Questions to ask when choosing your builder....

When selecting a builder ask if they are a registered builder with the local home builders association. Then call the home builders association to see if they are in good standing.

Registered builder, Keith Bratcher, has been a member of the Lincoln Trail Home Builders Association since 1988. He was also one of the first 10 registered builders in the Lincoln Trail Home Builders 5-county area.

Please contact Melissa Hardin at the Lincoln Trail Home Builders office at 270-234-1706 to confirm Keith's current status.

Ask where they get their construction loans and then call the local lending institutions. Find out if they pay in a timely manner. Also, ask the sub contractors if the builder pays them promptly.

Bratcher Construction Co, Inc. works with various banking institutions. Please contact our office at 270-259-2200 for contact information.

Other contacts (contractors and suppliers) you may consider calling for a reference include:

Future Designs Lumber Supplies            270-259-9311

IMI Concrete Supplies                          270-259-6728

Fleener's Home Planning and Flooring    270-259-3271

D& C Noblett Dozing (excavating)        270-230-6550

Ask them to give you names of customers that they have built for in the past and call them.

Bratcher Construction Co. has a list of references that we would be happy to provide you by mail, e-mail, or fax. Please contact the office for a list of references that fits your particular needs.

    Are the homes constructed of quality materials?

    What about the workmanship?

Ask the builder where he/she is building in other areas and visit sites where homes are in various stages of construction.

Bratcher Construction Co, Inc. would be more than happy to show you the homes that we are currently constructing. We want you to see our quality for yourself. Contact our office at 270-259-2200 to arrange a personal tour with Keith Bratcher through any of our homes.

    During the plans and contract stage, do you work with the builder during the actual construction?

    Will you see the builder and superintendent on the job site?

    Who is monitoring subs to make sure they are doing quality work?

    What about problems--will you be able to contact the builder?

Knowing with whom you are going to work is important. Contact former customers, and ask these questions before you sign a contract. It's frustrating to talk to a middleman all the time. Sometimes you want to talk directly to the expert.

As a customer of Bratcher Construction, you will work directly with Keith Bratcher. From start to finish he will be hands-on with every facet of the home building process. On-site walk-throughs with Keith are also held throughout the construction process to allow input from the customer.

    Will the builder work with vendors other than their own?

Ask who the typical vendors are and then contact those vendors to see what you can purchase for that particular allowance. If the allowance is not adequate, discuss it with the builder. Be specific with the builder in your initial meetings, then he can figure the bid properly.

Bratcher Construction Co., Inc. prides itself on including generous allowances for its customers. We even go so far as to have the customers determine some allowances before the final bid is figured. Bratcher Construction has and will continue to work with other vendors at a customer's request. We welcome the opportunity to work with those vendors.

Bratcher Construction Co. has, on occasion, paid customers at the closing because they had not depleted their allowances.

    What insurance policies do you carry?

They are required to carry workers compensation and general liability insurance.

Bratcher Construction Co. has policies with Shelter Insurance. Our agent, Anna Edwards, can be reached at 270-259-4488. Also, our worker's comp. insurance is with Curneal &Hignite Insurance. (270-737-2828)

We have the following policies in effect at all times:

• Comprehensive General Liability
• Umbrella (Excess Liability)
• Workers Compensation
• Auto Coverage

Because the customer owns the property, a builders risk policy covering fire, wind, theft, etc. is maintained by the customer throughout the entire process.

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1,300 sq. ft. homes and above

2,100 sq. foot homes and above

3,000 sq. ft. homes and above

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