When it comes to choosing a new home builder to build your custom home, there are many qualities that are important to the overall success of your building project. If you don’t thoroughly research the company you are doing business with, your dream home may not materialize the way you envisioned. Finding the right home builder involves a lot of planning and consideration. Building a custom home is an investment in your family and your future, so it definitely pays to find the right contractor for your needs. The following tips can help you find the builder perfect for you.
Write down a list of potential builders in your area. Do they have a good reputation or have they won any awards or recognitions? Gather as many testimonials and feedback as you can from past customers. Word of mouth is essential when you are trying to establish the reputation of a builder. Ask questions such as service and satisfaction, workmanship, cost and timeliness.
Building your home is very personal, so it is important to find a builder that will support your new home building wants and needs. Are they a team player? Are they listening to your concepts and ideas? Does it sound like they are promising too much to be true? Ask questions and make sure you get the answers you are seeking.Ask your builder how often they will be on your job site. Be sure to verify their answer with references. If having the builder on site every day is important to you, perhaps finding a smaller builder with the hands-on personal service you seek will be a better fit for you. The average is to have a builder present on your job site 2-3 times a week.
Does your builder have experience in the town or area you are planning to build. This can be crucial to your timeframe, as well as ease of permitting and inspections. If the builder is familiar with your area, their recommendations for products and materials come from experience and can enhance the overall quality of your new custom home.
Find and visit past homes built by the company you are considering and talk to the homeowners. The best way to ensure quality control is to visit a reference’s house. When walking through a home you want to make sure you look for signs of good construction. Some things to look for include:
- Signs for roof leaks
- Check that the walls are straight
- Test windows and doors for cracks around the doorway
- Check for tight seams on countertops
- Look for cleanly detailed wood work
- Ask the homeowners what kind of insulation they went with and how costly their heating bill is
Overall you want to find a builder that is financially responsible, has high standards of quality, a good reputation and is a team player. Stonehenge Building and Development would like to be your custom home builder. Contact us today with any questions or concerns you may have about building your dream home.