Finding Your Builder

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CUSTOM BUILDER


Everyone wants to work with an honest, financially stable builder with superior customer service skills who produces quality work. How do you determine if a particular builder possesses these traits? First, find out if the builder is a member of the local building association. Second, ask for references, and then follow up by quizzing the builder’s banker (Does the builder pay his bills on time?), subcontractors (Does the builder treat you right?), and past customers (Would you choose the builder again?). The best indicators of character are other people’s experiences. After all, history tends to repeat itself.

Just as important is your comfort level with the builder’s personality. Did you hit it off right away or are you not quite on the same page? Is your builder genuinely excited to take on your project or are you—ho-hum—just another home he’s building that year? Talk to the builder’s staff, too. These are the people who will be helping you through the building process. Are these people you are going to get along with? Is customer service their number one priority?

Building a home is one of the biggest undertakings—both financially and psychologically—of a homeowner’s life. Don’t commit until you ask a builder these questions:

  • Who are the owners of the company and what is your ownership stake?
  • What is the chain of command, and where does the buck stop?
  • How many years have you been in business?
  • Have you ever had any lawsuits or complaints filed against you?
  • How has the resale value of your homes fared?
  • What criteria do you use to select your subcontractors?
  • What percentage of your subcontractors have been with you for at least five years?
  • What is your employee turnover rate?
  • How many customers have built with you for a second time?
  • Who will I be talking to when I have a question?
  • Who determines what’s acceptable and what’s not in terms of quality?
  • If we disagree on quality, how do we work that out?
  • How is pricing determined when I make a change order?
  • When the house is done and we create a punch list, how do I know that you’re going to fix everything?
  • What kind of measures do you take to prevent future mold growth in the home?
  • Are you environmentally sensitive to the areas around you during construction?

11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)

Only $9.95!
  • Less than $1 an issue.
  • 77% off newsstand price.
  • Includes annual HomeBook.


Everything Home. Everything Local.

You can also add Minnesota Monthly
(12 issues a year) for just $13 more.