Failure to make timely decisions is the number one culprit behind schedule and cost overruns. Homeowners play a key role in preventing these problems. Some homeowners find it a challenge to make their final selection of products and materials. It’s easy to see why—with practically limitless choices in countertops, fixtures, tiles, windows, and other products, it can be difficult to settle on one model, style, or color.
How homeowners benefit from the established builder’s systems and relationships. The first question is what defines a professional builder and then it is how to find the right one. The State Nevada has a great resource for evaluating general contractors and homebuilders in Las Vegas and throughout the state. The Nevada State Contractors Board provides a wealth of information about current and past licensed contractors. It notes when a contractor became licensed and if they are still licensed. It states the construction amount limits the Board approved for each contractor, the exact trade their license covers and lists all disciplinary actions the board applied to licensed contractors.
On time, on budget, and exceeding customer expectations starts with a thorough preconstruction plan. To finish a complex project on time and within budget, the Merlin Custom Home Builders works hard to generate and convey the value of a thoughtful, thorough and well-developed preconstruction. That process can feel like a slow way to start, but the time spent upfront pays off in more ways than some homeowners realize.
Communication is important in all relationships, and your relationship with your builder is no exception. Effective communication between client and builder will reduce concerns and stress before, during, and after the building process. Here are some tips for keeping the lines of communication open at key points.
A lot of people don’t understand the sheer complexity of the builder’s job and the systems required to build a house from scratch. Many analogies have been used to describe the professional builder: the conductor of an orchestra, the captain of a ship, even a general executing a military campaign. The point is that the builder is the one who must coordinate the innumerable players and products needed to transform a set of two-dimensional drawings into a finished home. The builder has to make sure that everything happens just when it’s supposed to, and that the end result is exactly what the clients envisioned.
Strategies for getting the most from this important step The vast majority of builders are happy to provide prospective clients with a list of people for whom they have recently built homes. They encourage prospective clients to call these references and ask about their experience and level of satisfaction.
Even small changes made after work begins can have surprising effects on the budget. Here’s why. Minimizing change orders is one of the most effective things homeowners can do to control costs. The reason is that seemingly small changes can have cost impacts beyond the builder’s control—costs that ultimately are borne by the customer.
A well-defined process can make bidding more accurate and productive. Homeowners see the competitive bidding process as a way to get the most value for their money. But it doesn't always work that way. Bids are only useful if they come from comparable companies, and if they are structured so that they can be accurately compared. Most owners, and even some architects, don't do a good job at this.
Steve, Bart and the Merlin Custom Home Builders team understand that building a new home is one of the most important investments a family will make. In many cases it represents the single largest financial investment. The home is designed and built to provide years of pleasure, comfort, and security. It is the physical manifestation of "family" and the place where celebration and joy are expressed and experienced.
reception@merlincontracting.com
6408 S. Arville Street
Las Vegas, NV 89118
Office Hours:
Monday- Thursday 7:30am – 4:30pm
Friday 7:30am – 1:30pm
Unlimited, Full-B category General Contractor’s License #43785 from the Nevada State Contractor’s Board
Copyright © 2026 Merlin Custom Home Builders | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
