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Wednesday, December 11, 2002 What it takes to be a home builder
What does it really take to build a house? Today's new homes reflect changing market preferences and integrate elaborate designs and consumer desires into the floor plans and construction of the homes. And, successful home builders have the knowledge, organizational skills and drive to build them. A home builder must understand the home's complex systems; pay close attention to detail; and coordinate a team of various contractors to build and sell a quality product. To coordinate this process, builders must think on their feet, plan ahead and tackle a number of tasks simultaneously. Above all, a home builder is a manager who guides dozens of skilled artisans and professionals, including as carpenters, architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians, painters and landscapers. The home builder must know enough about each contractor's trade in order to determine whether the contractor has done quality work. Like a CEO, a home builder relies on a number of workers to get a job done right and has the authority to evaluate and act on each employee's work performance. Some home builders develop the land on which the homes are built. In this capacity, they act as the land surveyor. They must look carefully at a piece of land to determine whether it complies with zoning regulations, local planning laws and environmental restrictions, and whether it is suitable for development. In an attempt to determine what lies below the land's surface, the home builder studies a lot's topography, searching for rock outcroppings, shallow depth bedrock, shallow groundwater, natural drainage sources and dense vegetation. During this process, builders also consider landscaping options and erosion control. Once a builder determines that a site is suitable for construction, he or she must navigate through the permitting process. Home builders serve as liaisons with their communities and local government officials. They research and study local building codes to determine what can be built in a given location. In most localities, building codes govern building, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, electrical systems, and fire safety. After studying the building codes, the builder collects permits from various authorities before proceeding with construction. Once through the permitting process, the builder will prepare the site, select the footprint, throw on boots and a hard hat and start building. The home builder then oversees the entire construction process: laying the foundation; erecting the framing, roofing and siding; nailing in the floor; building the walls; and installing in the exterior trim. And, the builder oversees the installation of plumbing, heating and electrical work. A home builder also plays the role of inspector. Throughout the construction phase, the local building department checks the construction site to search for code violations. But the professional home builder scours each construction site long before and after the officials show up to make certain each home meets both code and warranty guidelines. Once the house is finished, the builder informs the appropriate municipal departments that it is ready for final inspection. One goal drives the professional home builder -- a satisfied customer. To meet this objective, home builders act as public relations professionals. Content customers will recommend a builder to other prospective homebuyers, helping the builder's business to grow. Home builders discuss the construction process and building schedule with their customers. They also plan times when the homebuyers can tour the building site and ask questions about the status of their new home. Home builders are businesspeople who work with materials suppliers and trade contractors. They often establish a network of materials suppliers and contractors with whom they conduct business on a regular basis. The quality of the labor and materials will determine the quality of the home. Home builders are schedulers and record keepers. To keep the construction process moving, builders keep construction timelines and schedules. They have to arrange schedules with contractors until the house is completed. All in all, builders must wear many hats before home buyers will have places to hang theirs. (Chad Floyd, who is with Chadwick Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 550 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard, Meriwether, Pike, Upson and Lamar counties.)
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