The right contractor can make all the difference in the quality of your custom home. It’s crucial to find one that’s experienced, knowledgeable and willing to work with you to create the house you want.
Whether you’re building a new custom home or renovating an existing home, the construction process can be long and complicated. The right builder can help you avoid costly delays and unexpected obstacles while creating a high-quality, timeless home for you and your family to enjoy.
The first step in evaluating a potential Boise custom home builder is to get referrals from other professionals, tradespeople and building inspectors. Look for a builder with an established reputation in your area and an extensive portfolio of work.
You can also ask friends and family who have built a custom home in the past or see if they have a referral from an architect or designer.
Once you’ve narrowed your list of candidates, you can schedule a face-to-face meeting with each one to talk about the specifics of your project. During this meeting, you’ll be able to share your wish list and expectations for your new home.
In addition, you’ll want to discuss your budget, including any limitations you may have on how much you can spend. This will allow the builder to provide you with an accurate cost estimate and a timeline for the project.
After this, you’ll want to compare the quotes that each builder has given you. Generally, builders work with either a fixed price contract or a cost-plus no gross maximum price (GMP) plan.
A good custom home builder will provide you with an honest and accurate cost estimate so you can make an informed decision on which company to choose for your project. This price will include all of the materials, labor, and fees involved in building your home.
It’s always a good idea to request a tour of their home under construction or their model home before making any decisions. This will allow you to get a better understanding of the quality of their work and how they treat their customers.
The right custom home builder will listen to you and communicate effectively with you and your architect or design team, ensuring that all parties have the same vision for your home. This will prevent miscommunications and unnecessary tension which can lead to schedule delays and extra costs, says Marty Kirchner, co-owner of Kirchner Custom Builders in Houston.
Lastly, you’ll want to ask about their experience with change orders. Many custom homes require a significant amount of change orders throughout the construction process, so you’ll want to know that your builder has a system in place for documenting changes, presenting them to you and obtaining your approval before they can go forward.
You should also consider your lot and location before deciding which custom home builder to hire. Choosing the right lot will impact the layout and style of your home. Check the soil and slope, as well as any other possible hazards in your neighborhood to ensure that the lot is suited for a custom home.