Discouraged about high price quotes to build your dream home? Are you having difficulty securing a building lot or construction financing? Are you able to afford a newly built home, but don’t have all the money you need for a down payment? How would you like to save money on the construction cost of your new home, or build more home than you “think” you can afford?

If this describes you, then it is time that you take a look at the Barden Homes® “Owner Participation Program” and let Barden Homes® help you make your dream home a reality – Barden: “BETTER, FASTER, SMARTER.”

Want to learn more? Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Barden Homes® and the “Owner Participation Program”

Q. What is Barden Homes®?
A. The Barden & Robeson Corporation is the largest family owned manufacturer of precision-designed construction materials in the east, producing quality materials for residential, commercial and religious buildings since 1948. Barden provides design services, a wide selection of premier materials, and manufactures wall panels and trusses in its facilities. In 2004, Barden opened a new, state of the art factory in central New York, and added additional capacity in its existing plant in western New York.

Q. Can I help design my own Home?
A. Absolutely. Unlike other panel manufacturers that limit you to a few designs and fewer optional choices, Barden Homes® allows you to design a home to fit your specific needs. Whether you select a standard design, modify an existing design, or work with the drafting department through your Independent Barden Dealer to create an original masterpiece of your own, Barden lets you help design your new home, while at the same time making sure that local codes are adhered to.

Q. How does the “Owner Participation Program” work?
A. Traditional new construction uses a “General Contractor” (GC). A GC will typically charge you for his time, and then also mark up the costs quoted to him by his subcontractors. You have little or no say in the selection of these subcontractors. The Owner Participation Program, however, lets you act as your own general contractor, purchasing the Barden Homes® material package direct from Barden and pay subcontractors without the GC markup. All of this lets you save money. Barden has made arrangements with Robar General Funding Corporation, an independent stockholder corporation headquartered in New York State, to provide construction financing* and offer permanent financing to qualified buyers.**

Q. How do I find a subcontractor to construct my Barden Home®?
A. Your local Independent Barden Dealer is familiar with the subcontractors in your area, and can make recommendations to you. In addition, you may select subcontractors that you are familiar with. Either way, you are the person selecting who will do the work, as opposed to a GC telling you who they are hiring. You can decide which is the best way to finish your new home.

Q. Can I do any of the work myself?
A. Yes! The “Owner Participation Program” lets you decide how much, or how little, you want to contribute to the construction process. Regardless of whether you do most of the work, some of the work, or virtually none at all; the choice is yours. Many people are able to reduce costs by doing painting, insulation, or similar tasks, often building enough “sweat equity” into the house to satisfy down payment requirements, or to avoid having to pay PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance). This can reduce your monthly mortgage payment.

Q. What about obtaining building permits, project supervision and subcontractor scheduling?
A. Your Local Independent Barden Dealer is available to assist you in such things as obtaining building permits, project coordination, validating material deliveries, worker scheduling, quality control, local inspections or obtaining the certificate of occupancy. Your Independent Dealer is knowledgeable about the Barden process, and how to keep your costs down during the construction period. Alternatively, you could also choose to have limited involvement in the construction process. The Owner Participation Program lets you decide the method that fits your needs best.

Q. I can’t wait to get started! What’s the next step?
A. Contact us at 1-800-945-9400 or 1-800-724-0141 for a free informational brochure, or to schedule a meeting with your local Independent Barden Dealer. Your local Dealer will be able to show you the hundreds of Barden standard plans and assist you through an initial design discussion. After you are pre-qualified (so that you know how much house you can afford) and have outlined your design ideas, a deposit of $250.00 to $2,500.00 (depending on size of home) lets you start the design phase, so that you can build your new Barden Homes® house. Barden - better, faster, smarter.

* Construction financing is not available in all states. Contact your local Independent Barden Dealer to find out if this alternative is available in your state.

** Construction and/or permanent financing is available only to qualified buyers. Representatives of Robar are knowledgeable about the process of financing new home construction. Other mortgage brokers are commonly not knowledgeable about the Barden process, construction lending (as opposed to normal purchase and sale of an existing house), or how to keep the loan available to you during the construction process. A normal mortgage broker may not be able to qualify you for a construction/end loan, because their lenders do not provide this, or because the mortgage broker has little or no skill in this type of project. Robar does not have these limitations. Permanent financing is arranged through third party lenders. Contact your local Independent Barden Dealer for information on how to contact Robar for additional information.