Building a new home is a major life decision, so it’s no surprise that most consumers want to be involved in every aspect of the process. Because new home construction requires a good bit of time, research, and planning, the entire project can be a bit overwhelming. This is especially true for first-time builders who might not know what to expect.
Choosing a reputable, experienced home builder is the best way to minimize stress and ensure things go as smoothly as possible. Furthermore, the quality of your new home is largely contingent on the experience of your builder and the subcontractors they choose to do the work. Keep in mind, custom home builders can vary drastically when it comes to skills and experience. When making such a large investment, you’ll want to be sure you’re working with a good partner. However, finding good builders isn’t always easy. If you’re planning to build a custom home, below are some important things to look for when selecting a builder.
1. Solid Communication
As a future homeowner, you should be involved in every aspect of the planning, design, and build. As a result, you’ll want to select a home builder partner that collaborates with their customers. Communication is absolutely essential to the process. When interviewing builders, try to get a sense of how well they communicate and set your expectations upfront. Below are some questions to ask yourself after meeting with a potential builder.
- Do they answer questions clearly and thoroughly?
- Do they address your concerns and put you at ease?
- Do they seem knowledgeable?
- How often will you meet with them during planning and construction?
- What is the preferred method of communication?
- How often will you meet with them on the construction site?
If this is a new process for you, you’re going to have a lot of questions. After all, a custom home is likely to be one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make. If your home builder doesn’t communicate, answer questions, and put you at ease, they’re not the right choice for your project.
2. They Can Build What You Want
Before you can shop for a good home builder, you need to have a good idea of exactly what type of home you want to build and how much you’re looking to spend. Most home builders specialize in a certain type of home, so defining your requirements will ultimately help you narrow down your choices. For example, if energy efficiency is important to you, you’ll want to be sure to select a company that really specializes in green buildings.
3. Experience
One of the first things to consider when interviewing a potential builder is how long they’ve been in business. While you may see better pricing from an inexperienced company, you don’t want to sacrifice quality in order to cut the price tag on your new home. If your builder has been around for a long time, they’ll have a portfolio of beautiful homes and satisfied customers. Don’t be afraid to ask for references or to see examples of past work. When calling references, be sure to ask about the builder’s communication, quality, and overall satisfaction.
4. Check Licensing And Insurance
To ensure your custom home builder is qualified to do the work, you should always verify that they have all necessary Florida building licenses as well as an adequate insurance policy. In Florida, custom home builders should have a general contractor license, a building contractor license, and a residential contractor license. These licenses require builders to complete exams and can serve as some indication that they’re qualified to do the work.
It’s also wise to inquire about their insurance policies. Custom builders will have workers’ compensation, general liability, and perhaps even builders’ risk policy to protect themselves and your investment during construction.
5. Warranties
Every major purchase should also come with a warranty, and your new custom home should be no exception. Ask if your potential home builder offers warranties on their custom homes. Common warranties include third-party insured warranties, mechanical warranties, and limited material/workmanship warranties. Make sure you’re clear on the length and terms of each warranty offered and ask your contractor to explain all of the details if anything seems unclear.
6. Local Recommendations
Custom home builders usually have strong relationships with real estate agents, lenders, contractors, and inspectors. By reaching out to these organizations and asking for referrals or recommendations, you can get a good sense of a home builder’s reputation within the local community. If you hear multiple negative remarks about a particular builder, it’s a good sign that you should stay away. If a builder has a good reputation, their local network is likely to sing their praises.
7. Quality Subcontractors
The quality of your new home doesn’t just come down to the experience of your builder, but it also is contingent on the subcontractors your builder selects to perform certain aspects of the construction. Ask your builder how they go about selecting various subcontractors. What are their qualifications? How do they evaluate them? Ask for a list of the electricians, plumbers, and roofers who will work on your new home, and take a bit of time to do some research on each contractor. You don’t want any unskilled contractors working on your new home.
Finding a good builder isn’t always easy, but when it comes to your dream home, don’t settle for anything less than the best. At the end of the day, a custom home builder isn’t just a service provider, but they should also be your advocate and partner in the home building process.
If you’re in the market for a good custom home builder in Central Florida, contact Atlas Homes today. Our priority is to improve our local communities by building high-quality energy-efficient custom homes.