Planning for your custom new build home can be an exciting process. Getting the details in order can also be enough to make you want to pull your hair out! The key to any successful (and low-stress) home build project is positioning yourself with the best team of local designers and home builders for your situation.
Of course, this is a task in and of itself. If you’re dipping your toes in the planning process and need guidance for how to choose your custom home builder, you’ve come to the right place. Follow this step-by-step process to set yourself up for success.
The last thing you want to do is enter a deal with a home builder blindly and end up disappointed in the process. Cast a wide net when hunting down options. Make a list of all the builders in your area. In this phase, you don’t need to be overly choosy. Simply figure out which builders could broadly be a good fit for your needs.
Part of this early vetting process is choosing the type of builder structure that will suit your situation best. There are two main models to consider: design-build and design-bid-build. Here’s a breakdown of what makes them distinct.
Design-build companies streamline the process of home design and construction. They provide most if not all the services you’ll need when constructing your new build from start to finish. A design-build company can help with brokering the property to designing the home all the way to construction. Some companies will simply offer design and building services and you will have to hunt down a plot of land on your own. Regardless, design-build is a turn-key option that simplifies the process of home remodeling and building.
The design-bid-build process places more responsibility on the person seeking to redesign or build a home. Typically, they will seek out a designer and a builder separately. They will first work with the designer of their choice to create a plan of action for their project. Next, they will seek out a building contractor, weighing out bids from different companies. The designers and builders don’t communicate directly through this process. It’s up to the owner to make sure they have design documents in order for the builder.
Once you choose between design-build and design-bid-build, you can further narrow down your home-builder options. No two builders are equal. Ideally, you’ll want to find a reliable contractor that can accomplish what you have in mind when building your custom home. Think of picking out a builder like starting a new relationship. You’ll be working closely with them and that’s going to be way easier if you actually like them, right?
When vetting builders, you should first be sure that they can deliver on the style that you have in mind. Check out their work examples. Does it seem like they dabble in many different styles or do they specialize in one? See if they have the ability to work with your personal style. Their website is typically a place to find their project gallery.
Another important factor to consider is what credentials they have. You should always work with licensed builders. It’s also a good sign if they are involved with any builder’s associations such as National Home Builders. This is the mark of a credible builder.
Take note of the size of their team. Do they have a large team or are they a small operation? This could be a sign of how responsive your team will be. If they’re spread too thin, that could cause issues down the road.
Look at their reviews. Get an initial read on how their past clients feel about the company. If they seem to have a good amount of respect this is a green light. On the other hand, bad reviews are obviously not a great sign. If they don’t have many reviews this can be cause for concern. It’s not necessarily a strike against them but it likely means they’re a newer company. Be sure to do your due diligence to make sure they are up to snuff.
Send a line out to the home-build companies that pique your interest. This is not only a way to open up an initial line of communication but it can also test their responsiveness, professionalism, and willingness to help.
Keep your eyes peeled for any potential red flags while opening up communication with a builder. One of the biggest signs that you should not run but sprint the other way is if they give you a price during your first conversation. While you can give out a starting point, there’s no way to determine a base rate before you flesh out the details. This is a tactic some builders use to hook a sale before revealing hidden fees down the line.
Another red flag is if the builder says they have no references that you could reach out to. This might indicate that either they haven’t worked with many people yet or that they don’t have a stellar reputation.
When it comes to picking out a builder, go with your gut. Feel out how they communicate and if that resonates with you. Remember, you’ll be working with this team for a good chunk of time so it doesn’t hurt if you like them on a personal level.
Now that you have a solid selection of home builders to choose from, it’s time to dig in a little deeper. The next step is to interview your top contenders. Here is where you’ll get the opportunity to dig down into the nitty gritty of their company culture and see if it aligns with you. You’ll get to meet the team and get a little more insight into their design process.
Try to get a feel for what their process is like from dream to fully executed plan. If they’re vague, this could be a bad sign. You want a company that can provide concrete ideas and a solid direction.
Here are some questions you should ask your would-be home builders:
References are valuable resources you will certainly want to tap into. Former clients know a company’s process first-hand. They will be in the best position to give you an honest review of how a company runs, the quality of their work, and how attentive they are throughout the process.
Here are some questions you should ask references:
You’re in the home stretch! Now you should have a substantial amount of information on your top contenders. Remember, if any of the builders lead with a price, this is likely not a company you want to partner with. Take note of how each handled your thoughts and concerns. Did you feel like they could provide a balanced discussion? A good custom home builder should be able to take your dreams into account while also helping you see what the reality of the situation is.
At the end of the day, pick the builder you feel you can trust and, as the phrase goes, trust them. Go with your gut! There are sure to be some bumps in the road but if you know you picked a reliable builder, they will be fully capable of handling it!
We also recommend going for a local builder. Some builders people choose are from out-of-state because the homeowner loves the quality of work. However, these aren’t the best candidates for building a home in your area since they may not be aware of everything that will affect construction and the post-build.
Take Colorado for example, many out-of-state construction companies and designers might not understand the natural elements we get fluctuating on a daily basis. Your home must be made with materials that can live up to the regular temperature shifts, high winds, snow, and the occasional hail. This will also depend on which city in Colorado you plan to build your home. Colorado Springs and Fort Collins are two very different areas when heavy weather sets in.
We would be honored to help your dream home come to life. Your new home is the start of a new chapter in your story. At Forge & Bow, we breathe life into our custom homes through artistry, architectural design, high character, and, of course, that all too important personal touch. As trusted home builders in Nothern Colorado, we value each and every client...and each and every custom home we have the honor of designing and building.
