Selecting the right custom home builder is a crucial step on the path to realizing your family’s dream home.
After all, building a custom home is likely the biggest investment that you’ll ever make, and picking the custom home builder who is best equipped to translate your vision into reality is one of the most important components of the entire home-building process.
With that in mind, here are nine important questions to ask any prospective home builder during your initial research process.
What is your track record of experience with similar homes?
Finding out about a custom home builder’s general experience is important, including their length of time in business and the approximate number of homes they’ve built.
However, it’s also essential to examine their specific track record building homes similar in style, size and price point as the home you’re looking to build. Ask to review their portfolio of completed homes to see if their past performance is in line with your desired home design.
Can you provide references from past clients?
All qualified custom home builders will be ready and willing to provide former clients to contact as references. These previous customers can supply you with key information about your prospective home builder, such as their customer service capabilities and general design process.
You may also wish to ask if the home builder can help you arrange to tour one of their homes built for a past client.
Do you provide assistance with related services, such as finding land, drafting a home plan and obtaining financing?
When you decide to go the custom home route, the actual task of home building is only part of the process. There are many other steps you must take before you can finally move into your dream home.
Other steps range from locating the perfect piece of land to securing financing from your lender. Some custom home builders can assist with these parts of the overall process, making your experience smoother and easier.
What options do you provide in regards to home plans?
Some builders only build from a selection of pre-designed plans. Others will allow you to provide your own set of home plans, while still other builders will work with you to design and develop a completely custom plan for your home.
In general, the latter approach will allow you the most freedom and maximize your chances of getting exactly what you want out of your new home.
Will I receive help in selecting my home’s fixtures and finishes?
As part of the custom home building process, you’ll be asked to make a lot of decisions about the details of your new home, from choosing the cabinets, countertops and fixtures for your kitchen to selecting the paint color for every wall in the house.
This part of the process can easily become overwhelming if you’re left to make all these choices on your own. Certain custom home builders will provide you with their expertise and work with you make these selections.
How will communication be handled throughout the design and construction process?
You’ll be working with your custom home builder for a significant amount of time, from the design phase through the actual construction stage.
A responsive and communicative builder who routinely provides updates can make this entire process much less stressful, but many homeowners deal with a frustrating lack of communication from their home builder.
Question any prospective home builder about how they plan to provide updates at various stages; asking the provided references about the builder’s communication style can also be helpful.
What steps do you take to ensure we stay within budget and on time?
Understanding the builder’s proposed timeline and budget are important; equally important is finding out what steps they take to hold themselves to these estimates, and their proposed solutions for dealing with any overages in time or money.
Who will be supervising during my home’s construction stage, including inspections and the final walk-through?
Someone must oversee and manage the construction process, but it isn’t necessarily going to be your custom home builder; he could task a superintendent with the job instead.
Keep in mind that a builder who remains highly involved in the construction of your home by visiting the site frequently–if not daily–will be able to address any problems that arise promptly.
What level of warranty is provided and how is service carried out?
Almost every custom home builder will provide some level of warranty for the home they build you. It’s one of the reasons many home buyers decide to pursue a custom home.
However, not all warranties are equal, and finding out the length and breadth of the builder’s warranty before deciding on a builder is extremely helpful. Also look into how service under the warranty will be carried out; for example, will the builder perform any warranty service directly?
