How to Find a Good Custom Home Builder

How to Find a Good Custom Home Builder

Do you dream of building your own home?
Custom building your home means that you can live in a space designed to suit your unique wants and needs.
But you can’t do it alone!
You need to find a good custom home builder that can build your new abode exactly the way you want it.
Here are some tips for finding the perfect custom home builder to create your dream home:

What to Look For In a Custom Home Builder

Choosing a custom home builder to make your dream a reality is just as important as choosing the right design and location for your new home!
To make sure you find a good custom home builder, here are some things you should look for:

Experience

Find out how many years the custom home builder has been in business. This will help you determine if they have lots of experience.
While there’s nothing wrong with working with a new company, you want to make sure they have enough experience to get the job done right.
More experience typically indicates a high quality of work, and if a custom home builder has been in the business for many years, they are good at what they do.

Certifications

A good custom home builder will carry all of the necessary licenses and insurance policies to protect themselves and you during the construction process.
Check to make sure the custom home builder has the right insurance, including general liability coverage and worker’s compensation.
You’ll also want to inquire about their involvement in new home warranty programs, such as the Progressive Home Warranty Program.
Lastly, take a look at their credentials to see if their workers are Journeymen and Red Seal qualified.

References

A good custom home builder will gladly provide you with references and examples of their previous builds.
You can contact these references and ask them questions about their experience, such as:

• Would you hire this builder again?
• Was the quote close to the final cost? Were there any hidden or surprise costs?
• Was the build completed on time?
• Did they listen to your requests and try to accommodate any changes?
• Was the team easy to work with?
• Were you happy with the quality of work?

You can also drive by these homes and take a look in person!
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Good Reputation

While speaking to references will give you a good idea of the custom home builder’s reputation, you can also do some research online.
Use Google to search for custom home builders and take a look at the reviews. This will give you a good range of experiences from customers, including negative ones.
Taking negative reviews into consideration along with positive ones will give you a good idea of the company’s overall reputation.

Pricing

While the cost of a custom-built home is going to vary depending on a wide range of factors, overall pricing can be a determining factor when choosing a custom home builder.
Lower prices often indicate low quality, so don’t be tempted to choose a custom home builder just to save money.
Likewise, higher prices don’t always guarantee higher quality work.
Your best bet is to get quotes from a couple of different companies and compare them to the other factors mentioned above.

Red Flags

Of course, along with what to look for in a custom home builder, you should also consider red flags to steer clear of:

• They require a large down payment before commencing work on your new home.
  
• There is no written contract or a poorly written one.
  
• Their quote seems too good to be true and is notably lower than other quotes.
  
• They have an unclear work history.
  
• They will not provide you with references.
  
• They will not provide you with a complete estimate.
  
• They use high-pressure sales tactics and try to rush you into making a decision.
  
• They don’t have proper insurance or certifications.
  

Choosing the right custom home builder may be challenging, but it is the most important part of making perhaps the biggest purchase of your life!

How To Hire a Custom Home Builder

When you hire a custom home builder, you are playing the role of a hiring manager! This means that you should approach the hiring process like a job interview.
The first thing you should do is ask the custom home builder questions and ask for a background check, including all certifications.
You should also approach the custom home with a plan to help them fully understand your vision and requirements.
Come up with an ideal floor plan, as well as design styles and features you would like to have in your new home.
You should also approach a custom home builder with a budget. They can then give you a general idea of what design aspects will suit your financial needs.
Before you proceed with any custom home project, make sure you have everything in writing.
This contract should include the construction timeline, estimated costs, payment terms, and the amount of an initial deposit.

Questions to Ask A Builder

Here are some questions to ask a builder during the interview process:

• Are you willing to work with my design ideas?
  
• Are you willing to work with my budget?
  
• How do you determine the cost of the home?
  
• How will you address my questions and concerns during construction?
  
• Will you try to accommodate design changes during the process?
  
• Will you let me know of any necessary changes and additional costs?
  
• How long do you think this project will take?
  

Overall, you want to take this opportunity to determine if the custom home builder is someone you are comfortable working with.

Custom Home Building Specialists

​Mer-Con Homes and Renovations is a family-owned business that creates beautiful living spaces for Alberta families!
From pouring the foundation to completing your custom home, Mer-Con is involved in every step to ensure quality work and superb customer service.
If you are interested in learning more about our custom home services, feel free to contact us today or get your free quote!