21 Questions to Ask Your Home Builder Before Construction

You’ve spent months — maybe even years — planning and designing your dream home. Don’t trust just anyone to bring your vision to life. You need to conduct thorough interviews with every home builder you’re considering for this project. In this article, we’ll share vital questions for each potential contractor and when to ask them in the process. The answers you get can lead you to your perfect home.

Questions About the Builder’s Qualifications

You need to make sure your contractor’s qualifications live up to your standards. Ask every home builder you interview about their experience to make sure their skill set aligns with your wants and needs. 

How long have you been in business?

The quality of your new home is directly related to the ability and experience of the contractor you select. While you shouldn’t base your decision on the contractor who’s been in the industry the longest, you’ll want one who has been in the business long enough to develop some legitimate skill and talent. Keep in mind that there’s no correct number of years here. Just make sure to select a home builder with experience building at least a few homes that are similar to the type of home you are planning. 

Are you licensed and insured?

Don’t move forward with a contractor if they do not have the proper licenses and insurance. You need to financially protect yourself if something goes wrong on the job and your project gets shut down. A legitimate home builder will have no problem showing you their proof of insurance — in fact, they’ll likely display it somewhere on their website. 

Make sure they have the correct licenses for your state as well. Some states require home builders to be licensed and others do not. You’d be liable for any unlicensed contractors working on a property you own, so read up on the rules and regulations of your state.  

What sets you apart from other builders?

If you’re building a custom home, you’re likely envisioning living there for the foreseeable future. You don’t want your dream home to resemble a generic model home. Find out what makes each of the home builders you are interviewing different from the rest. 

While you need to keep your expectations realistic here, you should still go with a contractor that feels like a fit to you. Even if they simply just feel more passionate than the other candidates, that will be reflected in the quality of your home. 

Can I see customer testimonials?

You can learn a lot about a home builder by reviewing their previous work. Ask for references from previous customers. You can even try contacting those previous customers to chat about their experience with your potential contractor. Browse online reviews in order to come to an unbiased opinion. 

If a home builder provides you with a customer reference, that person will likely provide a glowing review. You’ll probably also find some negative reviews online. Don’t be discouraged by a few less-than-positive reviews though — all businesses have some. But if you see any concerning and repetitive red flags, don’t go into business with that contractor. 

Do you have any show homes I can tour?

Home builders often have display homes in neighborhoods they are developing. If the builders you are considering have any new homes available to visit, book a tour before making any decisions. Viewing a display home is a great way to see what that contractor is capable of. But if that builder doesn’t have any display homes available, ask if there are any built for other customers that you can take a look at. 

Do you have experience building the style of home I want?

While you shouldn’t compromise on the style of home you want, you need to understand that your vision may present challenges to certain home builders. Make sure the contractor you select either specializes in the specific style you’re looking for or has the experience that can fit your needs. This makes the builder’s job easier, as they’ll have a better idea of what to expect as they begin the job. 

Questions About Costs of the Construction Process

At this point, you undoubtedly understand that building a custom home is a costly undertaking. But you shouldn’t pay more than you’re comfortable with or can afford. Ask the following questions about construction costs before moving forward with a home builder.

 

 

Can you tell me about your estimating process?

You want to make sure your contractor has a thorough estimating process so you’re not in for any surprises on the final bill. A home builder’s preliminary estimate will be based on historical hard costs and current market pricing. The budget estimate, which is completed after plans and specs are finalized, is based on hard bids from vendors and subcontractors they work with. Compare estimates from multiple contractors and go with the one you feel most comfortable with so you can begin budgeting right away. 

How can you ensure we stay on budget?

You deserve the home of your dreams, but it’s important to stick to a budget. Have an open and honest conversation with your home builder about their process for keeping projects on budget. Ask your contractor about their process for making sure their projects don’t go over the discussed cost. Their knowledge of tradeoffs for building performance and aesthetics can help you manage product selections to meet the goals for your new home.

Do you offer a warranty?

You may select the most skilled home builder in your area, but things in your home could still break after the construction process is over. Most reputable contractors will offer some kind of warranty to take care of these issues for a certain period of time after construction ends. But a warranty will only will only apply to certain repairs, for that specific time period. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with what your home builder offers before going into business with them. 

What is your change order process?

There’s a good chance that unforeseen changes to your house may arise during the construction process. When you’re charged for those changes, that’s referred to as a change order. Make sure you understand your contractor’s change order process. Ensure you understand their system for documenting changes, presenting costs and options to you, getting your approval, and efficiently implementing those changes.

What do you know about any rules and fees of the HOA?

If a builder has previously developed homes in the neighborhood you’re considering, they’ll likely know a bit about the homeowner’s association. If that’s the case, ask your contractor what they know about the HOA’s rules and fees, if there are any at all. This can help you be assured that your contractor won’t violate HOA rules, which could cause delays or could impact costs.

Questions About Communicating During the Construction Process

Once construction begins on your home, you should be kept in the loop about everything that’s happening. Ask the following questions to understand how your home builder will communicate with you and conduct themselves when building your home.

Who will be my main point of contact?

The person you’ve been interviewing as a potential home builder may not be the same person you’re most closely in contact with during the construction process. If your main point of contact ends up being someone else, understand how to get in touch with them. You should have all their contact information before getting started and know their process for sending project updates. 

How long do you anticipate construction lasting?

If you have a timeline in mind, discuss that with your contractor. The completion of your home may impact when you put your current house on the market, so it’s critical to know this information before they begin building. Keep in mind that supply back orders and weather may impact the length of construction. Make sure to allow yourself wiggle room in your timeline. 

What is your inspection/quality assurance process?

While you should select a home builder you fully trust, don’t overlook the importance of an inspection at the end of the construction process. Understand how often and when the house will be inspected, along with who will do the inspection. Don’t be afraid to pick a professional home inspector to do the job if needed.

What is your process for handling any issues that may arise during construction?

Talk to your builder about any serious issues or accidents they’ve dealt with in the past and learn how they resolved them. The information your builder shares will say a lot about the overall company’s character. If the circumstances surrounding the previous incidents make you uncomfortable, it’s not too late to back out of working with that particular contractor. 

How often can I access the home during the construction process?

Consider how often you want to see the progress of your house during construction. Coordinate with your builder to see how comfortable they are letting you access the home as much as you’d like to. If your contractor prefers a closed job site, try negotiating a few visits throughout the process. 

Questions about the Building and Design Process

Understanding your builder’s qualifications, the cost of the construction process, and the way contractors prefer to communicate is crucial before moving forward with anyone. But once you learn those necessary details, you can get to questions about the building and design details. 

Is landscaping included in your pricing?

Some home builders will include landscaping in their design process. If the contractor you select does, make sure you understand the details of what that entails. Ask the following questions:

• Will the builder put down grass seed?
• Is laying sod an option? 
• Will they do the entire yard? 
• Will they put in any plants, shrubs, or trees?

Have your contractor clearly lay out the costs of each part of the landscaping process. If they don’t offer landscaping, ask for a recommendation for a trusted third-party service. 

What standard features do you offer?

Every experienced builder offers standard features in their homes. Find out what is standard and find out what is extra. Make sure the things included are features you actually want in your home. You want to make sure you understand what you’re paying for before it’s too late. 

Are you open to customizations?

Think about the extra features that you’d like added to your home. If you have quite a few in mind, you’ll need a homebuilder who is flexible. Ask every contractor you’re interviewing about the upgrades that are available ahead of time. See how late into the construction process you’ll be able to request those upgrades or customizations. That way, you’ll be sure to get the exact home you want. 

How can I pick materials or fixtures for my home?

The finishing touches of your home should look the way you want. Ask each home builder you’re interviewing if they have specific materials and fixtures they prefer and how involved you can be in selecting those final details. Not every contractor will give you full control over this decision, so make sure you go with a builder who is at least willing to have a conversation about those choices.

What energy-saving features do you offer?

Not only are energy-efficient homes great for the environment, but they can save you a significant amount of money on your bills. Consider how important sustainability is to you and find a home builder who is willing to work with you on that need. See what energy-efficient features are included in the base price and which would be add-ons. Talk to your builder about the energy-efficient features that have been most popular in their previous homes as well. 

Conclusion

It’s important to ask the right questions of home builders to make sure your home building project proceeds smoothly and without surprises. The right home builder will be someone with whom you have good communication, and who understands your goals and aesthetic for your new home. Beattie Development has a long and successful track record as the premier home builder in southwest Florida. The photos in this blog post feature our most exciting new model, the Arcadian. Learn more about the incredible features of the Arcadian here.   

 

 

TL;DR — Asking the Right Questions Will Help You Find the Right Home Builder

You deserve the home of your dreams. Conduct thorough interviews with every home builder you’re considering for the project so you can get the home you want. Ask plenty of questions about the home builder’s qualifications, the costs of the construction process, communication during the process, and questions about the building and design process. The answers you receive will help to point you to the right contractor for you. 

We hope you’ll consider Beattie Development to build your dream home. Contact us today to start that conversation!