You’ve decided to build a home, or you’re at least considering it. That’s great! There are many benefits to building a new home versus buying an existing one. We may be biased, but we think you’re making a great choice.
So… what do you do next? You’ll need to choose a home builder. There are many things you should think about when you make this next important decision. To make it easier, we’ve compiled a list of factors to consider when choosing a home builder:
1. Where, how much, and what style?
If you’ve already been thinking about building a home, it’s likely that you’ve already considered location and budget. However, if you haven’t, you need to determine how much you can afford and where you want to build. Work with your lender (or reach out to one of ours) to get a pre-approval letter, and think about what your maximum budget would be. When choosing a location, consider schools, your commute, and what type of lifestyle you are looking for.
You’ll also want to have an idea of what type of home you’re looking to build. What are things that you consider “essential” in your floor plan? What are some of the options you could do without? Start looking at floorplans to see what fits best for your family.
2. Ask all of the questions.
After you’ve reviewed some of your home builder options and taken a look at their floorplans, schedule a meeting with each. Ask them questions about:
- Their licensing and insurance;
- New home warranties and service; and
- Current workload and what their timeline would look like.
Look through their websites and social media to see pictures of other homes they have built. Find out what options you can customize. Make sure their style matches yours.
3. Read the testimonials.
Scour the website testimonials. Search the company on Google, Facebook, and Houzz and see what others are saying. Try to communicate with people who have used that builder before. Research will pay off!
4. Discuss materials and budget.
Have an open discussion with the builder you’re most interested in. Determine whether they can meet your budget. Decide together where you can make cuts if that becomes necessary. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting a quality home.
5. Pay attention to communication.
When you reach out with questions, how quickly are you getting a response? Are they listening to you, or just trying to get you to sign a contract? You want to work with a builder that cares about you, and building your dream home. Communicate your wants and needs clearly, and expect the same in return from your builder. Establishing great communication early on will be important throughout the process.
The homebuilding process can seem overwhelming when you’re just getting started, but it doesn’t have to be. Doing plenty of research up front is necessary when making this important decision. Once you’ve chosen the home builder that best fits what you’re looking for, you can relax and get excited for your dream home to be ready!
Interested in meeting with us about building your next home? Contact us today; we would love to talk with you.