"Building your dream home or CUSTOM PROJECT? why A consultant is your best first hire"

AVOID COMMON PITFALLS: WHY HIRING A CONSULTANT FIRST IN YOUR CUSTOM BUILD PROJECT IS ESSENTIAL!

TWO BIG PROBLEMS CLIENTS FACE...

Planning a custom home or any custom building project is an exciting journey, but it can also be overwhelming. From choosing the perfect site to designing the ideal floor plan, there are countless decisions to make. However, when it comes to getting started, two major challenges stand out for homeowners: figuring out who to trust and knowing what questions to ask first. These two hurdles can make the entire process feel daunting, but addressing them early on can set the stage for a smoother, more successful project. The good news? There’s a simple solution: hiring a consultant before you make any other calls.

PROBLEM 1: WHO DO YOU TRUST?

One of the biggest obstacles homeowners face when starting a custom building project is determining who they can trust. The custom home industry is filled with professionals—builders, architects, designers, engineers, and more—and each of them plays a critical role in bringing your dream custom build project to life. But how do you know which of these professionals have the right skills, experience, and reliability to ensure that your project is successful?

This challenge is compounded by the fact that a custom home, addition or other custom building projects are a substantial financial, time consuming, and emotional investment. Homeowners want to be sure they’re working with trustworthy experts who will listen to their vision, offer guidance, and ultimately help them achieve their vision. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to distinguish between professionals who are genuinely dedicated to their craft and those simply trying to make a quick profit.

For example, if you were to start by calling several builders, how do you know which one is reputable? A builder might have great marketing materials, but can they deliver on their promises? Have they successfully completed projects similar to yours? Will they stick to your budget and timeline, or will you face constant surprises and delays? With so many options available, it’s easy to feel like you’re in the dark, unsure which professional can truly be trusted with your project.

PROBLEM 2: WHAT DO I ASK FIRST?

How do you narrow down potential professionals to work with, if you don't know what questions to ask? When planning a custom building project, you might not know where to begin, especially if you’ve never built a home or addition before. Do you start by asking about experience, timelines, or budget? What specific details do you need to address to ensure you’re hiring the right person for the job?

Asking the right questions upfront is critical to ensure a smooth process, but many homeowners struggle to identify which questions will reveal the most important information. The risk of missing a critical piece of information or misunderstanding an answer can lead to major issues later in the project, such as unexpected costs, project delays, or unmet expectations.

For instance, asking about price per square foot is a good start, but what about asking about a builder’s experience with the specific type of home you want to build? What are their processes for handling changes to the design once construction starts? How do they communicate and manage the project timeline? Without asking the right questions, you could end up hiring a professional who doesn’t align with your goals or expectations.

Knowing which questions to ask and how to evaluate the responses is key. Many homeowners get stuck here because they don’t know enough about the construction process to even know what to inquire about, making it easy to overlook important details. This can lead to confusion and stress, particularly when the time comes to make final decisions.

THE SOLUTION: HIRING A CONSULTANT

So, how do you avoid falling into the traps of trusting the wrong people and asking the wrong questions? The answer is simple: Hire a consultant first.

A consultant who specializes in custom home building is an invaluable resource in the early stages of your project. Consultants act as impartial advisors, helping you navigate the complex landscape of home building with expertise and a clear understanding of the key decisions you’ll need to make. Their primary role is to ensure your vision for your dream home is brought to life while protecting your budget and timeline.

One of the major benefits of hiring a consultant early in the process is that they bring clarity to the situation. They have extensive experience working with various professionals in the construction industry, so they can help you identify trustworthy experts from the start. They know how to vet builders, architects, designers, and other contractors based on their track record, reputation, and suitability for your specific project.

Moreover, a consultant can guide you in asking the right questions. With their insider knowledge of the building process, they can provide you with a comprehensive list of questions tailored to your particular needs and goals. They can also help you understand the answers you receive, ensuring you don’t miss any important details or red flags that could affect your project down the line.

Perhaps most importantly, a consultant provides the peace of mind that you are making informed decisions from the start. They can help you avoid costly mistakes and delays that often arise when homeowners make decisions without the proper guidance. By hiring a consultant, you can feel confident that you’re on the right path and that your dream home is in the hands of the right professionals.

So, knowing the benefits of a consultant is one thing, but actually making the call and gaining the confidence is another. But don't worry, I am here to help.

BENEFITS TO HAVING A CONSULTANT

FEATURES TO HAVING A CONSULTANT

Expert Guidance 30+ Years
Over the Shoulder View From an Unbiased Builder's Perspective
An Understanding of Budget Management
An Understanding of Contracts
Understand the Full Schedule
Problem Resolution
Emotional Support
Property, Utilities, and House Design Consultation
Decision Making Support
Risk Management
Understanding Change Order Management
Virtual Project Oversight Support
Walkthrough and Inspection Discussions

BUDGETS
HOUSE DESIGN
FINDING YOUR ARCHITECT
FINDING YOUR BUILDER

PERMITTING
ZONING
LAND PURCHASE | LAND DEVELOPMENT
INSPECTIONS

UTILITIES
BUILDING PHASE
THE FULL SCHEDULE
GENERAL LEGAL

FINANCING VS CASH
EXTERIOR & INTERIOR SELECTIONS
AFTER COMPLETION
ACCESSORY BUILDINGS | ADDITIONS

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Great Clients!

"We chose Tina B because her expertise, attention to detail, and guidance through the entire process made our custom home addition a success. During our build we realized that other people we shared our experience with were not so fortunate. It's all about laying out expectations so the stress levels are kept in check; that was our experience with Tina B as our builder. Tina’s building process inspired us to encourage her shift from building to consulting, where her insights could help clients prepare fully from the start nation wide. For anyone planning a custom building project, hiring a consultant like Tina B is invaluable."

Gary, MI

"After firing our original builder, we hired Tina B to rescue our custom home project, which had been plagued by delays, errors, and legal battles, resulting in a costly year-long standstill. Tina not only corrected the extensive mistakes left behind but also restructured our budget, timeline, and materials to align with our current needs, demonstrating the value of having a knowledgeable consultant from the start. Her 30+ years of experience in construction allowed her to expertly guide us through every phase, proving that an impartial consultant can help prevent costly setbacks, and ensure the project stays on track. We highly recommend Tina B as your consultant!" - Bryan & Angela, MI

"We initially chose another builder over Tina B for our custom home and quickly regretted it as the builder’s delays, broken promises, and poor communication led to costly setbacks, including mold growth due to prolonged construction delays. After losing tens of thousands of dollars to unexpected costs and breached contracts, we reached out to Tina B, who, out of kindness, guided us discreetly through completion. Her expert advice allowed us to move forward despite the builder’s manipulative tactics, underscoring the importance of having a knowledgeable consultant from the start. Having an unbiased perspective from a consultant is a must!."

Kim, MI

"After a fire destroyed my home, Tina B guided me through insurance claims and helped me build a beautiful custom home, turning a painful loss into a financial gain. Later, I attempted a renovation without her, only to face delays, poor communication, and costly mistakes, eventually leading to the builder abandoning the project. Overwhelmed, I turned to Tina for help again, and her guidance enabled me to complete the renovation and salvage the project. This experience showed me the invaluable benefit of having Tina B’s expertise as a consultant, ensuring smooth, protected, and successful project outcomes." Chris, MI

30+ YEARS IN THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING INDUSTRY

Don't know where to start?

We TOTALLY FEEL YA! See, some people have little knowledge and try to Google or YouTube their way through. Some people rely on their friends and family, or tell themselves..."I got a guy", and for those you who have built before, have you stayed up to date with costs, trends, methods and codes?

Tina B has the experience, knowledge and education that is critical to understand the entire residential construction process. Her experience ranges over 30 years consisting of Field Operations, Project Management, Purchasing, Estimating, Design, Land Development, Schedules, Systems, Modular and Conventional Construction Delivery Methods, Selections, Contracts, Legal, The Emotional State of Mind, and much more. As a retired builder, her efforts are now focused on consulting! "We need to help people understand that the focus and attention needs to be about The Process!"

Get My Free Gift - "20 Vital Questions To Find The Right Builder"