How To Choose The Right Custom Home Builder

Determine Your Budget

Before consulting the designer and hiring an architect, have an honest conversation about your budget for this custom home build. The easiest place to begin is by determining the square footage of your home.

Most custom home builders charge clients per square foot to start. The quality of materials you choose determines the next layer of costs. Higher-end materials mean a higher cost per square foot.

Finally, research how your home’s location and material costs will affect your final price. Of course, these two variables can vary depending on the conditions of the current market.

And never forget to add an extra 10 to 20 percent to your budget just in case. Once you start tearing down walls and digging around, you never know what issues may require additional financial attention. At Torino Construction, we always work to avoid these situations.

Research Builders

Wondering how to find a home builder in your area? Before you sign any kind of contract with a custom home builder, do your homework. Access useful resources from industry associations, comb through online reviews, and ask family or friends for first-hand referrals. Chances are that if someone you know had a good experience, you will too.

Check Credentials

Even if a builder passes all referral and review checks, you’ll still want to verify their certifications. A reputable builder should be able to easily present you with proof of insurance, licensing, certifications, and even awards.

Meet the Builder

Even in our digital world, you can’t discuss your dream home solely over Zoom or email. Meet your builder in person. Get to know them well. You’ll see a lot of each other. It’s important to determine if you can communicate well throughout the project. This is your chance to see how the contractor handles surprises and responds to changes.

In many respects, you should treat this meeting as a job interview. Have a list of questions ready and don’t feel awkward asking a lot. You’re spending a lot of money and expecting high-quality work in return. If you have a good quality home builder in your mind, then they should be able to answer some of these questions without breaking a sweat:

Questions to Ask Your Builder

• How do you make certain that the build gets done on time and within the budget agreed upon when signing our contract?
• How do you talk with your clients during construction?
• What is your preferred method of communication?
• How do you react when you encounter an unexpected problem or challenge as the home building begins?
• Where do you source your building materials from and what brands are you typically trusting when it comes to shingles, drywall, installation, lumber, etc.?
• How do you help me turn my vision for a custom home into reality?
• Can you tell me more about your design and planning process?
• Will you provide me with references from happy clients so I can see and find out more about the projects you’ve done in the past?
• Will you give me a detailed overview of every cost of my custom home-building project?
• What is your policy on warranties, each for work or the materials used on the project?
• What is your policy if a problem arises after the construction is finished? Are any follow-up repairs included in our agreed-upon costs?

Review the Contract

Even if you love the contractor and feel great about the project, always protect yourself. Review the contract carefully before you sign. Understand all payment due dates and the expected timeline for each project stage.

If you feel overwhelmed, have a lawyer, real estate agent, or trusted family member review the document. Don’t hesitate to request changes. Once you sign, you cannot alter the document, so get it right first.

Finally, keep a signed copy of the contract in a safe place for future reference.