Contractors would have to dig until they reached solid ground. But builders had faced such challenges in the neighborhood before. One housing lot sits where a lake used to be. Others are partly in floodplains. In all cases, Hopkins says, contractors were able to create good lots and solidly built houses.
Speedy work wins rewards Many builders are pressing forward despite the land and labor crunches.
The average time for building a new house ranges from three to six months, depending on the company and the time of year. Bill Bondurant, an area production manager for Squires in Charlotte, says that although the company's first concern is quality, the business demands speed. Most superintendents can earn bonuses based, in part, on how quickly they build houses. Builders contend they try hard to address most problems. Most of the larger companies have separate warranty departments that respond to customer complaints.