North Little Rock building guide
Building in North Little Rock
North Little Rock sits across the Arkansas River from Little Rock, with neighborhoods that range from Park Hill, built from the 1920s on ridges above the river valley, to Lakewood and newer subdivisions further north. Many projects here add a garage, shop or barn to a lot that already has a house on it. This guide covers fitting a building onto an established lot and what a good construction contract should spell out.
Adding a building to a lot you already live on
On an established lot, getting equipment in is often the hardest part. Ask how the builder will reach the site with a concrete truck, a lift or a delivery of trusses or steel, and what happens to the lawn, driveway, fence and trees along the way. Mature trees near the building can be damaged by digging around their roots, and overhanging limbs can drop on a metal roof.
Think about how the new building will look next to the house. Matching the roof pitch, trim color or wainscot can make a detached garage look planned rather than added. Find out where water, sewer, gas and power lines run before you pick a spot, and call 811 before anyone digs.
What the contract should spell out
A written contract protects both you and the builder. It should include drawings or a clear description of the building, the exact size, door and window schedule, foundation, insulation and finish level, and what's excluded. It should say who is responsible for site preparation, permits, utility hookups and cleanup.
Look at the payment schedule. Payments tied to completed stages, such as the slab, the frame and the finished building, are easier to track than payments by date. Be cautious of a large payment before any work starts, and ask what a deposit covers, such as ordering materials.
Changes are common once a project starts. Agree that any change in scope or price will be written down and signed before the work is done.
Warranties and after the job
There are usually two kinds of warranty. The builder's covers workmanship, such as leaks, doors that don't close and trim that comes loose. Manufacturers' warranties cover materials like metal panels and their paint finish. Ask for both in writing, how long each lasts and what voids them.
Ask who you call if something goes wrong a year later, and whether the builder will come back for small adjustments after the first season.
Builders serving North Little Rock
Verified builders serving North Little Rock include custom home builders from Little Rock, Cabot and Benton, a Vilonia general contractor that builds barndominiums and steel buildings, a Benton shop builder, and post-frame companies including a national builder's office in Mayflower. Low ground near the river has a long history of flooding, so check current requirements and flood maps for your parcel before you design.
Before you sign, check license status with the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board and ask for a recent customer you can talk to.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Arkansas: North Little Rock (Pulaski County), Arkansas 811 (call before you dig), FEMA Flood Map Service Center, Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board