A home is hands down the biggest investment you’ll ever make! Building a custom home can be an incredibly exciting experience, but it’s also a big decision. You want to make sure you choose the right builder who will help you create the home of your dreams. But how do you know which builder is right for you? There are so many builders out there, and they all promise to be the best. How can you trust that you’re making the right decision? Choosing the right custom home builder is essential to having a successful custom home build. We understand how difficult this process can be, so we’ve put together a guide on how to choose the right builder for your custom home. Our guide will help you ask the right questions and make an informed decision.
Don’t Make Your Decision Based on Price
You may be tempted to lead with price when choosing a custom home builder, but this can often backfire. Choosing the right custom home builder is incredibly important. This is someone who will be helping you realize your dream of homeownership, so it’s crucial to get it right. Price and staying on budget is definitely important, but it’s not the only factor you should consider when choosing a custom home builder. Especially when it comes to custom builds, the overall construction cost will develop over several meetings and design decisions. There are so many factors that go into the price that it’s best not to make it your primary focus when choosing a custom home builder. If you make a choice simply based on a cheaper price, you might be compromising on quality, among other things. Look for a home builder who will respect your budget and balance your needs while being honest with you.
Determine Your Expectations for the Custom Home Building Experience
Before you even begin researching, start thinking about the level of involvement you want to have throughout the home building project. Are you someone who’s laid back and wants the builder to handle everything from start to finish? Or do you want to be completely involved and in the loop throughout the whole process? Once you’ve figured out which is best for you, make sure to relay this to all the home builders you interview and listen to their responses. If you know your expectations for the home building experience, this will make choosing the right contractor a lot easier, as they will be able to tell you if they’re willing to accommodate your needs/wants.
Do Your Homework
Researching different home builders you might have in mind is extremely important. You want to choose a home builder that is experienced, reputable, and trustworthy. A good place to start is looking up a few different companies and reading their online reviews. This will give you an idea of the level of customer satisfaction the company offers and will give you an idea of what you can expect. With this in mind, it’s important to use critical thinking when reading reviews. Make sure you closely read all positive and negative reviews as well as read the builders’ responses. Try to find out as much as you can about the companies you’re considering. Some information includes:
- Number of years in business
- Customer satisfaction ratings
- Try to find a portfolio of previous work on their website
- What is their mission statement? (What does the company stand for?)
The more research you can do, the more confident you’ll be!
Interview at Least 2-3 Builders
Don’t be afraid to interview more than one custom home builder! You want to make sure you choose the right one for you, and a great way to ensure you’re making the right choice is by meeting and talking to a few different candidates!
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Your home builder wants you to be happy with your new home, and they’re more than happy to answer any questions you have. This is especially important in the interview stage. You don’t want to be left with unanswered questions. Asking all the questions you might have will give you and your builder the confidence to move forward with your project.
*Interview Question Suggestion: What type of home builds are you used to working on? Do you usually do cookie-cutter designs with standard features, traditional style, or can you accommodate my personal style into my custom design?
Request References
It can be hard to know who to trust when it comes time to build your dream home. You want to make sure that you’re working with a quality custom home builder who will stand by their work. Ask prospective builders for references. Most quality custom home builders will have a proven track record of quality work and satisfied customers who are willing to vouch for them!
Envision Compatibility
The Builder you hire will be in charge of bringing your dream home to life. You want to make sure that you like the company/builder because you will be trusting them with your home! You want to hire someone with good communication skills, someone who is responsive, cares about your wants and needs, and is someone you can trust.
Call Star Builders!
For over ten years, we have been building extraordinary beautiful homes and establishing long-lasting relationships with all of our clients through courtesy, honesty, and fairness. Star Builders, LLC, appreciates that the joy of a custom home is in its uniqueness. As remodeling contractors, we see the fallout of purchasing a house that only meets a fraction of the buyer’s goals. Over the years, Star Builders, LLC has developed a reputation for quality. And our long list of awards and happy clients attest to that claim. When we start a home-building project, we bring the right people to the table, leave no questions unanswered, and take the time to maintain clear communication throughout the project. For Salem residents looking for a quality home building experience and a quality home, choose Star Builders, LLC. Call us today!