Though builders might generally use similar tools and materials when building custom home plans, not all are alike when it comes to things like technique, training and customer service. Finding the right home builder whose business approach aligns well with your personal preferences is essential to a pleasant home-building experience.
Questions for Your Home Builder
The builder will be asking you plenty of questions during your initial meeting to discuss the home you envision. But the questions you ask the builder are equally important to determine if it’s going to be a positive partnership. Consider asking the builder about the following:- Work Experience – You will want to find a home builder with extensive experience building small or large luxury homes. It is important to show the builder plans similar to the one you want. Ask to see examples of floor plans and designs they’ve done in the past. This will determine if the company can deliver what you need. You should also ask if they have or are working toward any professional designations. These show that the builder has advanced training in a particular area. A few examples of such designations include a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS), a Graduate Master Builder (CMB), and a Certified Green Professional (CGP).
- References – Any high-quality builder should be ready to provide you with several names and phone numbers of satisfied customers. If they can’t, consider that a red flag and walk away. When reaching out to those former clients, ask about how well the builder followed through on the initial plans. Also, if the builder met their expectations regarding budget and timing. Don’t forget the most telling question of them all: would they hire that builder again?
- Communication Style – Many builders will do their best to accommodate your communication preferences. But it’s always best to establish expectations as early as possible. The frequency (weekly, monthly, as-needed, etc.) and method (phone, text, email) of how you communicate early on with each other is something that will set the tone throughout the whole building process.
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