I was out with a group of friends the other night at dinner, and discussion turned to home construction. Of the 9 of us in the group, several had built a home, and some had built 2 or 3 homes. We all had horror stories to tell - unfortunately, there are a lot of shady contractors and builders out there giving the industry a bad name. That’s why it’s so important to know what you’re getting into when you decide to build a home. You can read up on construction loans and such online, and knowing what to expect in advance can save you a lot of heartache and headaches. The site I linked above even has tips on how to choose a contractor. Rule #1 - make sure he’s licensed! I can’t even begin to tell you how many crooks there are in Florida who are NOT licensed to do the work they’re doing. My mother hired someone who didn’t have a license - he actually pulled the permits under someone elses’ license, which is a big no-no. There was another local contractor who started work on 50+ homes and then left town.

Your home is probably one of your biggest investments, and even while you’re at the foundation stage, you need to protect your investment. Be informed!