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Jul
15
7 Essential Questions You Should Ask a Builder Before Purchasing a New Condominium.

7 Essential Questions You Should Ask a Builder Before Purchasing a New Condominium.

So you found the new condominium of your dreams! But wait....before you sign on the dotted line and hand over a wad of cash...how can you make sure that the condo is a quality built product that won't fall apart in a few years or cause health problems for your family?

Following are 7 essential questions you should ask  a builder when purchasing a new condo in Calgary.

1) What's the builder's track record?

How long has the builder been in business and what other projects have they built? If they just hung up their shingle last week and they've never built a condo before, then this would probably not be a smart choice.                                                 

2) Is the builder an accredited member of the home building association?                            

In Calgary, that organization is the Canadian Home Builders' Association - Calgary Region. While the organization doesn't act as a regulatory body, members are required to follow a code of business ethics.

3) Does the builder have the credentials to build new homes?                                            

Look for a Master Builder Certification issued by the Professional Home Builders' Association of Alberta. This is a good indicator of the home builder's credibility because it means they have successfully completed an accredited program and they are serious about their business.

4) Does the builder provide a warranty?                                                                                    

If so, what is it? What is their record with the warranty program? This is a big topic that I will address in a future blog, but the important takeaway here is: the project should have a warranty, check the small print (not all warranty programs are created equally) and check the builder's record with the warranty program.

5) What are the building standards followed by the builder?                                                      

In Alberta, building standards are dictated by the Alberta Building Code which sets out the technical standards for the design and construction of new buildings. Preferably the builder's standards should exceed Code especially when it comes to fire and moisture protection as well as structural issues. The builder should be prepared to provide that information to you. Green building standards regulated by LEEDS, Built Green or Holmes Approved Homes demand a higher standard than straight Code so you get a better built house.

6) What kind of inspection process does the builder follow during construction to make sure the house meets building standards?    

 Is it documented? Although the City of Calgary sends out inspectors at certain milestones as the home is being built, they only check if its built to Code. Offering the additional assurance of the Holmes Approved Holmes inspection process means a documented inspection process.

7) Ask about the builder's customer service rating? 

There are several reputable independent home builder rating services that report customer experience ratings of builders. A couple of them are www.jdpower.com/homes and www.ccaswell.com

Just so you know...we'd be happy to answer any and all these questions. Just email, call or better yet visit our ZEN in McKenzie Towne sales centre. You can also contact me with any questions or comments.

We love feedback.

Terra Davidson

Customer Experience Manager

terra@avalonmasterbuilder.com

Blog Topics: Calgary Homes, Homebuying Tips, ZEN Condos