Home Building FAQ

What if my Homeowners Association (HOA) has specific requirements about exterior specifications of my home?

You are responsible for understanding the requirements made by your HOA. If you are required to include a feature not standard in our houses, we will gladly price it out for you. You will need to present the plans and specifications to the association for approval.

How long will it take my building plans to be completed by the architect?

You will have 2 opportunities to make structural changes to your house. The 1st opportunity is with the preliminary plans. It typically takes 4-8 weeks to complete the preliminary plans. The level of changes you make to your plans and the architect's schedule will determine the time it takes to complete. After you have had an opportunity to review the preliminary set, you will then order your final building set. This typically takes 2-4 weeks. Again, this timeframe is driven by the level of changes you wish to make at this stage and the architect's schedule. If you are building a completely customized home, the plans will take longer than the time frames mentioned.

Will NDI Homes of Maryland manage my site work for me?

YES! NDI Homes of Maryland will manage your site work! We can offer this as an addendum item for a flat fee. Our current INTRODUCTORY fee is only $7,500. This fee covers NDI Homes of Maryland managing your site work, you are still responsible for the actual site work cost, but you won't need to hassle with the hiring and follow up on the engineering, utility hook-up, site clearing, well/septic installations or water/sewer hook-up, construction driveway and silt fence installation, permit running, etc.

Do I need to use the subcontractors given to me by NDI Homes of Maryland?

NO. You are free to hire whomever you please to conduct this work for you. We offer a list of subs that have performed well for previous customers.

Can NDI MD Homes help me negotiate with my subcontractors on their fees?

Although we cannot help negotiate contracts between you and your subcontractor, we can advise you to get at least 3 quotes per job in order to get an accurate idea of what the work will cost.

When do I need to coordinate the installation of my utilities?

Start this process as soon as your building permit is approved. Begin to contact your local utility companies and make an application - you MUST have your electric service application (load letter) available at your Pre-Construction meeting. There is technical information that we will fill out for you. You should also start interviewing the subcontractors that you will need to perform your site work, a list of the sub contractors you plan on using is due prior to scheduling your Pre-Construction meeting.

How long will it take to get my building permit?

This can take 4 weeks or longer depending on the county. Ask your Design and Sales Associate at NDI what the current turn around times are for the county your property is in.

If the county I am building in does not require a grading plan, do I have to provide one to NDI MD Homes?

Yes. This is very important to us because we rely on this information to correctly install your foundation. We do not employ engineers on our staff so it is impossible for us to determine where the house should be sited on your lot. Having a site/grading plan completed by a certified engineer or surveyor will also give you the peace of mind that someone is taking responsibility for this most important information.

What if my building plans are rejected by the county?

There are times when the county plan reviewer has a specific question for the architect regarding the building plans. They will require that the architect address this issue prior to approving your building permit. If this should happen, fax the reviewer's notes to 443-782-0425 or bring them to our corporate office and we will address the issue immediately. We will instruct you if we need the actual building plans in order to address the reviewer's questions or requirements.

When do I need to turn in my cut sheet?

The cut sheet (supplied by your engineer) is required before the Pre-Construction meeting is scheduled.

When will the building of my house start?

You can expect to see work on your lot commence approximately 30 days after your Pre-Construction meeting.

What happens if my engineer calls for a basement cut deeper than 6 feet?

If the excavator must dig deeper than the typical depth (less than 6 feet), there will be an additional charge to the customer at the rate of $100 per foot. This is a direct charge from the excavator.

What happens if an unusual site condition is discovered upon excavation?

You will be notified by the Front End Superintendent about any problems. He will instruct you on whom to contact for the next step. Many times, problem soils require special instructions from the county inspector (i.e., spread the footers, additional reinforcements, etc...).

What do I do with the load letter from the power company and the gas company?

Fax it to 443-782-0425. We will fill it out and fax it to the appropriate utility company. Please be sure to include the name of your contact person.

Do I need to coordinate the county inspections?

Your Site Supervisor will call in the county required inspections once construction begins. If your county requires a "site inspection" prior to excavation, this is your responsibility to schedule. This inspection by the county is to make certain your site is ready for construction per your site plan (i.e., construction driveway, silt fence installed, etc.).

Does NDI MD Homes of Maryland provide and install a house wrap (like Tyvek)?

NDI MD Homes of Maryland does not use a house wrap. All of our homes include windows with Low E glass and an Energy Seal Package in which all exterior walls and windows are sealed from the outside. These standard features have proven to add to the energy efficiency of the house. Although house wraps seem to be the newest fad in building products, we feel our standard features offer adequate insulation for the house. If you would like to add a house wrap to your home, contact your salesperson for pricing and more information.

What does it mean to install and maintain the construction entrance?

You are responsible for maintaining access to your lot and house. A construction driveway will need to be installed from the street up to your garage and maintained throughout the entire building process. Adequate stone must be down at all times in order for the subcontractors, suppliers, and county inspectors to access your house. Unfortunately, there are times when the drive may be damaged due to weather and weight of heavy trucks. While this can't always be prevented, the risk can be minimized by maintaining adequate stone. You are ultimately responsible for the repair of your driveway. We cannot guarantee driveways, sidewalks, culverts, etc... will not be damaged during the process. If a subcontractor or supplier must use other means to deliver materials or perform their work due to site conditions, additional costs will be the responsibility of the homeowner. Such conditions might be low hanging power lines, wet soil conditions, tight lots (which do not allow for the equipment to pass), etc.

What if my silt fence is damaged during the process?

Like damage to the construction entrance, the silt fence may also experience some wear and tear. It must be maintained as dictated by the county on your site plan. If it is damaged, you will need to have it repaired.

What happens if a concrete pump is required?

If the concrete truck cannot pour from the truck, a concrete pump will have to be used. These costs are considered an unusual site condition and will be passed on to the homeowner. We know that we will need at least one concrete pump - this one comes standard in the base price of your home.

What do I do if I get water in my basement during construction?

If you get water in the basement, it must be pumped out prior to continuing progress. You may pump the water out yourself or we can pump it out for you for a fee.

If I do get water in my basement, will it damage any of the materials or fixtures?

As long as the drywall has not been installed, there is very little damage water will do. Many people express concern if water touches the HVAC unit which sits on the basement floor. This unit should not sustain any damage by a flooded basement.

Can NDI MD Homes put the progress of my house on hold?

NDI MD Homes reserves the right to stop production on your home if the utilities are not installed by the time the cabinets are installed and/or the site does not have adequate access. The reason for this is due to the fact that there is very little the trades can do without utilities in the finishing stages. In addition, there must always be adequate access to the site so that the subcontractors and suppliers can perform their duties. If you are finishing space in the basement, we also reserve the right to stop work if power is not installed by the drywall stage. It is critical to have power to run the sump pump in order to keep water and moisture out of the basement and away from building materials.

Can I still make changes after my home has been started?

Maintaining the specifications and plans approved at the Pre-Construction table is very important to the process, but we do understand that some people may feel compelled to make changes after the the Pre-Construction meeting. Refer to your contract for the fees and procedures associated with these changes. Please note: NDI MD Homes can refuse to make requested changes at any time during the process and any change, be it an addition or deletion, will incur a fee and a delay in the construction process. Work will not be performed until the signed change order and money is received.

Who do I call if I see something wrong in my house?

Sometimes work may appear wrong when it is simply incomplete. Please take advantage of the 5 scheduled on-site meetings with your Site Superintendent to discuss your concerns. If it is indeed incorrect, NDI Homes of Maryland will fix it. We are committed to completing your home to the specifications and plans you agreed to. If you feel something is an emergency and cannot wait until your next scheduled meeting, please call 800-892-1454 for immediate assistance.

When an error is noted, when will it be addressed?

If you point out a concern to the Site Superintendent and the correction does not occur immediately, don't be alarmed. A broken window needs to be reordered, delivered and re-installed and can take several weeks or longer. If a trade missed something in the rough-in stage, he will not come back to address it until the final stage. Addressing the issue right away is possible but the additional costs of the extra visits add up and are unnecessary.

Why isn't anyone working on my house?

You will often see many people working on your home at one time and then you may see periods with no significant change. It is important to understand the many reasons why this may occur. Weather delays often stop work throughout the stages of construction. Weather conditions can dictate the work that can be completed. Pace of work can also have an impact. Sometimes a trade finishes their work ahead of schedule. Often the next trade is scheduled at an assigned time and the schedule cannot be adjusted in such short notice. If we are waiting for an inspection, the house will often sit because the next phase of work cannot begin until the inspection on the last phase is passed.

When will my house be complete?

NDI Homes of Maryland has contracted with you to build your home in 180 business days. Because there are so many factors beyond our control, we cannot determine a move-in date until the cabinet walk and all utilities are installed. If your house goes on hold due to not having utilities installed on time, you can expect your house to be completed approximately 45 days from the day the utilities are confirmed to be functional. This schedule is often subject to unusual conditions beyond our control.

What is the Occupancy Permit or Certificate of Occupancy?

The Occupancy permit (OP) is granted after all of the building inspections have been approved by the county. The house and the site must be completed prior to this approval. Check with the county for OP requirements.

What if my site plan indicates a paved driveway, do I have to have my driveway paved in order to get my Occupancy Permit?

Typically the county will want your site to mirror what is reflected on the site plan. Check with the county for their requirements.

When will my final orientation walk be scheduled?

We will conduct the final walk approximately 30 days after the utilities are in and the cabinets are installed. If your house goes on hold due to not having utilities installed on time, the final walk will be scheduled 45 days from the day the utilities are confirmed to be functional. This schedule is often subject to unusual conditions beyond our control.

Who will conduct the final orientation walk?

We care about the home we have built for you and we want to be held accountable for our work. Our Operations Manager conducts a thorough final quality control walk. The final orientation walk and the subsequent 30- day and 11-month warranty-term walks will be conducted by a third party inspector from Critical Path Construction.

When will my home be turned over to me?

After the final orientation walk has been completed, NDI Homes of Maryland has five (5) days to address any items documented at the time of the final walk. The OP and the final money must be received by NDI MD Homes prior to settlement. Once these have been received, call Marilynn German at 800-892-1454 to schedule your meeting to receive your new home keys. Marilynn will meet you at your new home to discuss warrenties and to ensure the keys work correctly. You may not move into your NDI Homes of Maryland house until the monies due to NDI Homes of Maryland have been paid/transfered.

Who do I call if I have a warranty claim during the first year after I move into my NDI MD Homes home?

Call NDI Homes of Maryland at 1-800-892-1454 our Operations Manager, Marilyn German will work with you to fix the problem.

What if I sell my home during the first year?

The ten year structural warranty and the 2-year mechanical warranty will transfer to the new home owner. The 30-day and 11-month walk-through will NOT transfer to the new home owner. Please pass on the contact information of the mechanical trades who did the work on your house to the new owner. They will need to contact the trades directly if there is an issue. NDI Homes of Maryland will not be responsible for any cosmetic or other defects if you sell your home during the first year.