The opportunity to build a custom home can be thrilling but daunting. While custom-built homes may seem more expensive than standard homes, they often become more economical in the long run. This is because custom homes are designed to be energy-efficient, and because all appliances are brand-new, you’ll end up spending less on repair and maintenance costs.
More importantly—a custom home is designed with you in mind. This type of project gives you unlimited personalization choices, allowing every detail of your home to echo your unique style and functionality requirements.
Despite the many benefits of building a custom home, selecting the right builder is the key to successfully bringing your dream home to life. It’s more than just hiring a contractor—it’s about finding a partner who completely understands your vision and has the expertise to realize it.
In this article, we’ll cover the crucial factors to consider when searching for your custom home builder.
Reputation, Reviews, & References
A builder’s reputation is a reflection of their craftsmanship, reliability, and commitment to customer satisfaction.
When you find a custom home builder you’re interested in working with, we recommend:
- Reading Online Reviews About Them: Find the company on Google, Yelp, and other directories to see what previous clients have said about their work. Pay attention to positive and negative reviews, and look at how the company responds to them. Remember that no builder is perfect; a few negative reviews don’t necessarily spell disaster.
- Requesting References From Them: Any reputable builder should be willing to provide references from past clients. If a builder provides you with a list of past clients, contact them to ask about their experience with the company, including their project timeline (and if the company went over, under, or met the timeline), the company’s dedication to their budget, and how the builder handled any unexpected issues.
- Gauging Their Community Presence: Does this builder have a strong and positive presence in your community? If they routinely involve themselves in local events or industry associations, it demonstrates a commitment to their community and industry and indicates that they value long-term relationships.
Construction Quality & Past Work
A portfolio will tell you a lot about the quality of a home builder’s work. A portfolio can also inspire you because you can find designs that may align with your specific vision.
When you look through their portfolio, do all of their custom homes look the same? If so, this is a bad sign. You want to look for design diversity, which indicates flexibility and creativity.
A portfolio can also help you evaluate the company’s ability to handle large or complex projects. Experience with a range of project sizes and complexities suggests a higher skill level and ability to adapt.
Communication & Collaboration Process
A custom home builder’s dedication to communication and collaboration is just as important as their craftsmanship because proper communication sets the foundation for a successful project.
You and the builder should have clear, open discussions about processes, timelines, and budgets, and they should be willing to address potential challenges head-on.
A builder’s conflict resolution skills and ability to adapt also play a significant role in project success. Your builder should be flexible in adapting to changes and adept at navigating through the inevitable challenges that arise during construction projects. And, when changes happen or challenges arise, your builder should keep you updated. Returning to the first section—remember the importance of speaking to a builder’s references. How have past clients felt about your potential builder’s communication skills?
And don’t overlook how they communicate with you during the initial consultation. While first impressions can sometimes be incorrect, it’s important to notice how this builder makes you feel. Based on the initial conversation, do they seem like someone who will value your opinion and vision? If not, it’s time to continue your search.
Pricing & Transparency
You already know how important pricing is. Most people going into a custom home build project have a budget that they either won’t or financially can’t go over. That’s why you need a builder who is upfront about costs and demonstrates honesty and reliability.
Your builder should provide feedback when specific features or items you want in your home will put you over budget and offer cost-effective alternatives to ensure you can still achieve your vision.
It’s also important to remember that while the lowest quote might be tempting, it shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision. Consistency in pricing, coupled with a reputation for quality and reliability, often results in better long-term value for your home.
Warranties & Ongoing Support
Lastly, you must consider warranties and post-project support.
Warranties reflect a builder’s confidence in their work while protecting you from unforeseen expenses due to defects or issues that may occur post-construction. Before starting a project, always ask the builder what their warranty covers and its duration to ensure you’ll have adequate protection.
Offering post-construction support also shows the builder’s commitment to establishing long-term relationships with their clients. When you choose a builder that offers post-construction services, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they will be there for you to help quickly resolve issues and understand the maintenance needs for different appliances and features in your home.
Start Your Search With Cherry Creek Building
Cherry Creek Building has been designing custom homes throughout Michigan for over 30 years.
No matter what type of project we manage, we’re committed to client satisfaction and service excellence. Before the process begins, you will be connected with a design professional for your unique project. Your building partner will help you select the best location for your lifestyle, collaborate with you on your home’s design, including choosing the best features for your budget, and manage the build from start to finish. You’ll be updated every step of the way. Once our work is complete, you’ll receive a comprehensive warranty and continued support from our team. We also provide various financing options and a referral rewards program.
Please visit our website to learn more about our available custom home models, or contact us today to request a project consultation.