You may have a dream of building a custom home but this is achievable with the right builder. With so many people calling themselves custom home builders, this task can daunt. This guide will enable you to select a good custom home builder.
Know what you want. It is good to have an idea of your budget and a list of the things you look forward to having in your new home. Since you cannot have everything you want, you should prioritize it. Do you need a modern home or a traditional one? Do you want a dramatic architectural showpiece or a cozy family home? Even the best builder cannot deliver your dream home if you cannot define your dream. Since some builders specialize in a given style, defining your dream will help you to pick a builder with experience in building such homes. Also, it will help your builder to get your dream right hence delivering the home you want.
Ensure a builder has strong design capabilities. Many builders work with draftsmen and architects to draw up homes, meaning you do not have to approach them with a plan already in place. It is beneficial to have the builder involved in the design phase as he/she can provide information concerning the costs and logistics of a specific design. Ask a builder if he/she will work with you to generate a design because this can streamline the process to a big extent. Also, when there are long-lasting connections between your builder and the designer, the operating dynamic tends to be more efficient. Look at the homes a potential builder participated in designing to get an idea of their design sensibility.
Make sure a builder is transparent and upfront about costs. Building a custom home needs a lot of commitment. It is vital that you know how much you will pay before you start to avoid building halfway and realize you cannot afford to complete it. Good builders wait till your plans are complete before issuing pricing because failing to do so makes a builder guess and the figure they provide can be inaccurate. Prices of two homes of similar sizes can differ by the fact of them being custom homes and no two are the same. Most clients feel frustrated as collecting full pricing information can extend to weeks of steady work. However, it is rewarding at the end since you will know precisely where you stand. Talk to past clients and inquire if builders remained on budget. Choosing a builder who hides nothing about fees will save you from last-moment, panicked meetings with your bank.
Ask a builder how changes along the building process will be handled. No matter how much you try, you are likely to encounter changes along the way. As your home goes up, you can opt for more space in a room, windows moved in another, an extra door, and more, elements that can change your chosen finishing materials, kitchen design, and more. These can lead to changes in costs, making it important to agree upfront on how to handle them. To be precise, ensure there is a good way to keep track of costs, for example, a breakdown of the billing. Also, ensure the contract states what costs are covered so as to note extras.
