WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK A POTENTIAL CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Building your dream home is an exciting adventure that can easily become a reality with the perfect custom home builder. However, choosing the right builder for the job is a crucial decision to make to ensure your vision comes to life while staying within your budget and timeline. To make the right choice, you must ask the right questions. Here are ten important questions to ask your potential custom home builder to help you find the right fit for you.
What is Your Experience and Portfolio?
You will want to find a well-versed custom home builder with ample experience. Start by asking about how long they have been building custom homes and inquire about if they have a portfolio of photos from homes they’ve built. This will help you see if they have the ability and experience needed to build the style and quality of the home you want. You need to feel confident that your builder won’t be trying something new on your project, and that they will have the right expertise to get the job done.
Are You Licensed and Insured?
You’ll need to ensure that your builder is licensed to operate in your area, as some states require custom home builders to have a license. You should also make sure that they are adequately insured. This will protect you in case of accidents or damage during construction.
Can You Provide References?
You can learn a lot about a custom home builder by hearing from past clients. Ask them for references. They may have to ask their past homeowners for permission first, but this shouldn’t be a problem for the builder to provide. Speaking to homeowners who have worked with the builder can give you valuable insight into their professionalism and work quality.
What is Your Estimating Process? How Do You Determine the Cost of My Custom Build?
This is a very important topic of discussion. You will need to make sure the builder’s estimating process is extremely thorough. Familiarize yourself with fixed-price and cost-plus contracts.
A fixed-price contract is an agreement between the builder and the home buyer with a set price for the project’s completion. The total payment amount does not depend on resources used or time expended by the contractor. This is beneficial to you because you know for sure what the end cost will be for your custom build.
A cost-plus contract is an agreement in which the home buyer agrees to cover the costs incurred by the contractor plus a fee for profit. The builder will provide an upfront estimate with detailed documentation as the project progresses. This kind of contract allows for flexibility, however, it also results in an unknown final price and the potential for disagreements in the future. Another question to add is if the builder uses subcontractors. The builder’s estimate will be based on bids from their subcontractors and vendors. Make sure they secure multiple bids from different high-quality subcontractors so their estimate is comprehensive. Make sure you ask how long it will take for them to produce an estimate. Initial estimates can take as little as a week, but a detailed budget estimate can take as long as several weeks.
Will You Work Closely With My Architect and Interior Designer?
If you are using a separate architect and interior designer, you’ll want a custom home builder who can hold a successful collaborative partnership with them. Poor communication can lead to delays in your project and unnecessary tensions.
Some builders serve as a one-stop shop when it comes to architecture and design. Here at KBUILD, our in-house design team can handle making the selections for your custom build. We can also take your project one step further with our interior design team which can finalize your space with furniture and decor.
Is My Land Ready for My Custom Build?
Where you plan to build can affect the price of your project. Some land might need to be prepared for your build, whereas other lots may already be prepared. You also need to consider water availability, septic systems, drainage, etc. in your area. Check with your builder to see if your land is ready for your project. If you don’t already have land to build on, some custom home builders can help you find a site.
Who Will Be Assigned to My Project and How Will We Communicate During the Process?
Early on in the process, the builder might not be able to tell you for sure who will be leading the construction of your project. Regardless, asking this question will give you a better idea of what their project teams look like and how heavily they are loaded up with projects at one time.
Communication is key in making sure your project is a success. Ask your custom home builder how they plan to keep you up to date on progress and any problems that arise.
What is the Estimated Timeline for My Project?
The answer to this question will vary depending on several factors. The size and the intricacy of your custom build are two factors that can greatly affect the timeline of your project. Discuss the estimated timeline for your custom-build project. Make sure it aligns with your expectations and any specific deadlines you may have. Figure out how diligent the builder’s team is about updating their schedule regularly and how well they can respond to problems before they arise.
What is Your Warranty?
Ask about warranties the builder provides for their work and materials used. A custom builder’s warranty is an agreement with the homeowner to make any repairs over a set period of time after construction is finished and you’re all moved in. Knowing if the warranty is favorable to you will help you further with your decision. A reputable builder should stand behind their craftsmanship.
What Separates You from Other Custom Home Builders?
This is an excellent question to ask if you’re looking to learn more about them as a company. This will help you learn what makes the builder unique and how that can affect your custom building experience.
What sets KBUILD apart from other builders in our community is our ability to bring exceptional results at the highest standard of work. We take pride in our craftsmanship in every facet of a project. Our talented design team works with our clients to hammer down their selections and create a complete vision of their dream concept. Then, our phenomenal craftsmen bring it to life with their own hands. We delight in the fact that we can offer a one-stop shop for our customers, from the design all the way to the last touch of paint and the last piece of furniture placed.
