Read time ~5 minutes
Building a custom home has always been a dream of yours. Maybe you’ve already started your research and sketched out some plans, maybe it’s still a “one day” dream or maybe you’ve already bought the champagne for your first dinner party.
Wherever you’re at in the process, you deserve the best experience.
But before you pop the bubbly, you need to find a custom home builder to make your dream a reality. To choose the right builder for you, you need to know what to look for. But where do you start?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Before you begin your search, know what you need.
Just like you wouldn’t buy a house sight unseen, you wouldn’t look for a custom home builder without first knowing what you need.
Once you know what your budget is, have a general sense of of the home you want, your non-negotiables, what’s important to you and what you want your experience to look like, it will be easier to find a custom home builder who fits your needs expectations, and understands your vision.
There are a lot of great qualities to look for in your builder. We came up with 5 to get you started with your search:
1. First, they listen.
Starting the process of building your custom home can be overwhelming, which is why it’s necessary to have a builder who listens to what you need and what you’re looking for before jumping in with the solution.
Great builders will evaluate your needs, your budget, and your values and align their solution with your best interest in mind.
After they listen long and hard, they might lay out what the most expensive elements of the design would be, what would be tricky to do and give you a rough figure of what the build would cost.
2. They pay close attention to detail.
There are a million details that go into building a custom home.
You need a builder with a well-established process who will walk you through these details and give you the confidence that your home will be built with taste and quality. Luxurious details that are carried out with intention will bring out your home’s unique charm and elegance.
You want a builder who will handle every detail of your home like it’s their home.
3. They are trustworthy.
The best way to find out if your custom builder is trustworthy is to talk to them and trust your instincts.
Here are some questions you could ask them:
How many years have you been in business and how many homes have you built?
How closely do you work with my architect and interior designer?
Can you go into depth with how you approach the estimating process?
Do you only build from existing floor plans or can I bring my own plans?
What kind of new home warranty do you offer?
Who will be overseeing the construction of my home? How can I contact them?
How will you approach questions and concerns that come up throughout the process?
Can I check out a current project you’re working on?
Once you trust and respect your builder to do the job well, you can be sure that they’ll get the job done exactly how you want it.
4. They have a strong reputation.
To get a pulse on your builder’s reputation, start with online reviews. Ask them to introduce you to past clients. You can even request to visit a finished home, ideally one that’s been finished for 1+ years.
When you visit a finished home, pay close attention to the workmanship and the materials they used. Are the design features attractive? Did they use quality materials?
You want a builder with a strong reputation of being hands-on, intelligent and thoughtful. Good builders will be incredibly organized and won’t cut corners. In your search for a reputable builder, don’t just look for great builders, but quality humans.
5. They keep you involved in the building process.
A good builder will keep the communication transparent throughout the entire process. Once you contact them initially, you’ll be able to get an immediate feel for their communication style.
Good builders set up meetings regularly to set clear expectations and make sure you both stay on the same page. You’ll want to know if the project gets delayed and why. A good builder will discuss challenges with the builder, offer modifications and tell you the plan moving forward.
And when it’s done? A good builder makes sure you’re satisfied. They won’t throw you the keys and run, but they’ll finish the job with class, do a final walk-through and make sure you’re 100% satisfied with your home.
Chances are if your builder listens well, pays close attention to detail, is trustworthy and has a strong reputation, they’ll keep you involved in the building process because it’s evident that they care about your needs.
In your search, don’t just look for the best price. Look for compatibility and these 5 qualities in your candidates. And remember, building your dream home should be an incredible and rewarding experience. At Mark Scott Homes, we don’t want you to settle for anything less!