Choosing a builder to build your home is not an easy task.  We understand the myriad of choices you have available to you, and we thank you for considering our company for such an important event.

Perhaps the most important thing to look at when deciding on a builder, is the way they conduct themselves in business.  Unfortunately, builders as a whole tend to have a rather poor reputation in this regard.  Many builders tend to be very good at pounding nails, but leave something to be desired when it comes to running the business.  Furthermore, there are ample opportunities for builders to cut corners, act negligently, or perhaps even dishonestly when it comes to their business practices.

The chances are pretty good that during your search for a builder, you will run into at least one who is hiring employees and calling them subcontractors.  They do this to avoid the payroll taxes and the cost of mandatory Workers Compensation insurance.   Not only is that against the law, but it puts their customers at great risk, should one of their workers get injured on the jobsite.  The definitions set forth under Maine law regarding employees and subcontractors are very clear.   The contractors that play this game can call their employees anything they want, but when someone on your property gets seriously hurt, everyone gets sued, and the work relationships of everyone involved will be discovered.  I've heard of situations where, in a court of law, the customers were determined to be the general contractor because of the loose-knit relationship they put themselves in with a local carpenter they hired to build their home. My advice to you is to not put yourself in one of these compromised positions.   Hire a company that is doing things the right way, and verify that they are before you get too involved and invested in them.

Design Concepts Company adheres to the highest standards when it comes to our business practices.  We are fully insured, including general liability, builder's risk for each home that we build, and workers compensation for all of our employees.

We are very proud of our written documents.  We have received many compliments over the years from banks regarding our specification sheet.  It has evolved over the years to be a very good descriptive document.  It is the main reason why I remain freinds with my customers after their house is built!   Any home construction contract must include a clear definition of how the house will be built, the materials to be used, and a clear price.

Speaking of price, we always conduct our work under a fixed-price contract.   This is the only method that assures you of knowing what your house will cost to build regardless of market conditions or builder whim.  MAKE SURE YOU GET IT CLEARLY IN WRITING.

We provide lien waivers upon request.  We set up a draw schedule that we all sign that clearly shows how payments will be made.  As the construction progresses, you will receive bills for work that has been completed.  Each bill also records previous payments so you'll always know where you stand as far as payment goes.

Design Concepts Company has a staffed office and all of our foremen have cell phones, so you'll always be able to get in touch with us at any time.

Our crews are asked to be respectful of you and your property.  

We do things "By the Book" here at Design Concepts Company.  Our customers don't have to worry about the way the money is being handled, if subs are being paid, if they can reach us by phone, getting return phone calls, the crew not showing up when they're supposed to, the price changing part way through the construction, etc...

When you hire Design Concepts Company, you can relax and not worry about the business side of things.  We want you to concentrate on other more important things . . . like picking out your tile flooring!