When you buy a new home, shouldn't you know who your Builder is?

About Steve DuBois

• Georgia Licensed Residential & Commercial Builder

• Full time Builder since 1983 and has built over 650 homes

• Served as 2004 and 2005 President of the Newton County Home Builders Association of approx. 360 members.

• Named Builder of the Year in 1993,1996,1998 & 2002 by the Newton County Home Builders Association

• Currently serving on the executive committee for the

• Home Builders Association of Georgia.

• Has served on the Board of Directors or as an officer for approximately 16 years with the Newton County Home Builders Association

• A Claims Free Certified Builder with Bonded Builders 10 Year warranty program.

• Member of the Home Builders Association of Georgia

• Member of the National Association of Home Builders

• Member of the Habersham & White Chamber of Commerce

• Member of the White Habersham Home Builders Association

• Served as Builder advisor to the re-writing of the County Building and Development Regulations

• Recognized by Snapping Shoals EMC as one of the their outstanding "Good Cents" Builders

• Southern Building Code Congress Member and on going education on code and construction issues

• Hall of Fame recipient for the Newton County Home Builders Association

Before Building Your Home, Know the Following:

Contract Information

       Make sure your Builder has:

• Workman’s Comp Certificate

• General Liability Certificate

• Georgia Builders License

  Items that should be provided by your builder at contract stage: 

  Set of  plans showing as much detail as possible.  Any changes to plan should be noted.

  Specification sheet detailing all aspects of the project.

  (This sheet will be referred to as construction progresses.  It will guide both the builder and the  homeowner as to the details  agreed to at the contract stage.  This document should be as detailed as possible)

  A Draw sheet  a plan for how and when the builder is to be paid.

  Builder warranty  Should be spelled out as to what is covered and for how long.

  Change Orders  should be addressed so as to show how changes and cost differences will be handled.

When Buying a lot

When considering the purchase of a piece of land for your home to be placed on, there are things to consider for comfort, livability and cost.  Then there are things to be aware of to make sure the land is buildable.

1) Walk the lot

• House fits property, Slab, Basement, Crawl Space

• Walk land, look for cemeteries, drainage ditches and old wells

• Accessibility to street (slope / ditches)

2) Government Regulations

• Special Septic Tank Required

• Health department requires soil report required from soil scientist

• Examine Plat of property for recorded easements

• Zoning of property. 

• Make sure lot is  buildable according to environment and building dept.

• City water

• Well and septic fit on one lot

3) Livability of completed home

• Terrain suitable for gardening, play area for kids and pets.

• Slope of driveway

4) Expense of building one lot vs. another

• Heavily wooded lot cost more to grade and dispose of trees and stumps

• Types of soil require different septic systems (from $1750 to $18,000)

• Well vs. water meter

• Erosion control measures

Choosing a house plan

The following are items that I recommend customers consider when selecting a floor plan. 

• Functional living space, storage space

• Type of foundation, crawl, basement, slab

• Make sure your plan fits the lot

• Angle of windows to sun

• Floor plan is workable for daily life

• Living area is large enough, not too large

• Maintenance down the road, steepness of roof

• Ease of entry from parking area

• Porches and decks

• Cost to maintain

Why you can’t price a house by the square foot.

There are several factors that have considerable influence when trying to arrive at the price of your home.  Not only does the type of construction affect the price, but the final cost of your home can fluctuate depending on the amenities and upgrades that you choose. 

The following items should be considered when trying to arrive at your target price:

• Basements / Slab / Crawl space

• Large porches vs. no porch

• Types of cabinets,

• Type of countertop,

• Appliances,

• Light fixtures,

• Plumbing fixtures

• Floor coverings

I am often asked about builders offering homes at ridiculously low square foot prices. After investigating these claims, homeowners usually find out that the stated price does not include the following:

• Septic tank 

• Land

• Grading of lot

• Closing cost

• Drive way

• Landscaping

• Well

• Water meter

• Building permit

• Soil report

• Septic tank permit

How to design a house plan 

There are many  aspects to designing your home to suit your needs for now and in the future.  You should consider designing your home to accommodate possible changes in your family’s future.  The following are a list of items that you should consider when going through this process. 

• Open floor plan for spacious appeal

• Consider the number of levels in your home and the number of steps you would like to climb.

• Parking should be on the same level as main living space.

• Handicap accessibility, Easy Living Homes

• Lighting

• Number of Heating & Air zones. 

• Plumbing

• Raising bath vanities to 36”

• Comfort level toilets

• Amount of windows and type

• Ceiling heights, Vaults / Trey

• Laundry room same level as bedrooms

• All bedrooms must have minimum window sizes of  36” x 60” on main level and basement with larger windows required in upper levels.

For more information on what to look for before Building your Home, call Steve DuBois for a FREE consultation. You will be surprised by all you will learn. Let Steve DuBois make your experience an easy and wonderful one.