Tips on How to Choose a Builder
Your home is likely one of the largest financial investments you’ll ever make. If you’re building your house from the ground up, let’s face it, there isn’t a lot of information out there on how to choose a builder that is a great fit to build a safe, comfortable home for you and your family. How in the world do you choose the right builder to make sure your project is a success?
Think of your builder as a TRUSTED GUIDE in this process. You should feel very comfortable with this person and their team. Make sure you build time into your home-building process to do adequate due diligence so issues can be avoided, your time and money are respected, and your build is a fun, rewarding experience.
Here are some key tips on how to vet builders so you find one who is the perfect fit.
Focus on your desired OUTCOME.
Before meeting with any builders, really think through your goals and decide what is important to you. Build lists of your must-have, nice-to-have, and optional features. Get clear on your desired timeline.
You should feel comfortable enough with your builder to fully disclose all the details of your goals and budget. The more transparent you can be, the more likely you are to create an open, honest relationship with your builder.
Look for the right FIT.
Adjacent to constructing a home, you will also be constructing a relationship with your builder.
Important questions to ask yourself as you interview builders are:
Does our communication feel natural?
Is the builder easy to communicate with?
How responsive are they?
How enthusiastic are they about my project?
Do I enjoy being around them?
Do I trust them?
Do I sense any red flags?
Listen to your gut instinct or intuition. These simple criteria cannot be overemphasized.
Look for CONGRUENCY.
Does the builder walk their talk? Do their actions match their words? Ask yourself these important questions:
What is the builder’s online presence like? Does it enhance their reputation?
Does what they say align with their website and their portfolio?
What do their references and reviews say about them?
What do their contracts and documents say about how professional they are?
Do they show that they are detail-oriented and organized?
Are they clean and presentable?
Are their vehicles in disrepair?
There should be consistency around the builder’s branding, reputation, professionalism, appearance, and team management. If things don’t appear to line up, don’t hesitate to ask about the inconsistency.
Ask QUESTIONS.
And then ask more questions! Here is a list of perfectly acceptable questions to ask a prospective builder:
Ask to visit one of their job sites.
Ask them to show you their window installation and waterproofing methods.
Ask them to show areas where they have exceeded expectations or gone above and beyond.
Ask if you can talk to previous clients of theirs.
Ask how they handle unforeseen challenges or setbacks during a job.
Think more about VALUE, and less about cost.
Money is what you pay, but value is what you get. Always choosing the lowest bidder doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll still get the same kind of service, professionalism, or attention to detail as if you’d chosen the highest bidder. Think about the level of product and service that you are receiving for your money. We all know the saying “You get what you pay for.” In this instance - likely one of the largest investments you’ll ever make, and your home - are you willing to potentially cut corners on service to save a bit of money? Think about the potential long-term ramifications of not choosing a builder who will give you an exceptional experience. Choose a builder who you can be entirely confident in.
Taking time to vet your potential builder list could ultimately save you tens of thousands of dollars and prevent needless stress and frustration, and it is absolutely essential to your home-building process. Your build, led by a trusted builder, should be fun, exciting, and result in the home of your dreams.