How to Find A BUILDER RIGHT FOR YOU

Ready to build a home? Use these steps to find a builder who can bring your dream home to life.

BY SONIA GUZMAN

If you’re thinking about building a new home, you rst have to nd the right builder. Working with an experienced, professional builder can make all the di erence, but seeking out a home builder that will meet your expectations involves research and making sure you ask the right questions. Laurie Soulsby, Executive O cer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Spring eld, has some steps you can take to nd a builder who is right for you.

Make A List Of Potential Builders

With so many local builders to choose from, the rst step is to make a list of potential builders you’d like to work with. Soulsby says the best place to start that list is on the HBA of Greater Spring eld’s website where you can nd builders in the area. All builders listed with the HBA have been vetted for quality and maintain insurance requirements. “Many builders advertise what type of homes they construct and even o er a price range,” Soulsby says. Attending an HBA Home Show can also be an excellent way to meet builders face-to-face. And if you have other home projects you need done, builders can often recommend industry professionals they know.

Ask Questions

Once you’ve generated a list of potential builders, reach out and ask questions. “You can start by asking about associated costs in the shortand long-term such as nancing options, fees, homeowner’s association dues and estimated taxes on the property,” Soulsby says. Don’t forget to request references from recent clients. “A professional builder will be able to provide you with names and contact information of customers,” she says. When you connect with a reference, talk to them about their experience working with the builder in terms of planning, timelines and budgeting.

Get To Know Your Builder

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, make sure the home builder has substantial experience building the type of home you want. You can ask to see model homes, example oor plans and design options. You are also able to browse through builders’ portfolios on the HBA website, which Soulsby says can be especially helpful. Some builders have professional designations, which is a sign that the builder has expertise in a speci c area of building, for example, Certi ed Green Professional (CGP). Soulsby says another tip is to “make sure the builder sets realistic expectations. While it might be disappointing to experience longer wait times for your project to start, you want a builder who will be upfront about potential issues.”

Establish Communication Expectations

Before you agree to work with an area home builder, make sure to establish communication expectations. Will you be speaking with them or a member of their sta ? Will they check in weekly or only if there is a problem? Either way, you should both agree on how often to connect to discuss updates throughout the project. It is best to determine early on which communication channel (email, text or phone) ts your needs. Taking this small but important step will help eliminate confusion in the home building process and avoid damaging your relationship with your builder. Building a home is a major investment and a time-sensitive process, so you want to make sure you establish a good working relationship with your builder.

To meet local home building professionals and vendors and to learn more about the home building process in our area, contact the Home Builders Association of Greater Spring eld at 417-881-3711 or visit HBASpring eld.com.

HBA of Greater Spring eld appreciates our builders and remodelers and holds them in the highest esteem. They are the backbone of our organization. They are leaders in the building industry who set and produce a higher standard of craftsmanship alongside truly excellent customer service. This group of professionals is running businesses with many moving parts, and they all have proven successful at it. If you’re a home owner in the 417 area, we hope this list of builders and remodelers serves as a handy resource as you look for professionals to work with on your home.

If you are a builder or remodeler and would like to visit about joining this elite group, reach out to any of our members listed here or call the HBA o ce at 417.881.3711. You can also explore the requirements and bene ts of membership on our website at HBASpring eld.com.

Archer Construction Company

Je Archer

Archer Construction’s goal is to make your house a truly custom home. We take pride in putting you at the forefront of all building decisions from land selection, plan and design to trim and nish details. Archer Construction strives for your complete satisfaction throughout the entire building process. Je builds homes from his own plans or your plan. Call today, and we will combine your home ideas with professional suggestions to create the home of your dreams. Je is an Energy Star® builder.

Builder

417.844.6199 zzjda@aol.com

Bella Homes

Justin Skiles

From new homes to redevelopment, interior and exterior, Bella Homes makes it happen. Using a team approach to custom building and luxury renovation, our detail-driven professionals will create the details you envision in your home. Bella Homes has been meeting the changing needs of Spring eld area home buyers for more than 14 years. Our attention to quality and detail has a orded us a reputation as one of the area’s premier custom-home builders and renovators. Whether you are working from the ground up, looking for an existing home or updating your current home, we make your dreams a reality.

BUILDER/REMODELER

417.861.9640

Justin@BellaDesignedHomes.com

BellaDesignedHomes.com

BEWLEY CUSTOM HOMES Dusty Bewley

Bewley Custom Homes takes great pride in craftsmanship and quality. We are blessed to do what we love in the community that we love. Our spec homes are breathtaking. But customs are our passion because we are always looking for something di erent to try and enjoy the uniqueness of each customer and family. Growing up in this industry, our roots are as strong as our foundations. We want to take the stress away from our customers and help you have great pride in your home. So here is the question: Why buy a house when you can build a home?

BP BUILDERS Matt Bailey – CGB, CGP

BP Builders has earned a reputation for quality, attention to detail and customer service. We build something far more important than buildings. We build con dence and assurance for our clients. We have learned that e cient, proactive planning leads to successful projects. Our planning and design skills are ne-tuned, allowing us to move forward smoothly and cost-e ectively. We live, work and engage in our community. We care about the lasting impact of our work for future generations. Our promise to keep you in the loop, remain on time and on budget, and maintain the highest level of craftsmanship.

BUILDER

417.887.6177

Matt@BPBuilder.com

BPBuilder.com

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BUILT BETTER HOMES Blake Cantrell

Built Better Homes is a company based on building the highest quality home, every single time. Blake Cantrell, owner of BBH, is a native of southwest Missouri and a member of a construction and real estate family that has been building and selling homes in the greater Spring eld area for almost 30 years. Quality and attention to detail are important to the whole team at Built Better Homes. They are passionate about delivering your new home to you with quality materials and construction, as cost e ectively as possible and on time. Blake has built the business focusing on relationships with clients, colleagues and co-workers. He’s committed to helping you and your family build a secure future in the home of your dreams built by Built Better Homes.

BUILDER

417.233.1801 builtbetterhomes@gmail.com

BUILT BY BRETT Brett Godfrey – CGP

Brett Godfrey strives to understand the wants, needs and desires of his clients. As a result, Built By Brett clients are better equipped to make informed home-building decisions.

Brett earned the Certi ed Green Professional Designation of the National Association of Home Builders in 2008 and completed one of Spring eld’s rst homes built to NAHB’s National Green Building Program in 2009. Brett is a two time “HBA Builder of the Year” and a Greene County Planning and Zoning Board Member. Built By Brett believes in their product and provides a 2-year written warranty on their new custom-built homes throughout southwest Missouri.

BUILDER

417.840.7328

Brett@BuiltByBrett.com

BuiltByBrett.com

BUSSELL BUILDING Kenny Bussell and Tyler Bussell

Bussell Building, Inc. is a family-owned and operated home-building company based in Spring eld, Missouri. Our focus on a “family- rst” approach to building homes separates us from other builders. The moment we partner, you’ll immediately feel you’re dealing with a trusted family member. Our homes are constructed with the utmost integrity and the highest standards of customer service. We ensure that our customers are con dent in their choice of Bussell Building as their home builder, secure in their investment and thrilled with their new purchase. We understand that every home we build must exceed our buyers’ expectations so when you move in, “it feels like home.”

BUILDER/REMODELER

417.889.2067

Info@BussellBuilding.com

BussellBuilding.com

CANOPY HOMES JJ Hetherington

Canopy Homes is a growing neighborhood along the banks of the Dry Sac River in north Spring eld. Buyers interested in the eco-friendly lifestyle can select from one of Hetherington’s home designs that can be customized. Canopy builds within nature’s envelope. When we design a new home, we rst do an ecological study on that property to gure out which trees are healthy and native, and then we design our homes around the existing topography and landscape. Instead of typical front lawns, we put in alternative landscapes like rain gardens. Our homes are also smaller in footprint to be the most e cient and to encourage people to use their outdoor spaces. All homes are Green Certi ed Homes.

BUILDER

417.838.6443 admin@canopysgf.com

Canopysgf.com

Construct

Rex Winslow

Whether it’s the rst custom home you have dreamt about or your last home you have spent a lifetime planning, CONSTRUCT is dedicated to building you the best. By integrating our knowledge and expertise with your vision, we will build your style of home beyond your expectations with integrity and superb quality. Our approach is simple: we listen to you. Our benchmarks are communication, attention to detail, quality and staying on schedule within your budget. “I would love to listen to your ideas, goals and expectations for your future home.”– Rex Winslow

BUILDER

417.582.2490

RWinslow@Construct–com.com Construct–com.com

COWHERD CONSTRUCTION CO.

Trent Cowherd

Cowherd Construction has lled the need for a personalized touch in home building and remodeling for 42 years. Repeat customers give Cowherd Construction pride in having done a great job. The company is dedicated to customer satisfaction. Combining amenities with budget-minded home building is the characteristic that makes Cowherd Construction stand out. Their 4,000+ completed projects inspire con dence in new and returning customers that Cowherd Construction is right for them. For a ordability, quality and personalized homes, Cowherd Construction is ready to start working for you today.

BUILDER/REMODELER

417.887.1600

Trent@CowherdConstruction.com CowherdConstruction.com

Creative Homes Built With Excellence

Victor Osenniy

Creative Homes Built with Excellence believes that construction should be done with excellence and longevity in mind. Building homes is building futures and we do so by focusing on residential new construction, land development and construction consulting. We o er our clients an array of options to help them achieve their building goals and needs; this includes NewConstruction start to nish, partial builds and construction consulting.

BUILDER

417.380.6020 facebook.com/creativehomesofswmo/ TOCreativeLLC@gmail.com

Cronkhite Homes

Mike Cronkhite

Cronkhite Homes is a high-volume residential home builder o ering comfort and a ordability to discerning home buyers in the most desirable communities throughout southwest Missouri. Cronkhite Homes is passionate about customer service, delivering value and about living our values. We’re not just a company; we’re part of the local community. We love where we live, and we live where we play. Don’t have time to wait for a new construction? In addition to having many beautiful oor plans to build, we also have a wide variety of quick move-in homes that are complete and available now!

BUILDER

417.833.6000 sales@cronkhitehomes.com

CronkhiteHomes.com

Daher Construction

Anthony Daher

Daher Construction, LLC, specializes in custom remodeling projects for both commercial and residential customers. Our focus is to create unique results by combining old-world craftsmanship with the latest technology. We are proud to work with many repeat clients, and the outstanding results speak for themselves. With more than 25 years of industry experience, we have the knowledge, ability and attention to detail required for your next renovation project. Call today for a courtesy consultation, and Daher to Dream with Daher Construction.

Remodeler

417.345.0398 tony@daherconstruction.net

DaherConstructionOnline.com

ECK GROUP BUILDING & DEVELOPMENT

Jeremy Eck

Jeremy Eck is a third-generation builder of quality homes in the Ozarks. Jeremy and his team work closely with their clients throughout the process of site selection and design all the way to the nishing touches. Regular onsite meetings with the team help their clients be well-informed about the construction process, upcoming decisions and the schedule of events. Jeremy’s goals and demands since 2007 have been for quality products and workmanship, attention to detail and using a hands-on team approach. Their invaluable experience guides the clients through the process, resulting in a home that exceeds their dreams.

BUILDER

417.425.2074

Jeremy@TheEckGroup.com

TheEckGroup.com

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Els Construction

Eric Stuhlsatz

Eric Stuhlsatz started ELS Construction in 2010 after beginning his career working for a large home builder in Kansas City. Each year ELS completes a wide range of projects, including custom homes, spec homes, multi-family projects and remodeling. Eric enjoys working with clients at the ground level, starting with the design of their new home and seeing it through to completion. Working on a wide range of projects has provided many valuable opportunities to help enhance customized homes so that our clients’ very speci c needs and wants can be achieved within budget.

BUILDER

417.569.0301

Eric@ELS-Construction.net

ELS-Construction.net

REMODELING WAY — AND WHY THAT MATTERS TO YOU

We’ve remodeled the remodeling experience. Everyone wants a bathroom or kitchen that’s clean, functional and modern. The problem is that oftentimes projects are left a mess and quality is lacking. At

Remodeling

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ESSICK BUILDERS Dusty Essick

Dusty Essick, owner of Essick Builders, has been in construction for more than 25 years and has extensive hands–on experience as a carpenter. Essick Builders o ers quality workmanship in every project and is heavily involved in all stages of the building process. Priority is placed on using highly quali ed subcontractors. In addition, Essick Builders provides detailed planning and information, which are keys to making good decisions in the building process. The result is an enjoyable and successful building experience. Essick Builders was the contractor for the 2017 and 2018 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway and would love to be part of building YOUR dream home!

BUILDER

417.860.1127

Dusty@EssickBuilders.com

Essickbuilders.com

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FRIGA CONSTRUCTION CO. Eric Friga

When dealing with a contractor with 46 years in the business, hundreds of ideas are brought to the table. These ideas, representing small projects to lavish renovations, develop into a unique design that is truly stylish, special and a ordable. Clients looking for one-stop shopping nd it very relaxing to work with a contractor that handles every detail. The cost is determined before the rst nail is driven and you are given a detailed proposal that leaves little to be misinterpreted. We are not a one-size- ts-all contractor. This is your home and you deserve a result that re ects your tastes and needs. At Friga Construction, visions become reality.

REMODELER

417.887.7134

Eric@FrigaInc.com FrigaInc.com

Gene Douglas Construction

Gene Douglas

Since 1994, when Gene Douglas moved his family and business from California to the Ozarks, he has been known by his original, spacious open oor plans as well as his inviting exterior living spaces that so typify the California living style. As a contractor and developer of subdivisions in Christian County, Gene’s reputation for excellence in workmanship, commitment, careful attention to details and customer satisfaction is still the main reason homeowners trust Gene Douglas Construction to build their new homes and additions.

BUILDER/REMODELER

417.581.8025

Gene@GeneDouglasConstruction.com

GeneDouglasConstruction.com

Ha Construction Design

Andy Flint

At HA Construction Design, we pride ourselves in great kitchen and bathroom remodeling. From the rst idea to the nal coat of paint, we are a part of every aspect of the project. Owner Andy Flint and his itemized bids help home owners establish a realistic budget. Andy’s practical oor planning, designs and drawings of the nished space help owners visualize the end result. From choosing paint colors to picking xtures, countertops and ooring, Andy is there throughout the building process, and with 20+ years of experience Andy and his “in house” carpenters and contractors make a dream remodel a reality. HA Construction also owns a cabinet shop, and carpenter Michael Boyd and nisher Joe Tucker build amazing custom cabinets exclusively for HA Construction Design.

REMODELER

417.725.8877

Andy@HAConstructionDesign.com

HAConstructionDesign.com

Hawthorne Creek Homes

Stan and Regina Gutshall

We make it easy! Build your custom home for less money and less hassle. No stress, no worries and a sta that holds your hand from start to nish. We provide the architect and decorator, along with the latest designs and features that enable you to have your new home exactly the way you want, at less cost. Hawthorne Creek Homes is famous for single-level, custom homes with basements and bonus rooms available. Open, light and bright, these oorplans incorporate a West Coast in uence with beautiful exteriors emphasizing Farmhouse, Craftsman and English Cottage designs. Before choosing a builder, come see us and the only model home in southwest Missouri. We can build on your lot or in any community within a 35-mile radius.

BUILDER

417.724.9880

RGutshall@live.com

HawthorneCreekHomes.com