If you’re planning to build a custom home, taking the time to conduct a thorough, comprehensive interview with a potential builder is the most important part of the planning process. If it’s your first time, interviewing a builder may seem a bit intimidating, so it’s a good idea to do a bit of preparation upfront. Below is a list of questions you should ask a builder during every interview:
Building a custom home is an exciting process, but it can also be long and complicated. Because there is so much at stake, it’s important to find a reputable contractor with a track record of good craftsmanship to do the work. Partnering with an experienced builder will ultimately give you peace of mind as you’ll have confidence in their ability to navigate hurdles and deliver a high-quality product.
Can You Provide Proof Of License and Insurance?
It’s best to get this question out of the way as early as possible. There are many unlicensed and uninsured builders out there, and they’re often inexpensive or offer services at a discounted rate. However, Florida state law requires all construction to be done by licensed contractors, so it’s critical that you validate your builder’s credentials before they begin work on your custom home.
Working with a contractor who does not carry adequate insurance coverage can pose a huge financial risk. You should also ask what coverage the builder has and ask to see copies of the policies. At a minimum, your contractor should have general liability, workers’ compensation, and builders’ risk policies to protect themselves as well as your future custom home.
Do You Offer A Warranty?
Building custom homes is a complex process, and no matter how experienced your builder is, problems can and do occur. To put consumers at ease, most reputable builders will offer a warranty that provides some level of protection against unexpected problems. During the vetting process, make sure you thoroughly understand the terms of the warranty including its length and what is covered. Ask if there is room to negotiate if necessary. Once you understand the full scope of the warranty, make sure every detail is documented in the final contract before you sign it.
Can You Work With My Budget?
It’s always recommended that you determine your budget before engaging in discussions with builders and that you communicate that budget early on in the process. If you and your builder aren’t on the same page about pricing and budget, it could result in wasted time or even a failed project down the line. Some people are concerned they may be taken advantage of if they reveal a budget that is higher than what the project calls for. Remember, if you don’t feel like you can trust your contractor during the hiring process, then you most likely aren’t working with someone who is the right fit in the first place.
Will You Provide A List Of References?
Interviewing a builder may only reveal so much, you may want to take the extra step and consider asking for references as well. Remember, you want to be as thorough as possible during the vetting process in order to protect your investment. Ask your contractor to provide a list of three of five references from recently satisfied customers. Before you call, write down a list of a few questions to ask. Inquire about the contractor’s quality of work, how well they communicated during the project, and how well the project followed a timeline. Ask if the client has noticed any issues that have popped up after completion of the build. A satisfied client should give a very positive recommendation.
Can You Show Me Samples Of Your Previous Projects?
A good contractor will jump at the opportunity to show off their past work. While there is obviously no way to see your unique custom home until after it’s built, it can still be helpful to schedule a tour of your builder’s model homes. Not only will it is it a chance to evaluate the quality of your contractor’s work, but it can also help you get a good sense of what styles or features you’d like in your own custom home.
How Long Will it Take To Complete The Project?
Building a custom home can be a complicated, lengthy process and so putting together a precise timeline can be a challenge for even the most experienced builder. However, it’s important to get a sense of when your custom home will be ready so you can plan your move accordingly. After you and your builder have discussed a budget and defined the scope of the project, your builder should be able to give you at least a rough estimate for how long they think the project will take to complete. Just keep in mind unforeseen delays can pop up from time to time, especially when building custom homes.
How Many Homes Are You Currently Building?
If your custom home builder is juggling a ton of projects, it could mean their skills are in high demand. But it could also mean they may not have enough time to be fully dedicated to your project. If your potential builder is a small operation and is swamped with work, you may not get the communication and customer service you expect. Ask your contractor how many projects they have in the pipeline, and how that number compares to their typical workload. Make sure they have the bandwidth to take on the additional work.
How Will We Communicate During The Project?
Building a custom home is exciting, so you’ll undoubtedly want progress reports along the way. Ask your builder to set expectations around communication. How frequently will you receive progress reports? How often should you check in? Will you receive updates by way of email, text, or phone call? How often are you able to meet on-site and review progress on your custom home? A good builder is also good at communicating with clients and keeping them informed, but it’s usually a good idea to set these expectations in the beginning.
At the end of the day, a reputable builder should make you feel at ease, communicate clearly, and answer each question as thoroughly as possible. If a builder makes you feel uncomfortable, rushes through the interview, or doesn’t take the time to make sure you understand the process, then they’re likely not a good fit for your custom home. Remember, if something doesn’t seem right, then trust your gut.
If you’re looking for a builder to construct your custom home in the Deland area, get in touch with Atlas Homes today. We’re happy to answer all of your questions and walk you through our process. We work to ensure every one of our customers gets a unique custom home built with the finest craftsmanship.