The Most Important Questions to Ask Your Builder Before Building a Custom Home
The decision to build a custom home comes with many questions. At OYL Homes, we will guide you through the home-building process. Here are five important questions for your builder before building your custom home.
5 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Custom Home Builder
To build a custom home, you need to narrow down your list and select a custom home builder. Gather a list of potential builders in Maryland. Then, interview them to choose the right one. Interviewing custom builders also means having a face-to-face meeting.
Before you do, make a list of the custom homebuilder questions that you want to ask. Here are the top 5 questions to ask your builder:
What is the builder’s process?
How much experience does your builder have?
Who are the builder’s main vendors and subcontractors, and what is their track record?
Does the builder have a reputation for paying on time?
Are you comfortable with the builder’s team members you will be working with and the handoffs from one expert to another throughout the home-building process?
Make sure to review these questions on your own. Know your preferences and the answers to these questions before you interview builders. Also, make sure to ask the same questions to all of them. This is how you identify the best custom home builder for your project.
Here are more details to help you understand this list of questions to ask a custom home builder.
1. What Is the Builder’s Process?
Your builder can make or break your entire custom home build experience. A good builder will take the time and patiently answer your questions. On Your Lot Homes offers a nuts-to-bolts home-building service that starts when you choose your lot and ends when the mulch has been laid around your new plants. We pay meticulous attention to the construction of your home, keeping you informed and ensuring the project stays on time. As the project nears completion, we provide you with a checklist to prepare you for life in your new custom home.
Understanding Custom Home Base Pricing: What Are Standard Features?
Before the customization starts, ask your builder about custom home standard features. What base features does a new home include? Which items are non-standard add-ons or upgrades? Make sure to ask about a garage, finished basement, deck, landscaping, and fencing. These features may be considered add-ons depending on the builder.
How Does Your Builder Customize a New Home?
Next, how will you future-proof your custom home? Ask your builder about how they plan for your future needs. For example, consider a cost-saving, energy-efficient home. Your design should include smart home technology and suitable building materials.
Want to maximize the resale value of your new home? Maximizing resale value may require adding flex space or additional bathrooms. Often more than the standard custom home design is required. At OYL Homes, we make custom homes more personalized to your needs, so definitely consider it!
2. How Much Experience Does Your Custom Home Builder Have?
How much experience does a builder have? Ask a Maryland custom builder about their reputation. At OYL Homes, our home-building expertise is backed by $1 billion in transactions. Our custom-building process designs homes while maximizing resale value where our clients require it.
As a result, it is important to decide on your goals first. Ensure the builder has experience building your type of custom home. Ask specifically about the experience that the individual team members have in this area. The next step is reviewing completed projects and the builder’s references.
To help you to shortlist candidates, a top custom home builder should have the following:
A current portfolio of completed projects
Track record with custom home projects of similar scale and detail to yours
Team communication skills
Organizational skills
Client references
Time management skills
Workflows for managing the home-building process with clients
Successful transactions are a part of what goes into selecting a builder. It may come down to the warranty, custom options included with the base pricing, community reputation, or other factors. At OYL Homes, we have a proven record of success with hundreds of custom homes built.
3. Who Are the Custom Home Builder Vendors and Subcontractors?
Who are your custom home builder’s vendors? What are these vendors’ reputations? Make sure that all vendors are licensed and insured. Home builders typically work with vendors for jobs that require special licenses, such as electricians and plumbers. Learn about the vendors' licensing, accreditation, and professional affiliations that support their experience.
Does your builder have liability insurance? A reputable home builder also carries liability insurance to protect your project. At On Your Lot Homes, we provide a comprehensive warranty through a trusted national insurer.
We ensure you are covered, but you should check with all potential builders. Learn what is included in a warranty. A warranty typically covers elements like flooring, wiring, appliances, fixtures, and tile work.
4. Are the Builder’s Vendors Paid on Time?
Are the vendors paid on time? This is important to know, as delayed payments could delay your project. Some vendors use milestone payments, while others pay after completing the job.
Learn about how long your home builder has worked with vendors and their previous work. At OYL Homes, we maintain close relationships with trade partners in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. This is how we ensure that only trusted vendors work on our projects.
5. How Does the Builder’s Team Work Together?
Communication during the home-building process is very important. Custom home builders typically use construction management software to manage the builder’s plans. Ask potential builders what system they use to learn about what to expect.
Furthermore, there should be a single point of contact, your construction manager. It is how you arrange site visits during construction to check that everything is going to plan.
How Does the Builder Communicate With You?
How does your builder communicate with you? How often do you prefer to receive updates? How soon will you be notified of potential delays? How often will you receive updates before, during, and after construction?
Align your communications with your home builder from the start. This helps to ensure a smooth relationship from day one. This is also the time to get a good understanding of what to expect if a problem arises. Learn if you will be notified and consulted before the team makes a decision to remedy the issue.
Answering these questions will help you determine whether you feel comfortable. You will work closely with the builder's team members throughout construction.
6. Is the Builder Realtor Friendly?
A builder is very Realtor friendly if they understand the importance of utilizing a Realtor during the building process. If you already have a Realtor who helped you find the land on which you plan to build, they can continue to assist you throughout the home design phase. Your home builder should recognize the value that Realtors bring in terms of providing information and answering questions about the potential resale value of different features you may want to include in your new home. They prioritize a strong working relationship with Realtors and understand that their involvement can greatly benefit homeowners.
7. Do they design the house with the client's budget in mind and create a unique spec sheet per house?
When working with a home designer or builder, it is essential to understand how they approach the client's budget and specifications. Here are some aspects to consider:
1. Budget-conscious design: A reputable designer or builder will prioritize understanding the client's budget. They will work closely with the client to create a design that aligns with their financial goals while still meeting their needs and desires for the home.
2. Customized spec sheet: To ensure accuracy and transparency, the designer or builder should create a unique spec sheet for each house. This document provides detailed specifications, including the materials, finishes, fixtures, and other components of the house. A customized spec sheet ensures that all client preferences and budgetary constraints are considered during the design and construction process.
3. Allowances for items: Many projects may include allowances, which are predetermined amounts set aside in the contract for specific items. These allowances can cover materials like flooring or installed items such as countertops. By incorporating allowances, the client has flexibility in selecting their desired options within the budget.
4. Allowance for personal items or working with preferred trades: Some designers or builders may allow clients to bring in their own items for the home or collaborate with preferred tradespeople. This approach can provide cost control benefits and allow clients to personalize their home with particular items or work with trades they trust.
By discussing these aspects with the designer or builder, clients can ensure that their budget is considered throughout the design process, and they receive a customized spec sheet that meets their desires and financial requirements.
Questions? Ask OYL Homes Custom Home Builders in Maryland
On Your Lot Homes is here to guide you through the home-building process. Learn how to maximize your resale value while customizing your new home. For answers to all your questions, contact us today at (833) 289-6954 or reach us via email at build@oylhomes.com.
What resources are available for further information?
There are several resources available for further information on various topics related to building a custom home. These resources include ebooks, blog posts, and testimonials. Here is a brief overview of the resources you can explore:
1. Ebooks: There are three ebooks that cover different aspects of building a custom home. The ebook “Building your Own Home for Dummies" provides an easy-to-follow guide that shows you how to plan and build a beautiful home on any budget. From acquiring land to finding the best architect to overseeing the construction, you get lots of savvy tips on managing your new investment wisely -- and staying sane during the process!
2. Blog: Our blog section provides a range of informative articles that can help you make informed decisions when building your own home. For example, one blog post addresses the question of how to pay for a custom home, offering various financing options and tips. Another article provides a comprehensive list of crucial questions to ask when selecting a builder and embarking on a home-building journey. Additionally, there are blog posts specifically dedicated to designing home plans suitable for a rural lifestyle.
3. Testimonials: OYL Homes receives high praise from satisfied customers. One testimonial, in particular, is from Don Fitzgerald, a real estate agent who highly values the exceptional service provided by OYL Homes. This positive endorsement highlights the reliability and expertise of the company, making it a trusted resource for those in the real estate industry.
By utilizing these resources, you can gain further knowledge and insights about the custom home-building process, financing options, land acquisition, and more. Whether you are a homeowner, real estate agent, or simply interested in learning more, these resources are invaluable in your pursuit of building the perfect dream home.
