Tips for Choosing the Right Custom Builder
There’s nothing more exciting than watching your dream home take shape. If you’ve never built a custom home before you probably don’t know where to begin this daunting process. Building a custom home, whether the first time or 5th time can be an overwhelming process but if you go into the project with your homework done you’ll come out of it unscathed and with a beautiful home you and your family will enjoy for years to come.
So how do you begin building a custom home? The trick to building a custom home with as few headaches as possible is in finding the right custom home builder. There are many things to consider when choosing a home builder and these tips will help you find the perfect home builder for your custom home.
Tips for Choosing the Right Custom Builder
- Know What You Want – Before you search for a builder or a location know what kind of home you want to build. Do you want a two story or a rambler? A walk out basement or underground basement? How many bedrooms do you and your family need? What about custom amenities like a game room or service pantry? If you know what you want it will be easier to get a more accurate estimate for the cost of building your home.
- Location – Before you can choose your builder you’re going to need to know where you’re going to build your home. Many home builders will build anywhere in their region but if you want to live in a new development you’ll need to make sure you can bring in your own builder, some developments and neighborhoods are exclusive to only a few builders.
- Go on Some Home Tours – Most areas have a Parade of Homes. Many twice a year with one in the spring and one in the fall. Spend a weekend looking at these custom designed homes so you can know what is trending, what you like and what you don’t like. You can usually meet the builders at these home tours. If possible, talk to the homeowners about the building process.
- Go Online – Look for builders in your area by looking online at sites like your local home builders’ association or the National Home Builders Association. Do your due diligence and Google the names of the builders you’re interested in hiring to build your dream home. Ask for references and talk to their past clients to learn more about them.
- Check Licenses – This should go without saying but many people never check on licensing or insurance. If you’re builder isn’t licensed, has no insurance or tells you you’ll need to pull permits walk away as fast as you can. You want to work with a professional custom home builder, someone who is licensed, bonded and insured.
These are just a handful of helpful tips to finding the best custom home builder. It’s important to choose the right one for your project because you’ll spend a lot of time working with them to get your home just the way you like it. You need someone who is professional but also someone with whom you can communicate effectively. Take your time making this decision, it’s one of the most important ones you’ll make when building a custom home.
