You are about to begin the most costly venture of your life.  You are placing your current and future estate in the hands of someone you probably know very little about, with the hope you will obtain a satisfactory and satisfying conclusion to your "dream" home.

First, you will need to obtain a parcel of land suitable for your building needs.   NCA is a fully licensed real estate firm and the only real estate firm on Martha's Vineyard that specializes in land acquisition.  It is also important that you choose a real estate office that is familiar with new construction or renovation, as the permit process has gotten quite complicated over the past several years.  You would not want to risk purchasing a parcel of land that was unbuildable. Choosing a firm that is familiar with land values, understands correct topography for your house design, and helping you decide which Town in which you want to reside, is equally important when deciding on which parcel to purchase.

Choosing a qualified Designer and Contractor is the next step of the building process.   Referrals from your friends or acquaintances is always the best start. If this is not possible, meeting with the Contractor, preferably at a jobsite, is essential, as well as getting a reference list of current and past customers.  Also, do not hesitate to request from the Contractor various bank and/or credit references.

Choosing whether to employ a registered Architect is always a decision most perspective customers consider.  My general response is that if you can not find a Designer/Contractor individual or team you are satisfied with, hiring the services of an Architect is always an option. NCA works in association with several Architects in the event the customer prefers to proceed accordingly.  For customers where cost or time for completion is not a primary object, using an Architect can be beneficial.

The written Contract between the Owner and Contractor is of utmost important.  NCA uses a Contract that has been relied upon for over 25 years without any serious incident, is which every aspect of the construction process is detailed.  Furthermore, NCA assures that every design Plan, or other referenced documents relied upon, are attached to the Contract and reference made thereto.