Michael Bates
225 NW 58th Street
Topeka, KS 66617
(785) 608-7452
Billau Constructors
Tony Billau
7245 SE Hwy 40
Tecumseh, KS 66542
(785) 379-0867
Website: rusticsofkansas.com
Mark Boling Construction,
Inc.
Mark Boling
3025 NE Kansa Trail
Topeka, KS 66617
(785) 235-9225
Website: markbolingconstruction.com
Borton Construction Co.,
Inc.
Mark Borton
712 SW Randolph Ave.
Topeka, KS 66606
(785) 354-7293
Brainstorm Development Group,
L.L.C.
Gene Jani Jr.
3031 SW Wanamaker Rd. STE A
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 228-2854
Cebulski Construction, L.L.C.
Jeff Cebulski
2913 SW Maupin Ln.
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 273-8002
Champion Builders, L.L.C.
Greg Murray
1836 SW 65th St.
Topeka, KS 66619
(785) 862-3900
Clampitt-Hersh Development,
L.L.C.
Barbara Hersh
5043 NW Sterling Chase
Topeka, KS 66618
(785) 554-0663
Website: chdtopeka.com
Dargal Clark Builders, Inc.
Dargal Clark
1324 SW Auburn Rd.
Topeka, KS 66615
(785) 478-4811
Website: dargalclarkbuilders.com
Custom Homes of Kansas, Inc.
Mike Perry
1131 SW Winding Rd
Topeka, KS 66611
(785) 582-4505
Website: customhomesofks.com
Robert Davenport Construction,
Inc.
Mark Davenport
4305 SW Drury Ln.
Topeka, KS 66604
(785) 272-7308
Robert Davenport Construction,
Inc.
Robert Davenport
6142 SW 40th Terrace
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 478-3113
Designer Homes, Inc.
Sam Gish
8534 SW 51st. St.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 550-4295
Development IV, L.L.C.
Buddy Salsbury
2231 SW Wanamaker, Ste 202
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 271-8600
Droge Construction, Inc.
Jason Droge
2545 NE Kaw Valley Rd.
Topeka, KS 66615
(785) 224-7771
Website: drogehomes.com
Mark Ediger Builder
Mark Ediger
7707 SW 27th
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 608-1979
Robert Ediger, Builder
Robert Ediger
5957 SW Clarion Ln.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 272-8788
Mike Elliott Construction
Mike Elliott
3901 SW Roy Rd.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 231-3901
R.A. Fulmer Co., Inc.
Royce Fulmer
6313 Monarch Crt.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 478-2244
Rick Grose Construction,
L.L.C.
Rick Grose
6711 SW 40th
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 478-3312
Hacks Quality Custom Homes,
Inc.
Shane Hack
3434 SE Taurus Ave.
Topeka, KS 66605
(785) 267-3900
Website: hackshomes.com
Chris Hamilton Construction,
Inc.
Chris Hamilton
2032 SW West Trail Rd.
Topeka, KS 66615
(785) 478-9944
D.M. Hawks Builder
Dustin Hawks
P.O. Box 67205
Topeka, KS 66667
(785) 925-3688
Website: www.dustinhawks.com
Mike Hawks Construction
Mike Hawks
4900 SW Urish Rd.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 478-9922
Heritage Homes of Kansas
L.L.C.
Craig Lutz
1020 SW Dartmoor Lane
Topeka, KS 66604
(785) 273-0565
Wm. C. Hogue Construction,
Inc.
Bill Hogue
4935 SW Wanamaker Rd.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 862-5500
D. Hoover Construction Company,
Inc.
Duane Hoover
2700 SE 45th St.
Topeka, KS 66609
(785) 267-1197
Housemasters Design/Build
Professionals, Inc.
Gerry Murphy
P.O. Box 5635
Topeka, KS 66605
(785) 234-9691
Housing Specialists, L.L.C.
Kent Hollins
3615 SW 29th St.
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 806-1300
Hughes Construction Co.
Bob Hughes
948 N. 1750 Rd.
Lawrence, KS 66049
(785) 843-9406
KanBuild, Inc.
Quintin Robert
PO Box 259
Osage City, KS 66523
(785) 528-4163
Website: kanbuild.com
KC Builders, Inc.
Steve Younger
5104 SE Paulen Road
Berryton, KS 66409
(785) 969-8561
Website: rockfireatthelake.com
kcbuildersinc.com
Kent & Company, Inc.
Kent Fruits
2150 SW Westport Dr., Ste 202
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 215-8332
Kerns Construction, Inc.
Keith Kerns
4320 NW Button Place
Topeka, KS 66618
(785) 246-4140
Russ King Homes, L.L.C.
Russ King
4413 NW Rochester
Topeka, KS 66617
(785) 246-0644
Website: russkinghomes.com
Kruggel & Brown Construction,
Inc.
Todd Kruggel
2941 SE Meadow View Dr.
Topeka, KS 66605
(785) 608-4372
Landmark Homes
George Coe
2237 SW Miller's Glen Drive
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 273-0805
Loeffler Homes & Remodeling,
L.L.C.
Stephen Loeffler
7417 SW Arthurs Rd.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 271-2460
Website: loefflerhomes.com
Craig McCoy Construction
Craig McCoy
6343 SW Bayshore Dr.
Auburn, KS 66402
(785) 478-4501
Mike McCoy Construction
Mike McCoy
1223 Warren Ave.
Topeka, KS 66604
(785) 640-0097
McMillin Construction Custom
Homes, Inc.
Christina Leifried
4431 SE California
Topeka, KS 66608
(785) 266-4933
McPherson Contractors, Inc.
Bruce McPherson
3501 SW Fairlawn Rd. STE 100
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 273-3880
Medallion Homes, Inc.
Ron Faught
PO Box 3877
Topeka, KS 66604
(785) 925-0149
Moore Construction
Dan Moore
2704 NW Topeka Ave.
Topeka, KS 66617
(785) 233-1246
Website: mooreloghomes.com
Nations Home Builders, Inc.
Charlie Nations
3334 NW Bent Tree Lane
Topeka, KS 66618
(785) 286-2588
North Star Homes, Inc.
Paul Muxlow
4740 NW 44th Pl.
Topeka, KS 66618
(785) 286-2869
Gary Pashman Construction,
Inc.
Gary Pashman
6354 SW 10th St.
Topeka, KS 66615
(785) 273-1294
Picerne Military Housing
Scott Kotwas
PO Box 2288, 2460 A "G" St.
Fort Riley, KS 66442
(785) 717-2200
Website: rileypicerne.com
Pierce Custom Homes, Inc.
Kyle Pierce
5007 NW Sterling Chase Dr.
Topeka, KS 66618
(785) 246-4122
Website: piercecustomhomestopeka.com
Pinnacle Homes of Kansas,
Inc.
Todd Hutton
4015 SW Wanamaker Rd.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 478-3456
Prellwitz Construction, Inc.
Mark Prellwitz
3333 NW 49th Terr.
Topeka, KS 66618
(785) 286-4116
Website: prellwitzconstruction.com
Prestige Living, L.L.C.
Joyce Brown
4421 SE Oakview Lane
Topeka, KS 66609
(785) 640-1044
Pruitt Builders
Russell Pruitt
3342 NW 49th Terr.
Topeka, KS 66618
(785) 286-2263
Ramsey Custom Homes, L.L.C.
Harold Ramsey
6040 SW 37th St.
Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 478-0218
Robinson Building Corporation
Terry Robinson
517 NW Tyler Ct. STE C
Topeka, KS 66608
(785) 478-1965
Russell Enterprises
Mark Augustine
11027 NW 31st
Silver Lake, KS 66539
(785) 286-2225
Solomon Homes, L.L.C.
Greg Brownlee
PO Box 8760
Topeka, KS 66608
(785) 845-0132
Website: solomon-homes.com
Eric Stucky Builder
Eric Stucky
PO Box 19194
Topeka, KS 66619
(785) 925-0155
Dennis R. Sumner Construction,
Inc.
Dennis Sumner
915 NW Valencia
Topeka, KS 66615
(785) 478-1701
Website: sumnerconstruction.biz
Superior Building Technology
& Design, L.L.C.
Ron Williams
4307 SW Cambridge
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 213-3597
Welcome Homes, L.L.C.
Steve Jablonowski
4141 SE East Edge Rd.
Topeka, KS 66609
(785) 213-7284
Frank A. Wietharn Homes,
L.L.C.
Frank Wietharn
PO Box 102
Topeka, KS 66601
(785) 273-6662
Wildwoods, Inc.
David Carreno
30505 Post Creek Rd.
Topeka, KS 66615
(785) 256-6335
Printable Builders List
Know the Scope of Work
•If your project will
involve an architect, make sure the plans are finalized before the start
of the project. Many contractors work with architects to create what’s
called a “negotiated contract.” This helps you decide what
you want included in the job and at what price. Knowing the price of each
architectural item (a volume entry, for example, or an extra bedroom)
will help you decide whether or not to include it in the plans.
•If you don’t work
with an architect, you might work with a design/build contractor. These
contractors both design and build your project. They offer one-stop shopping,
in a sense, by helping you determine a budget and then designing your
project to fit that budget. Make sure your design/build contractor offers
you different design alternatives. The contractor shouldn’t try
trap you into creating a product he or she wants to build instead of one
in which you want to live.
•Revisit the plans often through the estimating process. Remember,
you have to live with the end result. The contractor doesn’t. Bear
in mind, however, that if you make a change to the plans and/or project
after the scope of work has been established and you’ve signed the
contract, you may be charged for change orders.
Be Clear About Budgets
•Know your budget and
communicate it ahead of time to everyone involved in the project. Letting
the contractor know your budget helps him/her save time in creating the
estimate and determining what is acceptable if changes are required.
•It is the contractor’s
job to track the actual construction budget against the contract price.
However, you need to have a game plan to determine how you will respond
to an “unplanned change” or schedule delay. You must be clear
on what the outcome will be to your purse and/or the project’s quality.
•Expect changes. Most
contracts include a minimum of ten percent additional costs due to changes
during the job. Be sure to include that amount of money in your budget.
Know the Contractor
•Qualify potential contractors
before wasting their time with the estimating process. A great bid but
a poor job record is not going to get you anywhere. This is why it’s
so important to ask for and check references (which is detailed below).
•Limit the bidding process
to no more than three contractors. This will give you time to research
and determine the contractor who is best suited to your project.
•Interview the potential
contractors. See “Crucial Questions to Ask Your Contractor,”
below.
•Interview potential
contractors’ current and past clients, as well as the professionals
the contractors work with (trade contractors and vendors). Don’t
trust a referral statement on a piece of paper. Get on the phone and speak
directly to references or meet them in person.
For customer references,
find out:
•If they are current
references or really old ones.
•If the references are
for jobs similar to yours. Are the projects similar in scope and price
range to yours?
Call customer references. Ask the tough questions:
•How much was the original
bid?
•How much was the final
project?
•How did the contractor
handle communication? Did he/she keep you informed at all times? Were
there any surprises?
•Did the job finish on
schedule?
•Are/were you satisfied
with the project’s quality and workmanship?
For trade contractor and vendor references, find out:
•If the contractor pays
them on time. (Note: if the contractor does not pay the trade contractor,
the trade contractor can put a lien on your house—which can require
you to pay again.)
•How the contractor communicates
with them about to scheduling.
•How long they have worked
together.
•What they like most
about working with the contractor.
•What would they like
to see improved in their relationships with the contractor.
•Do background checks.
Make sure the contractor is licensed. For larger jobs, see if the contractor
is bonded. Check with the local Better Business Bureau and the State Contractors
License Board to see if there any outstanding complaints about the contractor.
•Visit the contractor’s
final projects to get a better feel for the quality of work. Pictures
are nice, but you can learn more from viewing the workmanship in person.
Don’t Put on Price Blinders
•After you’ve
qualified the contractor, review the estimated project price but don’t
let that be the only criteria for the job. Obviously, consider quality
work and the harm that may come if the job is done “cheaply.”
•Also consider the quality
of the contractor’s business operations. It’s an indication
of the type of relationship you’ll have with the contractor and
the customer service he or she likely will provide. Is the proposal presented
professionally? Is there a sample of the legal contract? Is there a schedule
with an expected completion date? Is there a sample change order, a sample
subcontract, and/or a sample communication? If a contractor seems to be
flaky about sharing information, it won’t be easy to communicate
with him or her during the project.
•Many construction businesses
grew from carpenters who loved to build. But there is much more to running
a professional construction company than building projects. Therefore,
make sure you are working with a professional company that follows good
management practices, adheres to all laws and regulations, and will be
around in the long haul. This will go a long way towards guarantying your
ultimate satisfaction with the project.
Proceed
•Once you’ve selected
your builder, let the person do his or her job! Stay informed and make
timely decisions when requested.
•Pick a plan, stick with
it, and don’t change your mind every five minutes. Changes cost
money, and clients are often their own worst enemy during the job’s
progress.
•And finally, trust the
relationship you’ve created. In the end, the goal is to be happy
with the finished project.
Crucial Questions to Ask Your Builder
•What is your company’s
best quality?
•How long have you been
in business?
•Have you done this type of project before?
•Is this project within
the typical scope, size, and price of the jobs you’ve done?
•Are you licensed, bonded
and/or insured?
•May I interview two
past clients and view the finished work?
•Have you been sued by
past clients?
•Have you been sued by
trade contractors or vendors?
•How do you determine
how much to charge for change orders?
•On average, how much
do the total change orders cost as a percentage of the original estimate?
•What process do you
use to communicate change orders or price changes?
•Who will be my primary
contact during the job?
•On average, do you go
below or above your estimates?
Printable
How To Choose Your Builder