If you want to build an exceptional custom home, you need just the right custom home builder to help you realize your vision. Finding the best candidate for the job, whether you have a sea of options or have narrowed it down to a few choices, it can be done — and we’ll explain how.

Let’s break down the four areas of concern when it comes to finding the right custom home builder: qualifications, insurance coverage, customer reviews, and communication.

How to Find the Right Custom Home Builder

Any custom home builder you consider must meet the basic requirements for the job by having the qualifications and insurance to work on your home. The right custom home builder will also be backed by customer reviews and be able to work with you during the building process to make sure you get the custom home you’ve been dreaming about.

Custom Home Builder Qualifications

The right custom home builder’s qualifications go beyond their education and licensing by the state (though, of course, both are important). When choosing the right custom home builder, you’ll want to make sure they’re qualified to handle the type of home you’re looking for, and understand the area where you’ve decided to build. 

Not only will the right custom home builder have contacts in the area for materials and specialized work, but they’ll also understand 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 custom home builder, but it’s important that whoever you choose to construct your dream home is able to make informed decisions.

Custom Home Builder Insurance Coverage

When choosing a custom home builder, you’ll need to verify that all candidates are properly licensed in your state and carry the necessary insurance. This important step will protect you and your home build from liability, which could be costly and hold up the process of building your dream home. 

Your custom home builder should hold two types of insurance: one, liability insurance, or the more specialized contractor general liability insurance (CGL), and two, worker’s compensation insurance. You should also make sure the latter covers any hired workers beyond the general contractor. This protects you from liability for injuries or accidents that happen while work is being done on your home and on your property.

Custom Home Builder Reviews

Any custom home builder you consider should have plenty of experience that’s backed by great reviews and feedback from previous clients. When choosing the right builder for your custom home, don’t skip the step of reviewing their referrals and reviews. 

Most custom home builders love to talk about previous projects they’ve been a part of — if not, then a red flag should go up. Pay close attention to how they’ve handled projects similar to yours, how they’ve stayed on budget, and how long the projects have taken to complete.

Drive by homes they’ve built to see if the styles are visually appealing to you. If possible, interview the homeowners and ask them about their building experience, their level of satisfaction with the build, the communication with the builder and if they’ve had any problems with the home since. If any problems have come up, make sure to ask how the builder handled them and if they were willing to come back and resolve any pending issues.

Custom Home Builder Communication

Custom home builders know that this process will be different from building other homes because it involves your input as the homeowner and occupant, which is why clear and honest communication is vital for success. It’s a good idea to get a measure for how flexible your custom home builder is, in case changes need to be made to the plan along the way.

If you are constantly arguing with your contractor and don’t trust them to stick to your budget and timeline, you aren’t likely to end up with a home you feel good about after the build is done. Or worse, the project will be abandoned because it’s not a priority of your builder to communicate with you.

The right custom home builder will be communicative and open to your ideas. You should feel confident they will consult you before making changes that affect your home or your budget. 

Next Steps With Your Custom Home Builder

Addressing these four areas when finding the right home builder for your new home will help you find the ideal builder who is:

  • Experienced in the area and with homes like yours
  • Willing to work with your budget and timeline
  • Properly licensed and insured 
  • Communicative throughout the building process

With the right custom home builder on your team, you’ll be ready to build your dream home on the lot you’ve chosen. You can work together to fit your home plan to the natural landscape of the home site. Be sure to communicate important features about the lot, including lot access details, any existing utility connections, necessary excavation and grading work, and other landscape details they’ll need to be aware of. 

With the right team assembled, you’re ready to start working on your home and realizing your dream.

Choosing the right home builder for your dream home is important to you. Where you build it is important to us. With stunning homesites located in the Rogue Valley region with convenient access to towns like Jacksonville and Medford OR, 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.

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