10 Tips For Choosing A Builder
Considering building a new house? The first step is choosing a builder. But not just any builder will do! Finding the right builder for you and your project is the most important thing you can do for your new build home. Here are the best tips or choosing a builder when building a house!
If you’re considering building a new home, then the very first step you need to take is to start looking at builders. But actually choosing one can be difficult!
Thankfully, going through the process of talking to builders and looking at their work doesn’t meant that you’re committing to one yet. Today, we’re sharing how to take control of you new build project and find the builder that’s right for you and your home!
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In This Article
- How to find the right builder for your new build home
- Questions to ask when choosing a builder
- How to choose a builder for an extension
How to find the right builder for your new build home
1. Find out who the builders are in your area.
The first step to choosing a builder for your new home? Find out who the builders are in your area! A quick Google search is a great place to start.
Different builders range in their required starting price, square footage, and how custom you want your home built, so knowing these things up front can definitely help narrow down the list. It also helps to know what area you want to live in, as certain builders only build in certain areas!
Making a list of all of the builders in your area and writing out what you love and don’t love about each one can also help as you search for the right builder.
2. Study their previous builds.
Don’t just glance – study! Learn each builder’s style, focusing on what you like and don’t like about each one. Be critical and specific as you look into their previous work!
3. Choose a builder who’s work and style you truly love.
Most builders tend to have a style of homes that lean towards. Whether it’s Modern, Traditional, Coastal, Scandinavian, English Revival, or Contemporary, finding a builder who’s work and style you already love is the #1 tip for choosing a builder!
Ask yourself if any of their current homes are something that you could see yourself living in. If you were to build a home today, would you build it like their current style? If the answer is no, then it’s important to keep searching for a builder that is more open to creating something custom or one that embraces the style of your dream home!
4. Have the help of a realtor.
Don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a realtor through this process! A realtor can not only help you find the right builder for your project, but they can also help advocate for you throughout the process. This is especially essential towards the end of the project, when walk-throughs, inspections, and closing contracts take place.
Who pays for the realtor during a new home build?
Realtors are paid commission by the builder at the end of the new home build process. While it may seem like you might save money by not using a realtor, builders typically have a budget set aside for realtor fees and will most likely pocket the commissions. Hiring a realtor when building a new home can save loads of headaches and can even save you money by getting you the best deal, protect you from hidden contract verbiage, and help everything stay on track.
Want to learn more about the process of having a realtor on hand when building a home? Here’s a great article!
5. Meet with them.
After you narrow down your list of favorite local builders, it’s important to meet with them. Meeting with potential builders can not only clarify their price range and square footage range, but it can help you find out if they would be willing to build what you are looking to create. Additionally, it’s important to know if your personality fits well with the builder’s personality to ensure a good working relationship, as new build house projects can take months or even years.
6. Find out where they build.
The next thing to do in choosing a builder? Find out what neighborhoods or areas they build in. While some builders can build anywhere, other builders only build in certain neighborhoods or developments. If you’re wanting to live in a specific neighborhood, it’s important to find out what builders can build there.
7. Drive around and look at their new build homes.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of builders to a few favorites, be sure to drive around the neighborhoods that they build in and look at their previous work. Seeing the homes that they build in person is essential for choosing the right builder!
8. Learn about how custom their homes are.
Not every new home builder builds custom homes. If you are looking to create something unique, this will narrow down the list of builders that you can work with. Looking at different builder’s floor plan options and talking to them can help you find out if you need to create something partially or completely custom!
9. Ask their customers for opinions.
Know someone who has built a house in your area? Reach out to them! Ask them who they built with, why they built with them, how the process was for them, and if they would do it again. Learning what they liked and didn’t like about the process and how they enjoyed working with their builder can help you not only learn how to navigate your new build project, but also help you choose the right builder.
10. Walk through one of their homes.
Ask your potential builder if you can get a tour of a few of their homes! Seeing their homes in person is essential for learning more about what you like or don’t like and choosing a builder.
The #1 tip for choosing a builder: find a builder who’s work and style you already like!
Questions to ask when choosing a builder
Ready to meet with a potential builder? Here are a few questions to ask them:
- What is your average price per square foot?
- Timeline: how long does it typically take to build a home?
- Can you explain your process to me?
- Would it be possible to see all of your floor plan options?
- Can you show me examples of your previous work?
- What is the base price or starting square footage for your homes?
How to choose a builder for an extension
Building an extension to your current home? Finding a builder for this kind of job can be tricky!
Here’s how to choose a builder for a home extension:
- Ask around and get recommendations from people who have worked with certain builders.
- Look at builders previous work.
- Have an idea of what you want your home extension to look like. This will help determine who can do the job!
- Interview builders. Having a conversation with them will not only help you get to know their work, but it will also help you find out if your personalities mesh well for such a hefty project.
