29 years Building in Alaska
29 years Building in Alaska
Selecting a builder for your new home is the single most important factor to your homebuilding experience. Not only must your builder have knowledge and skills, but personalities need to work well together. Your relationship with your builder starts from first meeting through your warranty period, so choosing someone you will be comfortable with for the long term is important.
The number one question to any potential builder you may decide to work with should be if they are Licensed, Bonded and Insured WITH a Residential Endorsement issued from the State of Alaska.*
*Alaska Statute AS 08.18.025 requires new construction to be built by a General Contractor with a Residential Endorsement. A General Contractor that does not hold a Residential Endorsement in the State of Alaska has not passed the written exam related to arctic structural and thermal construction techniques and other matters determined by the State of Alaska in consultaion with representatives of the construction industry.
*HB 81, which went into effect on June 21, 2006, limits an owner-builder to build one structure every two years. If the builder builds more than one, they are subject to fines under the law. You can refer to the State of Alaska's website for more information pertaining to contractor licensing:
http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/occsearch/main.cfm
And just as important to the builders licensing, ask your potential builder about their subcontractors. Subcontractors need to be Licensed, Bonded and Insured with the State of Alaska as well.
Types of Builders
Builders fall into three broad categories: Production, Semi-Custom and Custom. The choice among these is a matter of which is appropriate for your needs, desires, schedule and budget. There are advantages/disadvantages to the type you choose:
Production:
Advantages of Production Builders is they own lots in several subdivisions, build all types of housing, (single-family, condos, town houses and rental properties) and generally build for all price points-entry level, move-up and Luxury.
Disadvantages of a Production Builder is they may not have choices to create the combination right for you, tend not to alter floorplans, permit few structural changes and you may sometimes only work with their vendors/suppliers, (which tend to give better pricing for the builder).
Semi-Custom:
Advantages of a Semi-Custom Builder include, flexibility in building location, faster and less costly than designing a new set of plans, and customers generally can change a builders existing plan to suit their needs.
Disadvantages include cost and time to fine-tune a plan, crews need more time when building from unfamiliar plans, semi-custom builders are less likely to accept changes once construction is underway.
Custom:
Custom Builders create one of a kind homes, design operation around the client's active involvement, have experience with a variety of finishes, unusual treatments and design details and alterations of plans are possible.
Disadvantages include, longer timeframe to build and unlimited options/alterations/finishes can get costly by the end of a project.
Researching Your Builder
Begin by researching the homebuilding companies in the area where you want to live. Start by gathering a preliminary list of candidates from sources that may include:
Builders need to have the knowledge, skills and personality to construct your home, but they also need to be fiscally responsible to the construction of your home. Tougher economic times along with tougher lending standards can lead to builders getting overextended and one setback can put a builder out of business. You want to make sure your builder will be there from start through warranty.
Monaghan Construction, Inc.
P.O. Box 874751 Wasilla, AK 99687
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