Why does the design/build process produce a better product?

Design/build grew out of the need to find a way to build that maintains quality standards while ensuring rigorous budget control. In the design/build environment the architect and designer serve to help the client design a home that satisfies their dreams. The builder certainly provides a significant source of product information and construction insight, but is most effective in his/her role of quality and cost control.

Should I put my plan out to multiple builders for competitive bids?

Competitive bidding no longer serves to ensure consistent quality at a fair price. Most jobs awarded in competitive bids are done so solely on the basis of the lowest price. While that sounds good to a potential client, it has come to mean that these competitive bids are submitted with the absolute bare minimum standards to meet the limited specifications that might be printed on the building plans. Also, no attempt will be made in a competitive bid to point out or deal with expenses on those things which are not called out on the building plans but which all experienced bidders know will be needed to complete the project. These types of costs will show up later in the project as extras that are not noted on the plans. There is truth to the old expression "You get what you pay for".

How do I select a custom builder?

There are five basic things to look for in selecting a builder:

• Personally interview 2 or 3 builders whose expertise is in the price range in which you are building. Who is your point of contact, the builder or a construction superintendent? A true custom builder will work with the client one-on-one. How many custom homes do you build each year? Custom home building is not a production environment. If the number is large, be concerned. 
• Examine the builder's reputation. Speak with sub-contractors and vendors whose products are evident in some of the builder's current work, and talk to residents who live adjacent to sites where the builder has done some work.
• Visit a current job site to get a sense of the builder's method of construction. Look at the quality of the material, examine the cleanliness of the work site, determine if building material is organized and protected from the elements, and observe if the people working on the site are organized and busy. These characteristics are a direct reflection of how the builder operates and say much about the company you are considering to build your home. 
• Personal compatibility with your custom builder is a must. You will spend a significant amount of time during the course of the project with this individual, so pick someone you like and can communicate with easily. 
• Get some references from the builders and talk to these people. These references will give you the most accurate picture of the nature of a builder. It goes without saying that all builders will put their best foot forward with their references, but surprisingly, (or maybe not!) some builders may have no "good" references.

How does the material selection process work when building a custom home?

A true custom home can have a very large selection list. You can select everything from door hinges and window hardware to brick type and millwork profiles. You can set your own level of participation, but we encourage our clients to be highly involved in all decisions. This ensures their complete satisfaction at the completion of the project. We will provide you with all the decision making resources and track all the details in this process. Of course the decision on your level of involvement is ultimately yours, but if you desire to save yourself some time you can rely with complete confidence on our high quality product standards formulated over many years of experience.

How long will it take to build our custom home?

The answer to this question depends on the size and level of detail in your new home as well as local weather. Typically we find that a 3000 square foot home takes about six months to construct. For every additional 1000 square feet, add one month.

Will you build our plan on our building site?

Yes. We often build for people who already have their own building site or building plans. In working with you or your architect we may offer suggestions relating to the building site or plan as part of our overall job proposal. As a true custom builder we want to see your new home project succeed and are more than happy to work with the team you have assembled.  Don't have an architect; A. J. Borzillo works closely with several architects that can meet your design needs.

What kind of warranty do you offer on our custom home?

A. J. Borzillo provides a full one-year warranty.