So, you have a plot of land and you’re looking to have a custom house built. That’s a great way to ensure that you have the exact home you want and that it’s constructed to your specifications using the latest innovations in home building.
But where do you go from here? How do you select the right local house builder to create your dream home? Where does one even start looking? And, once you’ve located the home builders in your area, how do you narrow it down to the right company for you?
Here are a few tips to make the process easier:
Start By Making a List of Builders in Your Area
Before you can make any choices as to who is going to build your new home, you must first see which companies are available to you. The number of home builders in your area depends largely on where your plot of land is located; custom-built homes are more popular in some places than others.
To find the home builders in your area, it’s easy enough to start with a simple internet search. If that doesn’t produce any results, you may want to try searching your local HBA (Homebuilders Association). Simply head to the National Association of Homebuilders’ website or the American Builders Networks’ website and click on or enter the location information that pertains to your property location. Soon, you’ll be able to compile a list of the businesses that construct homes in your area.
Research the Businesses
The next step is to do some research on the homebuilding companies you’re considering. Custom-built homes have become a popular trend lately and, as a result, a lot of companies have popped up almost overnight claiming they’ll create your dream home.
While some of these companies may be perfectly reputable, others are not. That’s why it’s best to look for a company that has already been around for a while. If a company has a few decades of business, they are probably doing something right. Even so, you can narrow your list down further by checking references and looking for testimonials from satisfied customers.
Read online reviews, talk to friends and family who have already had custom homes built, and even see if you can tour model or completed homes built by your prospective company.
Think About What You Want in a Home
Once you’ve eliminated the companies that don’t appear to have the experience or standards that you’re looking for, you should consider what your needs are for the home you’ll be living in.
You and your family may live in the house for a very long time, so give careful consideration to every element.
- How many bedrooms will you need?
- How many bathrooms?
- Do you want a one-story house or a two-story house?
- How about a garage?
Also, take your lifestyle into consideration. For example, if you are hoping to use your new home to entertain a lot of guests, you’ll probably need a large kitchen and dining room that serve as the central parts of your home.
Often, your best bet is to find a local homebuilder that can offer you a wide variety of options; at Madison Homebuilders, for example, we have over 30 different floor plans for you to choose from. With that much selection, you’re sure to find the home that’s right for you. Build any of our plans as designed, or customize your favorite Madison plan to suit your needs.
Consider How You’ll Pay
Needless to say, the financial element of owning a home requires careful consideration and can greatly affect which of your local home builders you end up choosing. Most homebuilders, for example, require a hefty down payment and application fee before they’ll start construction of your home. The second you sign the contract, you’re already spending money.
It’s good to look into companies that have financing options, as well. Most homebuilders require you to take out a construction loan ahead of your build. Expect to pay thousands in construction loan interest and fees over the life of your build. At Madison Homebuilders, we build homes based on the strength of our company. There is no construction loan required; thereby saving you thousands. We also have a number of lenders who know us well. We are happy to introduce you to one of them, or we can work with your lender if you prefer.
Getting these financial details right is critical before construction ever starts on your new home.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask a Lot of Questions
After going through the above steps, you’ll probably have narrowed down your choices of local home builders to one or maybe two. It’s one thing to choose a builder that looks great on paper. They may have a great reputation and the perfect financial plan, but you won’t want to sign a contract until you’ve had a chance to discuss it with them first.
Having a home built is one of the biggest life choices you can make and so you probably have many questions that you want to ask your home builders. Don’t be afraid to ask!
Ask if you can see examples of their craftsmanship before you commit to anything; examine the quality of their work. You’ll want to look at both a brand new home they’ve constructed and one that’s been standing for a number of years. That way, you can get an idea of how your new home will age. In both the older home and the newer home, look for signs of wear and damage. Examine the structure of the house; look for water damage and other stains.
If the work stands out, you may have just found the builder for your new home!