home is being built while you live in another area, you place a great deal of faith in your builder. Some companies are accustomed to working with long-distance customers. You will benefit from having a builder who will communicate with you frequently and do things such as send photographs of your home to you as construction progresses.
BuilderBids makes sure that each customer will have access to builder's warranty before making a final building decision.
The warranty determines the future service you'll receive. The best builders provide a lengthy structural warranty and have a warranty department. Read the warranty thoroughly. There is a tremendous difference in warranties and you should always ensure your safety by investigating.
BuilderBids Provides information on how long the builder has been in business.
When you talk to prospective builders it is a good idea to ask how many years the builder has been in business. A brand new business may lack the capital or experience to do the job.
BuilderBids Has checked the builder's references.
One of the most important elements in searching for a home builder is checking references. The following questions are appropriate to ask:

	Was the final costs of the home the same as originally promised?
	Did your builder complete the home in a timely fashion?
	Were you satisfied with the quality?
	Did your builder follow-up after closing and complete your punch list?
	Has the builder been called upon to provide warranty service and what was the response?
	Would you contract with the builder again?

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Revised: Sunday January 04, 2009