Paul Titus of Cretin Townsend Homes attributes the company’s success to one simple fact: “We care.”
“We believe that every customer should be able to build an exceptional home, at a great value, while having an awesome experience,” says Titus, sales director.
“The reason we have been able to continue to grow is because we have proven over the course of years that we do put our customers first.”
Since 1976, the company has been building custom homes throughout southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Over the course of the last year, the business determined that a second office was needed — which will open this month on West Dedeaux Road in Gulfport.
Titus says the planning stagefor a new home typically takes 60-90 days before construction begins, which lasts about six months.
“We have always embraced and used technology to make the home building process easier and more efficient,” Titus says.
When choosing a firm to build your new home, Titus recommends looking for someone who can devote the time and energy to the process that it deserves. When conducting interviews, he suggests asking questions like:
• Does the company have enough resources to handle the work they have?
• Do they have people who specialize in all the different aspects of operating a homebuilding company?
• Does the company have a way to handle warranty issues in a timely manner?
• How long has the company been around, and what is their historical performance?
The biggest mistake Titus sees some customers make is not getting a builder involved early on.
“Typically, your builder can help guide you through the design, budgeting, finance, and permitting process,” he says. “A builder will have relationships with all these different people who are needed to work together to make your dream come true.” From his experience building his own home, Titus also advises clients to determine everything they want before they start, as trying to decide on details like colors and products while a home is being built can cause unnecessary stress and delays.
Potential pitfalls aside, Titus says building your own house has several advantages over buying an existing one — primarily getting a home as unique as you are. Plus, a new build generally will be more energy-efficient and less costly to maintain due to its up-to-date materials and features.