While this isn’t always the very first thing I would recommend someone do in this sittuation, it is the second. What is the first thing? Glad you asked…

The first thing anyone should do when they’re considering a new project is go through a process of defining what they feel is most important about the build. Start broad with this, and answer questions like “How much money should we allocate for the project?”, “what style or feel do we want to have once the project is complete?”, “Should we invest in the long term with this and plan to stay here for the next 10 plus years? Or is this something we’re doing so we can sell the house and upgrade?”. Things of this nature can help to get the ball rolling on a high level.

Once you’ve answered some of those fundamental questions, move onto the second step: finding a builder that aligns with the answers to the above questions! Every contractor will bring different value sets to the table. Some of them will help you feel secure and looked out for while others might be leave you feeling a bit uneasy. Most often, the burning question I get asked when interviewing with new prospective clients is “how much is your cost per square foot”. This is a totally valid question, and one that you would be remiss to not ask! However, as much as you may feel like this is important, it’s not always the ‘be all, end all’ of questions. Costs are super important! But shouldn’t trust also come along with the cost the prospective builder you’re talking with? After all, if a builder gives you the price you want to hear, but sounds like used car salesman who just finished his 4th coffee by 9am, you’d be smart to worry about wether that cost analysis is accurate or not.

Some key questions you should ask when seeking out who aligns best with your vision (and who you can trust) would be:

• Can you tell me about some previous projects within the last 12-24 months? How did they go? Were you on budget? What factors went into the project being over or under budget?
• Would you be willing to connect me with the previous clients so I can hear from them how the process went, and how they like the finished product?
• If your costs are higher or lower than your competition, can you explain why? And further to that, can you tell me what I can expect to see as a finished product in specific terms that would justify your costs? Are we talking vinyl plank flooring and hardi siding? Or solid maple floors and gold plated counter tops?

For myself, when I’m talking to prospective clients, I am interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing me. I know already that our costs are generally higher than most other builders in the area. I also know that the reason for this is that we’re called upon to execute a very high level of quality, both on interiors and exteriors, and as such, our average cost to build are higher. It’s really important that you compare apples to apples when you’re talking to builders… Almost as important as establishing a feeling of trust and mutual respect.

If you’ve done your research and gone through identifying what your key values are in your project, it’s time to start talking to builders in the area. If a legacy type home with attention to detail and high value, high quality finishes is at the top of your list, obviously I think you’ve found your builder in us! However, do your due diligence and talk to others that are similar to us! Here are some local contractors you should check out if you want to compare our high quality, legacy homes with other custom home builders in a similar price point in the East Kootenay region:

• Shelter Design & Build
• Munter

On the contrary, if you’ve identified some other key values in your project that focus on keeping costs down, and getting you and your family into a home quickly while not overburdening your bank account, here are some other options:

• Tyee Homes
• New Dawn
• Charlton Homes

While I’ve never spoken to or hired any of these companies for my own projects (and therefore cannot officially vouch for them), I think they’d be a place to start while shopping around and trying to find a builder that suites your needs.

I know this may come across as odd – why would a builder like myself promote clients checking out other builders? The reason is simple: I am passionate about what I do, and what we as a company are able to produce. I believe with all my heart that we are the best option for home building in the region, and so should every other builder on the list above. But where it comes to quality, legacy home building, I feel confident that you won’t find a better option than Eisenhauer. However, I also feel it’s really important that as the client, you have to discover this for yourself!

If you’d like to talk more about this, or want to get in touch about a project, don’t hesitate to get in touch. As I said before, I love what I do, and I’m more than happy to discuss how my company can help you with your project. And here’s something more: I promise you that I’ll be honest with you about whether or not I think Eisenhauer Woodworks is the right fit for your project. If it’s not, I am more than happy to help direct you through the process of finding a builder that will suite your needs. I know what we do, and where we can add value to a project. But I’m not out to make a dollar off of everyone that calls or emails me. Because I also know that in order for us to be doing what we’re good at, it simply has to be a mutually beneficial relationship. So please, get in touch! I look forward to sharing ideas with you about your upcoming project.