If you want to build an exceptional custom home, you need to find an experienced custom home builder to help realize your vision. Whether you have a sea of options or have narrowed it down to a few choices, finding the right candidate for the job can be challenging. We’re here to help!
We’ll discuss the four areas of concern when finding the best custom home builder:
- Qualifications
- Insurance Coverage
- Customer Reviews
- Communication
How to Find the Best Custom Home Builder
When choosing the best custom home builder for your project, it’s important to be diligent and do your research. The builder must meet specific criteria, have insurance, be backed by positive customer reviews, and value the importance of communication. If they meet these specifications, you can be more confident you’ll get the custom home you’ve always dreamed of.
Custom Home Builder Qualifications
Custom home builders’ qualifications go beyond their education and licensing by the state (though, of course, both are important). When selecting the right home builder, you’ll want to be sure they’re qualified to handle the type of home build you’re looking for and understand both the land and area where you’ve decided to construct your home.
For example, our home builder, Matt Bryant with Riverdell Construction, is a top-tier custom home builder in southern Oregon. Not only does he have an array of local contacts for materials and specialized work, but he also understands the topography and climate of the region and how to build a home perfectly suited for the land it sits on.
You won’t find this kind of knowledge in every home builder. Set yourself up for success and choose a qualified professional who knows how to make informed decisions.
Home Builder Insurance Coverage
When selecting the right custom builder for your home, you must verify that every candidate is properly licensed in your state and possess the necessary insurance. This critical step will protect you and your project from liability, which could be costly and hold up the process of building your dream home.
The custom home builder that you hire should hold two types of insurance:
- Liability Insurance or Contractor General Liability Insurance
- Worker’s Compensation Insurance
In regards to their worker’s compensation insurance, you must clarify that it covers any hired workers beyond the general contractor. This protects you from liability for injuries or accidents while work is being done for your home and your property.
Positive Client Reviews
Any superior custom home builder should have plenty of experience backed by great reviews and feedback from previous clients. When choosing the right custom home builder, don’t overlook the step of looking at their referrals and client testimonials.
Most custom home builders love to talk about previous projects they’ve been a part of — if not, a red flag should go up. Pay close attention to how they explain projects similar to yours, how they stayed on budget, and how long the projects have taken to complete. Then, ask for examples or portfolios of their past work. Some, like Builder Matt, who are truly proud of their work will have their portfolio of custom homes right on their website.
You can also do your own in-person research and drive by homes they’ve built to see if their style matches your own. If possible, interview the homeowners and ask them about their building experience, level of satisfaction with the build, communication with the builder, and if they’ve had any problems with the home since. If any issues did arise, ask how the builder handled the situation and worked to resolve the issues.
Fast & Effective Communication
Custom home builders know each project will differ drastically as they involve specific input and preferences each homeowner has in mind for their dream home. Therefore, transparent and honest communication from the beginning is vital for success and ensuring everyone is on the same page.
If from the beginning you find yourself frequently disagreeing or even arguing with your contractor and losing trust in them sticking to your budget and timeline, you aren’t likely to end up with a home you feel good about. Or worse, the project comes to halt as it becomes less of a priority of your builder and you are left with finding a new contractor to pick up where they left off.
We recommend setting boundaries and expectations with your builder in your very first meeting. It’s good to know how flexible they’ll be with changes you want to make along the way and how they prefer you communicate those requests.
The best custom home builder for you will be communicative and open to your ideas. You should feel confident they will consult you before making changes affecting your home or budget.
Next Steps With Your Custom Home Builder
With the right custom home builder on your team, you’ll be ready to bring your dream home to life. Be sure to communicate important features about your lot, including lot access details, existing utility connections, necessary excavation and grading work, and other landscape details the builder may need to know.
Where you choose to build your home is just as important as who you pick to build it. With stunning homesites in beautiful southern Oregon, The Vineyards at Stage Pass could be the ideal spot for you to call home. To learn more about our community, reach out to the Stage Pass team today.
