REAL ESTATE AGENT
Your choice in real estate agencies to work with is crucial to the success of your new home experience. You will need an agent who specializes in new home areas and knows the ropes when it comes to building your new home. Your agent will show you different areas that suit your needs, along with model homes and building plans for your perfect home. Our agents work closely with area builders and developers and have the expertise to assist you every step of the way.
BUILDER OR GENERAL CONTRACTOR
The general contractor secures bids for all work and materials; hires, coordinates and oversees subcontractors; files for permits and arranges for inspections; and generally makes the final decisions in all construction-related matters.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER/FOREMAN
The general contractor’s right-hand man. A construction manager can be on site when the general contractor is not.
SUBCONTRACTOR
A specialist who undertakes responsibility for one phase or trade within the project and reports to the general contractor. In a typical home building project, subcontractors generally include: an excavation contractor who digs foundations and grades the site; a masonry contractor who handles all concrete, block, brickwork and paving; a framing contractor who constructs the shell and interior partitions; a roofing contractor; a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractor; a plumbing contractor; an electrical contractor; drywall installers; insulation contractors; finish carpenters who generally handle wood flooring, trim work, and cabinet installation; and a painting contractor.
BUILDING INSPECTOR
One or more local officials who oversee and regulate every phase of residential construction. Regulations vary widely. In the greater Wichita area home construction meets standards contained in the Uniform Building Code. In addition, applicable provisions of the Uniform Fire & Plumbing/Mechanical & Electrical codes are enforced. Typically, permits are issued and inspections are made at key stages of construction by County and City building code enforcement departments.
LENDER
The financial institution that provides construction loan financing during construction and permanent financing for the home buyer after the home is built and there is a property settlement, referred to in our area as closing. Most lenders make what is referred to as “end loans” which is the loan made to the buyer of a new home, and others make both the “end loan” and “construction loan financing” which provides funds to pay for costs incurred during construction.
TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY
The entity that conducts a comprehensive search of the public records to make sure that the title received by a buyer of a new home is “free and clear of any liens and encumbrances”. This assures the issuance of a clear or “merchantable” title in favor of the buyer of a new home at the closing of the sale of the property.
SURVEYOR
A professional with the training and equipment to establish or verify property lines. The surveyor also plots and marks the topography of the site, which is crucial in preparing the site plan. He or she may also be employed to stake out the building site, setting reference marks for foundation excavation, establishing grades for roads or driveways and marking the locations for a septic system and water well, if necessary.
ARCHITECT
Building design professional who has completed all required university training in architecture and passed state licensing exams; initials A.I.A. and F.A.I.A. indicate membership in a professional organization, but not licensed status.
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Specialist in decoration and furnishing; special training and licensing not required. Initials A.S.I.D. following individual’s name indicate membership in a professional association, for which training and passing tests are required.
KITCHEN/BATH DESIGNER
Specialist in designing these rooms; initials C.K.D. and C.B.D. indicate certification by a professional association, for which training and passing tests are required. License is not required for practice.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Specialist in landscape and garden planning; primary concerns include site selection, grading, access, drainage and protection of existing plant material. License required for practice in Kansas.
*Information from Wichita Area Builders Association
