An experienced builder is going to know how to navigate change orders efficiently.
No matter how much you plan ahead, custom home building will inevitably require some changes during the process. This is where change orders come in—they’re used to communicate between a home builder and who they’re building the home for, indicating any kinds of changes in plans and designs. An experienced builder is going to know how to navigate change orders efficiently, ensuring that their customer gets everything they need out of their home. Learn more about this essential part of home building below.
Why Change Orders?
There is a perception surrounding change orders that they are a big source of profit for home builders. The truth is though, a reputable company isn’t going to want to milk a change order for more money—they’re going to use it as an opportunity to build their reputation as a reliable, communicative home builder. In fact, some builders end up taking a hit on change orders but will do so in order to provide a service for their customers. If you avoid dodgy home building services, you can avoid bloated change orders that end up letting costs get out of control.
The Process
Before building even begins, you and your builder need to come to a clear understanding of how change orders will be handled. Not every company treats this the same. Truthfully, most home builders would love to avoid change orders being used from the get-go. That’s why they’re so thorough in the first place. However, full customization is the goal, so a good builder will walk you through their process should the need for any design changes need to be implemented.
Schedule Impacts
Depending on the scope of the change order, it may push back your timetable more than you’d think. The earlier you call a change out, the less likely this will be the case. However, if when nearing completion you notice that you want a bigger space than originally designed for, that could set you back by a month or two. This is because more site work, foundation pouring, and framing needs to be done. It can often be a moment where a builder needs to hit pause and rethink the plan entirely, so be aware that your schedule could end up changing whenever requesting a change order.
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