A new home is probably the largest investment you will make in your lifetime. Before you hire a builder in Lawton ask them the following 10 questions to make sure they pass the test:
1. Have you been building homes in Lawton for at least 10 years?
Many builders come and go. Ron Nance has been building homes in Lawton since 1985 and a part of the Lawton real estate community for 40 years. The Nance family is here to stay in the Lawton home building industry.
2. Are you a Certified Professional Builder in the State of Oklahoma?
The state of Oklahoma requires no licensing for builders. This means that anyone can call himself a builder and not be held liable if something goes wrong. For this reason, the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association created the Certified Professional Builder Program to help consumers know who the reputable builders are. A builder must meet certain criteria and educational requirements each year to hold this designation. Many people present themselves as qualified builders, but they are not. Check with the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association for a list of Certified Professional Builders. Ron Nance is a Certified Professional Builder you can count on.
3. Do you advertise your own work and guarantee what I will receive?
Some builders use stock photos of other builder’s homes. These photos are misleading and do not adequately represent what the buyer will get for their money. This creates further problems if the builder does not give you a guaranteed price upfront. You may end up spending much more than you expect to get what you want. All photos advertised by The Oaks Development Company are photos of our own original custom designed homes and your total investment will be agreed upon upfront with a clear understanding of what you will receive.
4. Are the homes your build INSIDE or OUTSIDE the city limits of Lawton?
This is important. No building codes are enforced outside the city limits. When someone wants to build a home, but does not want to comply with the strict building codes and multi point inspections enforced by the city of Lawton, they build outside the city limits. Easy for the builder, bad for the buyer. Ask the builder if their development is located INSIDE the city limits and if it’s not, beware. All homes built by The Oaks Development Company are in a quiet, serene location INSIDE the city limits.
5. What areas do you build?
If they build in several different areas, chances are your job will not receive their full attention and may likely experience mistakes and delays. We only build in The Oaks, located at 67th Street and Bishop Rd. This ensures we can give our full attention to your project, supervising every detail along the way. We also live here and enjoy serving our neighbors.
6. Are you an active member of the Southwest Oklahoma Home Builders Association and an active resident in the Lawton Fort Sill community?
Some out of town builders come and go with no real ties to the Lawton community or concern for the quality of homes they leave behind. Ron Nance was born and raised in Lawton. He has served as President of the Southwest Oklahoma Home Builders Association and is currently serving as a board member. Nance has been respected in the Lawton business community for over three decades, has served as a Lawton City Councilman and is currently serving on the Lawton Economic Development Authority.
7. Are you a Certified Aging in Place Specialist?
If you are like the majority of Americans over 45, you want to continue living in a familiar environment throughout your maturing years. A Certified Aging in Place Specialist is trained in building homes to meet the unique needs of homeowners so they can remain in their home comfortably as they age. Ron Nance is the only Certified Aging in Place Specialist in Comanche County making him the expert on building a home that will last a lifetime.
8. Do you have a business website and physical office location?
A professional company will have a website giving you information about their company and a physical office location where you can find them. If they cannot answer yes to these items, then they may be working out of the back of their truck and you may never see them again after the sale.
9. Can you give me a list of references?
At The Oaks Development Company we would be happy to give you a list of testimonials and contact information of previous customers who would be happy to share their experience with you.
10. Have you or your company been featured on any national media outlets?
Ron Nance has been featured on several national media outlets including ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition when he built a home for Sgt. Gene Westbrook and his Family. Nance was selected by the producers of the show as the most reputable and qualified builder in Lawton for the high profile and demanding project.
Since Oklahoma has no builder licensing, it is crucial to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable professional who is qualified to understand the science of building a home in the unique climate and soil conditions of Southwest Oklahoma. If the “builder” doesn’t pass the test then its time to pass them by! We would be happy to walk you through some of our new homes and show you how easy the process of custom building can be with a Certified Professional Builder you can rely on. Call The Oaks Development today at (580) 917-2706 to set up a complimentary showing and consultation!
