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5 Common Issues to Avoid When Building a Home in Omaha

by Nancy Heim-berg

When building a home in Omaha, it's important to be aware of common construction issues to avoid. By staying proactive, you can save time, money, and ensure a smooth experience. Here's an overview of the most common issues to watch out for during the home building process.

Poor Budgeting

Poor budgeting is a common issue in construction. Building a home is generally cheaper than buying a pre-built one, but many homeowners underestimate the cost. They often overlook major expenses and forget about smaller ones like legal fees and warranties. Unforeseen expenditures are also common.

It's recommended to have a contingency budget of 10-25% to account for changing costs. To budget effectively, start by creating a home building checklist and doing thorough research on the accurate costs involved.

An Unsuitable Location

When it comes to building a new home, choosing the right location is crucial. The wrong choice can result in major construction issues. There are several factors to consider when deciding on the best location for your home construction.

Before purchasing land for construction, it is important to consider the soil condition and water table. Testing the soil quality will ensure a suitable foundation can be laid. Additionally, determining the water table height is crucial as it may require costly dewatering measures.

Thirdly, during new home building, ask if the area is prone to flooding and water damage. Visit the site during the rainy seasons to assess drainage. Also, avoid sloppy regions, as you need to level the surface. Finally, consider the accessibility of the area and proximity to essential amenities such as powerlines, water, gas, etc.

Not Hiring Reputable Professionals

To ensure the smooth and timely execution of the project, it is essential to have a team of professionals with diverse expertise. This team should include builders, architects, engineers, interior designers, surveyors, contractors, and more. By assembling the right team, you can ensure that the project is completed efficiently and within budget.

When looking for service providers, it's important to do thorough research. Take your time and consider recommendations from other homeowners or check online. This will help you find reputable options and avoid potential construction issues.

When selecting a home builder, it is important to gather as much information as possible to ensure their credibility. Take the time to read through both positive and negative reviews from various sources to get a comprehensive understanding of their reputation. By doing so, you can make a more accurate assessment of their credibility.

Then, narrow down to 1-3 contractors for each category. Contact them for quotes and references to help you narrow down further. Conduct interviews with the most suitable candidates and hire the ones that come up as the best fit. 

Poor-Quality Materials

Using poor-quality materials in construction can have serious consequences. These materials weaken the structural integrity of the building, making it vulnerable to damage from rain, wind, and earthquakes.

Additionally, they often have a shorter lifespan, leading to frequent and costly repairs. Functional and aesthetic issues may also arise. Moreover, poor-quality materials can pose safety hazards and result in legal and regulatory problems if they don't meet building codes and standards.

To avoid these issues, it is important to consult with professionals and use high-quality products that adhere to regulations. Regular quality control checks and sourcing materials from reputable suppliers are also crucial.

Not Adhering to All Applicable Regulations

The building and construction regulations differ from state to state, with some being more widely known than others. It's important to be aware of these regulations to avoid potential fines, construction delays, and approval issues for future projects.

To ensure compliance, consult your home builder and reach out to your local government for specific information on the regulations and codes that apply to your new home building project.

When building your home in Omaha, it's crucial to avoid costly mistakes. To ensure a smooth construction process, make sure to address key issues such as choosing the right location, budgeting properly, using high-quality materials, and following all applicable regulations. Before hiring a home builder, take the time to read reviews to make an informed decision.

Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

Choosing the Right Construction Company for Your Omaha Home

by Nancy Heim-berg

Are you looking to buy a home in Omaha? If you are looking for something unique or looking to customize your home, new construction could be the best choice. Before beginning the project, however, it is important to carefully select a building company that can bring your vision to life. Consider researching and comparing reviews of local contractors to determine which one can provide the highest quality service for your specific needs.

Important Factors to Consider in a Construction Company

These are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a construction company in Omaha:
 
  • Commitment to safety. When undertaking new construction projects it is imperative that safety be the paramount priority of any organization. Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, having comprehensive insurance and taking every feasible measure to ensure the safety of all workers greatly avoids potential issues on multiple levels. Firstly, there is a moral responsibility to prioritize safety over other aspects of a project. Additionally, there is an economic logic; by prioritizing safety companies drastically reduce their chances of experiencing delays due to accidents. Furthermore, employee morale and thus productivity often increases when employees feel secure in their work environment.
     
  • Areas of specialty. What are the areas of expertise and specialty held by this construction company? Are they competent at building the type of house you want?
     
  • Options and customization potential. How many options do you have when building a house with this company? Increasingly, construction companies are trying to streamline the design and preparation phase, relying on templates and simple modules for customization. If you're looking for something more unique, you'll need to find a construction company that can accommodate you.
     
  • Past work/portfolios. How many houses has this company built? Can you tour some of them? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these houses, as you see them?
     
  • Ratings and reviews. It's important to weigh in the opinion of past customers when considering a construction company. Be sure to read all customer ratings and reviews, as they can provide valuable insight into their experiences with the firm. Are there mostly positive or negative critiques? What are some of the most consistent compliments and complaints? Careful analysis of client ratings and reviews will help you get an informed sense of the quality of work this company does.
     
  • Pricing and payment schedules. Cost is an important factor when choosing a construction team—some may be pricier than others, for a number of reasons. Make sure to take payment schedules into consideration, too: What are the respective amounts and due dates?
     
  • Timelines. When building a new house, the typical timeline is 7-8 months from the point of obtaining permits to completion. However, it is important to note that this duration may extend or shorten depending on a range of factors. Be sure to clearly establish an understanding of the timeline and associated variables before starting the construction process.
     
  • Contractors and subcontractors. When it comes to a construction project, it’s important to understand who is handling the work. The construction company no doubt relies on both its employees and contracted subcontractors as needed for each job. It's critical that the work meets quality standards, so make sure you know more about any contractors or subcontractors before committing; be sure to ask for references and reviews from previous customers. Additionally, ensure that all parties are properly insured and licensed so you can have confidence throughout the building process.
     
  • Customer service. Client satisfaction is vital to ensure successful communication, organized progress, and an overall positive experience. Are you assigned a project manager for this process? If so, does this individual make themselves available as needed and respond to your queries objectively and truthfully?
     
  • Terms and conditions. What other terms and conditions apply to this contract with this construction company? Do they make any assurances or guarantees? What happens if they can’t meet the original timeline? Will the price increase if the cost of materials increase?

Other Important Tips

There are some other important tips you'll want to keep in mind when shopping for a new home construction company.
 
  • Set your priorities in advance. What are your biggest priorities when buying a house? You should know what these are long before you start looking for a construction company. For example, do you have a strict budget that's going to limit your options? Or are you willing to extend your budget if it means completing the house by a certain date?
     
  • Shop around. Don't go with the first construction company you encounter. It's important to shop around and review many different options so you can properly evaluate each.
     
  • Take your time. This is a huge decision, and not one you can afford to rush. If a construction company representative tries to pressure you into finalizing a deal before you're ready, push back.
Constructions companies have a variety of incentives to build houses quickly and efficiently. It's important to take time and do your due diligence when researching potential contractors so that you can choose the one best suited for your particular needs. Taking the time to research will give you peace of mind in knowing you've made the best choice for your new home.
 
Have your home needs changed in the past year? Perhaps you’ve outgrown your present home, or need to downsize to a more suitable home. If you’re ready to make a move, let’s connect and talk about all the amazing opportunities that are available to you!

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Heim-Berg Team
Berkshire Hathaway
331 Village Pointe Plaza
Omaha NE 68118
(402) 677-9024
(402) 679-7108 | (402) 830-6123
Fax: 402-493-4805

Stacey OHara CMG financial 515-306-2360

 

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