Quality at an Affordable Price
When hiring a contractor, price is always one of the main factors in determining who to choose. Nobody ever wants to end up paying more than they have to for a construction project. However, once the bids are in hand, it is very important to give each one thoughtful consideration, and to pay attention to more than just the bottom line.
The Cheapest Offers Are Often the Most Expensive
When judging quotes, the first thing to make sure of is that they are offering the same level of service and materials. Beware of prices that seem too good to be true. While low bids can be tempting, they often result in added costs later.
A builder may give you a cheap quote only to tell you later that the project is going to be more expensive than he initially thought. Or he may be willing to cut corners to make a profit. This will inevitably translate into inferior materials and shoddy workmanship.
Be also aware of the fact that quite a few contractors in Belize underpay their workers. No job can be done properly under such circumstances.
A poor quality construction job will lead to future problems such as cracks in walls, roof leaks, floor tiles popping up, exterior paints that fade with the first heavy rains or even worse, to serious structural issues that will be expensive to repair and could even put the lives of inhabitants at risk.
In a country regularly hit by hurricanes, costly damage will also result from improperly secured roofing and poor framing.
Owners usually think that construction defects will not cost them anything – after all, the contractor will rectify the problems. This may be true in North America or Europe where there are recourse options, but it is very unlikely to happen in Belize, especially if you do not have a contract. You will be left with your problems until you find a contractor who is able to fix them… at your own cost.
Owners expose themselves to quality problems when they:
- select contractors based purely on the cheapest price
- choose the cheapest products
- specify impossibly short construction project durations
Doing It Right Costs Less Than Doing It Over
It is important to remember that the initial building cost is only part of the true cost of owning a home. Making an investment on quality materials and service will ensure high performance, durability and long-term satisfaction. As Benjamin Franklin once famously said, "the bitterness of low quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
Our objective at New Building Concept is to offer the best value for money. Regardless of the size of your home or your budget, we ensure that quality is never sacrificed.
Doing it right costs less than doing it over. Many homeowners in Belize have learned it the hard way. Do not be one of them!
Avoid Costly Mistakes: Get Everything in Writing
Be wary of contractors who won't put anything in writing or won't sign a contract. A contractor who is not ready to demonstrate his commitment to protecting your interests may not be as honest as he seems. Such a builder is more likely to fleece you either by not completing work to a satisfactory standard, completing it months late, or by constantly demanding more money to keep going.
Let's read what Vance Titus, a professional architect and engineer registered in the United States and in Belize, has to say about it:
"I know of a lot of homes and commercial buildings that have been built in northern Belize without the benefit of comprehensive construction drawings or a construction contract. In all instances with which I am familiar where building was accomplished without proper construction documents, the ultimate costs of construction turned out to be more, often substantially more, than the contractor's initial estimate."
Building or remodeling a home is one of the biggest investments you are likely to make so don't let your construction project turn into a disaster, choose the right builder.
At NBC, we have your interests at heart. We want you to be more than satisfied. We want you to be happy.
