This page is designed as a service for information about how to choose the right home builder.

We believe the main ingredients to the informed decision are:

Trust Quality Value

Other Important Information in choosing the right builder

Trust

You need to feel that you have developed trust with your builder and that they are building for you and not for the purpose of what's convenient for them. You obtain trust from: honesty, integrity, humility, vulnerability and reputation.


Quality
Ask questions as to what type of building practices are used.

We believe a high quality house begins with a solid foundation. Investigate as to how deep the footings will be and know what type of soil you have. In clay soils, we suggest that your footing holes be four feet deep with 12" of compacted gravel and then 12" of concrete. Clay soils will expand and contract at depths with fluctuating temperatures. At three feet and deeper the soil stays at a constant 72° and thus the clay will not expand or contract.

What type of building materials will be used?
We like to use pre-engineered lumber for the foundation. These engineered products have been designed for specific uses for specific loads and have zero defects. As a standard practice, we use TJI's (a pre-engineered floor joist) which is stronger and straighter than the traditional nominal lumber. The pre-engineered products cost slightly more but we see the benefits as we never received a call back for an imperfect floor. Then, we use 3/4" ply wood for the floor foundation which has a tongue and groove for a snug fit. We glue the tongue and grooves together and also glue the ply wood to the floor joists instead of using nails. A squeaky floor can occur as nails pop up and down and pressure is applied. By using screws, we eliminate the possibility of any squeaks. We also like to use three rows of blocking in the joints to really stiffen the floor rather than the traditional single row.

We urge you to follow up with your builder as to what building practice they implement for a solid foundation.

How much work will your builder actually perform?
We like to perform our own masonry, carpentry and painting. By doing so, we control the costs, time and quality. We feel that if you come to us, you expect us to build the house and not sub-contract everything out, otherwise, we would just be a sales company.

What about hurricane straps?Ask your builder what type of hurricane straps will be used. There is a minimum code requirement but you can investigate whether or not your builder goes beyond code. Our position is that the hurricane straps are relatively inexpensive and with the correct tools, a superior application can be used to greatly increase the wind uplift rating. We want your home to be around through many hurricanes, so investigate as to what applications will be used.

What about painting?
We believe that anybody can paint, but not everyone can do quality work. Also, you have to be knowledgeable as to what type of paint is used for each purpose. For exterior applications, we use a primer with a stain blocker and tint the primer to the finish color for a solid look. We spray first and then back-roll to get all the paint into the siding or block. We like to use a wash and will uphold to dirt better than flat paint. However, semi-gloss paint can be slippery when wet, so for decks, we add silica sand in the paint to act as a skid-resistant. If your builder uses Hi-Bor termite treated lumber, make sure that all four sides of the lumber is primed if it is used for exterior application. We don't like to sub out painting because the builder may have a difficult time monitoring what type of product is being used and how much of it too. Some people have been know to water down the paint so they can further its use. We at Hicks believe that a quality paint job is what makes a house look nice for an extended amount of time.

What about caulking?
We also believe the right type of caulking is important. You can purchase caulking with a 15- or 35-year durability guarantee. For 10-12 more cents a tube, we purchase the 45-55 year durability caulking. We like to use the acrylic latex with silicone to improve the adhesion and flexibility (as caulking expands and contracts). Latex caulk is appropriate for areas which require painting. We use silicone caulk in areas where the caulk will not be painted and in areas where water is present (i.e., where the bathtub joins tiling or where a sink meets a countertop).

Will your builder have any meetings with you?
We like to have on-site construction meetings with our homeowners before we pour the foundation, before the drywall is hung and before completion. We meet before we pour the foundation so that we can show you our rebar installation, termite treatment and structure placement procedures. Before the drywall is hung, we schedule to meet you at your new home to brief you on termite treatment, hurricane ties and proper installation of all plumbing and electrical items.

It is also important to know that you meet with the right person. Do you meet with the builder himself or with a sales associate or superintendent? Knowing who to meet with makes a difference in obtaining quick, informed answers to your questions and concerns.

What about trade organizations?
Does your builder belong to any builder associations? We believe that good, reputable people belong to trade organizations. From this, they uphold to higher standards, are judged by their peers and get access to the latest technology and trends. Hicks Homes belongs to the Associated Builders and Contractors, Building Industry Association and National Association of Home Builders. Joe Kindrich, President of Hicks Homes, is also the Chairperson and board member of the Safety Committee for the Associated Builders and Contractors - Hawaii Chapter.

- If your builder can't answer the details to your questions, can you trust him?
- Is your builder established to insure that they will be around for your service?

If you have any questions regarding building or the building process, contact our President, Joe Kindrich, by e-mail at: hickshomes-joe@hawaii.rr.com. He will give you a prompt reply. This service is free, with NO obligation to you, the consumer.

Value

- What will you get from using this builder?
- Will you get a sense of confidence?
- What type of value can you expect once your new home is completed?
- Will this home suit your lifestyle?
- Is there enough living space?
- Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
- What about storage space?
- Consider the amount of upkeep required for both indoors and out.
- Will you have a good resale value?

What to look for in choosing your home builder:

What does RME stand for?
RME stands for Responsible Management Employee. By Hawaii state law, a contracting firm must have a RME license. The RME license is issued to an individual which holds this person responsible and accountable for the project. Be aware of and ask who the RME is. Sometimes it could be someone not even associated with the company. We emphasize the importance of the RME and believe that the person holding this title should be of good character.

Will your job be bonded?
Usually this is a material house bond (from the lumber supplier), performance bond or payment bond issue to the home builder. It may also be required by a bank who is performing construction financing. The material house bond basically says that if the home builder fails to perform his obligation to the contract, the material house has the fiduciary and legal responsibility of completing the project.

Did the builder give you a copy of the Disclosure of Lien Rights?
The Disclosure of Lien Rights is a form issued by the DCCA (Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs) to inform the homeowner of good practices to follow before binding into a contract. Technically, the DCCA requires this form to be signed by both the homeowner and builder.

Who performs the work on your project?
Some home builders sub trade work out to other contractors. In essence, the builder you may be working with is really just performing a service and may not produce or maintain what they sell. This is common in our industry. We at Hicks Homes take pride in a tradition of performing our own work. We perform our own masonry, rough carpentry, finish carpentry, painting, cultured marble, ceramic tile, and waterproofing. We sub out roofing, electrical, plumbing and drywall. We have found that this combination produces superior results with excellent service. We can control quality, time and budget. You may also want to ask who the sub-contractors are. Since they are actually performing the work, maybe they are not in good standing with the Better Business Bureau or DCCA.

What is their service like after the project is completed?
When our job is completed, we issue a 60-day and 11-month inspection report. All work performed by Hicks is warranted for one year with the following exceptions: