Is the Three-Bid Process a Misleading Home Build Strategy?

When it comes to a new-home build, preparation is as important as construction. From researching builders to requesting and comparing bids, the relationships you establish with contractors, architects and designers are essential to the overall success of a project. H-1 Construction contractor Lucas Stensland offers helpful tips to select the right building team for you.

1. Choose a collaborative team
Identifying potential builders is the first step. Rather than drafting plans with an architect at the start of a project and then requesting bids from various contractors, Stensland encourages homeowners to interview and select their contractors first. This will ensure that design drafts are highly detailed, and realistic budgets can be clearly set.

“It’s about informing the client about what their budget can afford and putting them in the driver’s seat of how they want to spend their money,” explains Stensland. “Clients should be informed about the materials they choose, the potential consequences, and what concessions they may be making in order to obtain that budget.”

H-1 Construction’s Team includes (L-R): Construction Manager Jozef Pikula, Operations Manager Xiomara Ayala and General Contractor Lucas Stensland.

When homeowners select H-1 Construction, they are getting that collaborative team, which includes an architect, general contractor, engineer, etc, Stensland says, “I’m in all of those meetings — explaining to them the cost benefits, warranty benefits, and guiding them through window, flooring, paint decisions, etc.”

Rather than exploring the “three-bid process” — which often begins with general drafts and a search for bids to assess the most affordable contractor — it’s paramount to select your collaborative team along with a general contractor who can provide industry knowledge at the beginning of your process. A general contractor will help to inform you about how important it is to align your budget and expectations.

2. Research building companies before you connect

Choose a contractor who can offer transparent and trustworthy guidance. Stensland recommends that homeowners familiarize themselves with helpful resources like eCourt* Kokua the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs business check, and the Better Business Bureau to research builders prior to selecting a few to interview. These places can offer insight into pending lawsuits and issues experienced by past clients. “We encourage clients to search companies like eCourt* Kokua which are powerful tools,” shares Stensland.

3. Seek educational opportunities

To better assist clients and potential customers through the building process, H-1 Construction offers informative blogs on its website, and one-on-one workshops for homeowners every third Thursday at 5 p.m. for homeowners and aspiring homeowners. At the seminars, the H-1 Construction team provides guidance on aligning expectations with budgets, identifying and avoiding project pitfalls, and navigating the building and design process.

“These workshops stem from wanting to help people make better decisions, and I have a whole arsenal of resources to be able to help people,” states Stensland. “Even if we aren’t the best fit for a project, I can guide them to a contractor who is, and refer them to others I’ve worked with so they don’t end up in a bad situation.”

And regardless of whether you’ve purchased a property or are still envisioning your dream home, the knowledge gained is invaluable. “Even if [building your own home] feels like a far-fetched dream, the earlier you can begin educating yourself, the better.”

4. Come prepared with a clear vision
The more concise your vision of a home build, the better your building team can help you realize it. This begins with answering key questions about your intentions: Is this a home you plan to live in for a few years and sell? Or one that you hope to pass down to future generations?

Knowing general details about square footage and how many rooms you want is also important. Do you need to account for a growing family or aging relatives? Once you understand both the short- and long-term goals for your home, your contractor can personalize it to your family’s needs.

“I like to say we build relationships, not houses. We want to get to know our clients and build their house around them, so the home has value to them. Building a home is a year-and-a-half-long process,” and an expensive and delicate one, too, Stensland says, and it “deserves to be treated as such.”

For more information on H-1 Construction and its educational resources, head to their Home Building Workshop page to sign up. And see H-1 Construction’s incredible work on this beautiful Pearl City kitchen in our August/September 2023 issue.