Tips for Choosing Your Home Builder

It feels good to make the decision to build your home. All the ideas you’ve pinned in Pinterest, the clippings from magazines you’ve saved, and dreams you’ve held for your ideal home, are finally taking shape. Will all of these ideas make it into the final design? Perhaps not but the hope is the final version of your home will hold those elements most important to you. A garden spa tub under an arched window with a chandelier in the bathroom would be a luxurious way to unwind after a stressful day. A farmhouse sink positioned under a deep-window sill, large enough to hold potted plants, and wide windows looking across a spacious yard is how you imagine your kitchen. And for each room, you have an idea of what would be meaningful for you and your family.

One way to get as close as possible to your vision is in choosing a home builder. Use these tips to work with a team who understands your vision and is committed to working hard on your behalf to help you live in your dream home.

Determine Your Budget, Location & Home Style

It all begins with you.

• Where would you like to live?
• What is the size of your budget?
• Which home style have you chosen?

The answers to each of these questions will factor into which builder has the experience and skills to take on the build.

Some home builders will build on a lot you own. Other builders may require you to purchase the lot from them, for instance, if the home will be situated in a planned community being built by the home builder.

It never hurts to get a pre-approval letter from your lender and explore any types of lending you may wish to use.

Attend Local Home Shows & Tour Model Homes

Attending home shows is an excellent way to meet many home builders and subcontractors in one location and collect information. It’s beneficial to be able to speak with someone face-to-face and get your questions answered.

If there are no home shows scheduled in the coming months, take advantage of touring model homes. Walking through the model home gives you the opportunity to view the quality of the workmanship and touch the finishes being used. After seeing and touching a quartz countertop, you may decide you like this surface better than you thought you would. Perhaps your heart was set on hardwood floors but the laminate flooring used in the model home is so close in appearance that it makes it the right choice and more affordable.  
Inquire About the Builder & the Building Process

Getting to know the builder and how they prefer to work will help you decide if this is the right team for you. Begin with these questions:

• Is your business licensed and insured?
• Would you provide a sample contract, budget, schedule, and warranty?
• Tell me about your warranty and service policy. How do you service any warranty issues after we move-in?
• Can your team build the style of home we’re looking for?
• On average, how many builds do you have in the works at one time? Do you have room to take on a new home build?
• What is your average turnaround time?
• Do you have model homes or a recently completed home we could visit?

There are many steps in the building process and understanding this process will be helpful.

• How long does it take to receive a quote estimate?
• Will the contract be fixed-price or cost-plus? Do we have a choice in which type we can choose?
• Who will be in charge of our home build and how often will be meet? How will this person communicate with us?
• Do you follow a process for qualifying subcontractors that work on our home?
• Whenever possible, do you build energy efficient homes?
• Are the materials used considered sustainable, long-lasting building materials?
• How are challenges to stay on schedule during construction handled?

Ask for References

Ask the builder for some references and don’t be shy about chatting with past customers. When you reach out to these references consider asking about these key areas:

• If you ever build another home, would you work with this same builder or seek someone different?
• Was your home build completed on schedule and on budget? If not, what were the reasons for the delay and added expenses?
• Were you satisfied with the level of communication from the builder?
• Was the build clean and organized?
• Were there any subcontractors on the job that you would strongly recommend or avoid?

A custom home build has many layers and working with a realtor who is familiar with the process and acquainted with numerous home builders in the area, makes a difference. I’m happy to guide you and be with you throughout the entire process. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to talk about how to turn your dream home into reality.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.

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