A team of professionals Builders / Contractors You may deal with a builder or contractor if you buy a new home? Have one custom built or Require renovations to a resale home To ensure a builder’s credibility and quality, ask for references, talk to other customers about the builder’s work or check with the new home warranty program. If you’re buying a new home from a developer or builder Visit other housing developments that the company has built. You can also ask builders or contractors if they are a member of a local home builders’ association, or Ask for a provincial license number to ensure your contractor is registered. A good way to start looking for any professional is to ask for referrals from satisfied friends. If you’re building a custom home, You may also want to hire an architect. Standard architect’s fees are 10% of the total project cost. Builders of custom homes and renovators usually work on either a fixed-price or a cost-plus formula. Your contract should outline what the payment type is. All contracts with a builder should be as specific as possible about con-struction details, right down to the brand name or model number of any finishes. Any changes to your contract should be initialled by you. Appraisers