Choosing Your Builder

Choosing the right builder is a big part of getting the home you want.  Considerations like cost, location, and availability will play a role in your selection process, but three of the most important factors in choosing a builder are communication, experience, and reputation. 

Communication
You’ve probably thought a lot about the kind of home you want to live in — how much space you need, how you want to use each room, and what features will support your lifestyle.  Your builder’s job is to construct a home around that vision.  That’s why communication is so important; you have to be confident that your builder understands your needs and can deliver a finished product that meets them.

Of course there are limits to how much your builder can deliver within your budget and schedule, especially if you’re buying a home in a development rather than a custom home.  So your builder must be able to set clear expectations and make sure you understand what your finished home will be like. 

Experience
For obvious reasons, most people would prefer to work with a builder who’s had a lot of construction experience. That doesn’t mean you need to find a company that’s been in business for several decades.  It simply means you need someone who knows the process well enough that they can do an efficient and thorough job and won’t be caught off-guard by any issues that come up. 

If you’re looking for a general contractor to help you build a custom home, you should consider more than just their experience with building houses — you must also look at their experience with building houses like the one you want. 

Reputation
Perhaps the best indication of a builder’s quality is the endorsement of former customers.   It’s easy to find information on construction companies using the Internet, which is a good way to compile a list of candidates.  Once you have your initial list, you should:

• Check with the local builder’s association and the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints.
• Ask each builder for references, and make sure you follow up with each one about how satisfied they were with the construction process and with their finished homes. 
• Look at other homes they’ve built, if there are any in the area.