How to find a builder? Ground up construction

[Tommy C.]

Hey BP,

I need help finding a builder for ground up construction of a 4 unit townhome development in the Detroit area. How do y’all find quality GCs that can run with ground up development from start to finish?

I have the financing side of things squared away through a private lender.

Assumptions:

- Building rate is $200 / sqft.

- Land is already purchased with the appropriate zoning and setbacks for the desired floor plate.

- City has approved preliminary designs.

Any tips, connections, or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers ✌️

[Karen Margrave]

Is there any new construction being done in the area where the land is? If so, who are the GCs that are building? What Realtors are active in the neighborhood? Ask them if they have any GC referrals. Do you have any Builder Services organizations? Sometimes you can submit your plans and have them bid. When getting bids, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Have all bid the same quality of finishes, etc. CHECK LICENSING AND REFERENCES. Go see any homes they've built, don't just rely on photos, as anyone can post photos of anything online. Look at the permit history with the Building Dept and verify they were actually contractor.  Good luck!