QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A HOME BUILDER

Choosing a new home builder can be an overwhelming and confusing task, here are some questions to ask when choosing a new home builder in Northern Utah.

You’ve decided to build your dream home. You’ve poured through floor plans, have toured model homes and have spent more time on Pinterest than you care to admit. You know what you want but you need to find a home builder in Northern Utah and don’t know where to begin. Choosing the home builder that is right for you can be an overwhelming task if you’re new to the home building process. Building a new home is a challenging thing to do the first time around, but it is also a wonderfully rewarding thing to do. Finding the right home builder can be difficult, but asking the following questions to any potential home builder will make the task much easier.

You’re entering into a relationship with your home builder. You’re going to be working with him or her for a long time so you want to choose someone with whom you like and respect, as well as who can build a beautiful home for your family and budget. Asking these questions will help you have a better understanding of what both of you can expect throughout the project.

Questions to ask a potential custom home builder:

1. How long have you been in business? All home builders have to get started somewhere so being new isn’t a bad thing, it’s just good to know up front. Experience is great, but someone who is a little less experienced can bring some great things to the table, so don’t discount someone just because they haven’t been in business as long as some other builders.
2. Are you licensed and insured? If the answer is “no” then look for another builder. Don’t waste your time with a builder that is not insured or licensed.
3. Do you have references that you’d be willing to share? Not all prior home owners will invite you into their home, but they may talk to you on the phone. Ask for references and then be sure to check them out.
4. Where do you build? Many custom home builders only build in certain areas so before you get too set on a builder find out where they build. If they don’t build in your area ask them if they can recommend a builder who does.
5. How long will it take to build my home? Most builders will give you an estimate of when the home will be completed, and most will be right on schedule. Be aware that any estimate of completion is based on their schedule when they give you the estimate. If you wait months before you get started they may be booked up.
6. How much will it cost? Before signing any agreement make sure you know exactly how much the builder will charge you for the project, but also extras such as change orders as well as any fees that might be incurred because of the changes. Once a project is rolling changes can increase the cost of the project exponentially so know what you want before you break ground.