Many communities have one or more approved builders that can operate inside the community, so be sure to find out what your options for building are when considering land or a lot to purchase. Many times, the community developer has a construction team that can build for you. Working with the community team can be wise because they’ll better help you understand and meet the community guidelines so that your plan doesn’t stall or get rejected by the architectural review board.
Once you’re ready to select your home builder, use these questions to help you determine the right builder for you.
Some builders only offer a few select floor plans to choose from or leave you to source your own designer. Finding your own plan and architect can be difficult and time-consuming. The best custom home builders have a design team that can discuss your needs and provide sample plans for your consideration, or have a custom plan drawn that will be exactly what you want. And, a team familiar with the building area, any easements, along with the community guidelines so you don’t end up with a plan that won’t fit on your lot or won’t be approved.
Get a feel for how each builder you are considering will operate. For example, some builders give you a list of vendors for things like fixtures, appliances, and other design features. In contrast, others employ a design team, schedule appointments for and visit vendors with you, lending their expertise. It sounds simple, picking light fixtures and cabinet finishes, but there’s a lot to consider and many decisions to make, so it’s best to work with a team that is there to support you.
Some companies manage many projects without giving you a single point of contact for questions, selections, and budget discussions. Not only can this be time-consuming for you, but it can also lead to confusion and details slipping through the cracks. Ask any potential providers how they plan to manage your build. Many new homeowners prefer having a dedicated home specialist working on their behalf. They serve as your main point of contact to ask questions, discuss ideas, and make decisions along the way, leaving your site manager free to work with the construction teams to get your home built faster.
Besides whom you’ll be working with, you’ll want to see if your builder’s communication style will be a good fit for you, how often you’ll be expected or able to visit the construction site, and how to request changes.
If you don’t already own a lot, check with the community you’re building in to learn if lot costs are combined with new construction costs. Most builders will provide you with an estimate based on your unique plan, size, and exterior and interior finishes.
For each type of selection, such as hardwood floors, windows and doors, and appliances, a good builder will provide you with allowances to help you when making choices. This will give you a general idea of the base price and mitigate unanticipated costs. Your home specialist should pay attention to and communicate often about how your project is going compared to the initial budget.
While you’re learning about the construction steps, you will want to know that your project won’t linger on unnecessarily. Building a new construction home involves many moving parts, and you need to have confidence that the onsite project managers will work on your build efficiently. Find out how many communities their crews work in, how many teams are involved, and ask what types of things will delay a project’s completion. Companies that only build in a single community benefit from sharing resources more efficiently so they can keep a tighter schedule that’s much easier to manage.
Also, a reputable builder will be transparent throughout the process and make you aware of decisions or selections that could delay completion so that any controllable delays can be avoided, reduced, or accepted knowingly in advance.
One important consideration is how the company will handle warranty issues. A somewhat alarming statistic is that over half of builders go out of business within the first five years. The last thing you want is to work with someone who won’t be around long enough to stand by their commitments. Some companies only warranty their work for one year, so be sure to find out what you can expect from anyone you consider.
Ask for a list of references that you can contact to discuss their experience building. When you speak with past clients, be sure to ask them about what went well, what could have been different, and how the business you’re considering resolved issues. There are several unforeseen circumstances that can impact a build, and you’ll want to get a feel for how your builder will handle any complications that might come up.
This is a great question to ask, but there is no single answer. At the end of the day, you’ll be working with your home building team for a reasonable amount of time. So, the most important question is actually one you’ll ask yourself, and that’s, “Do I feel like I can trust this builder and feel comfortable working with them for the duration?” And then decide from there.
Our Tennessee National custom home team will work tirelessly on your behalf, keeping you informed, on time, and on budget. And, as the developers of the entire property, we’re as committed as you are to making your home buying journey enjoyable, so much so that we provide a warranty for up to ten years.
Contact us today to visit the property and start building your family’s dream home today.
