If you have never bought a brand new home, or it’s been a long time since you last worked with a new home builder, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Today’s home builders offer a very personal buying experience—one that treats home buying as a partnership between the builder and the home purchaser.

“Sales consultants” are trained to help homebuyers through the buying process. “Customer relations representatives” look after your needs during construction. “Client communication” is an important part of a company’s processes, and the primary goal is “customer satisfaction”, ensuring that your new home purchase is an enjoyable and satisfying experience.

While every company has its own approach, here is what the typical home buying experience is like.

• Choosing your home. Most new home builders sell from model homes and plans. The job of the sales consultant is to help you become familiar with the builder’s range of homes and lots, features, upgrades and prices. The consultant will also want to get to know you, what you need and want in a home, and how much you are willing to invest, so they can help you arrive at the best decisions.


It usually takes a number of visits to reach final decisions. During this time, the sales consultant will help you work through your choices, and find solutions to any special requests you may have. When you are ready to sign the agreement, the sales consultant or builder will go through the contract with you in detail. They will also explain the next steps, so you know what to expect in the months coming up.


• The pre-construction meeting. Before construction of your home begins, the builder will go over the working drawings and the construction process with you. This is done to eliminate errors and ensure that everyone is in agreement. They will explain the blueprint and verify any changes you made to the standard plan. This is also your opportunity to meet the site manager who will be supervising the work on your home.



• During construction. Builders know it can be difficult for homebuyers to sit back and wait patiently for their homes to be built. You are excited, want to know what is going on and begin to make plans for moving in. Most builders schedule a series of site visits at various stages of construction. You may also get updates by phone or e-mail. A few builders install a web cam on site so you can check on your home 24/7.



• Colour selections. At some point before or during construction, you will be asked to make your selection of finishing products—tiles, flooring, cabinets, countertops, faucets, and so on. This is an exciting and enjoyable part of the buying experience—your opportunity to personalize your home and get exactly what you want. Builders offer a range of products, and will usually have a trained coordinator or designer available to assist you with selections.



• The walk-through. Shortly before the builder is ready to hand over the home, you will be asked to go through the home from top to bottom, inside and out. This is another highlight—seeing your home completed and your dream turned to a reality. The purpose of the walk-through, or pre-delivery inspection as it is known in some areas, is to verify that everything has been done according to plan. Anything outstanding will be noted and completed before or right after move-in. The builder will also explain the operation and maintenance of the systems and products used in your home.



• After-sales service. The customer experience doesn’t stop when you move into your home. Expect to hear from your builder from time to time, checking to see how you are enjoying your new home, or reminding you of milestones in your warranty coverage. Some will also ask you to complete a customer satisfaction survey to get your opinions on your home and the buying experience—crucial feedback that will allow the builder to keep improving their products and their services.

New Homes Month is sponsored by TD Canada Trust, Genworth Financial Canada and the Canadian Home Warranty Council.