As in most industries, not all custom home builders are created equal.  We have seen so many custom builders come and go over the years.  As a result we have seen so many problems and frustrations left with homeowners.  As we all know, you can always find someone cheaper to complete a construction job if you are willing to look hard enough, but what are you sacraficing ... quality, craftsmanship, supervision, piece of mind?  

It is important to get an understanding of what exactly you are getting with your new custom home. We always say a builder and client are like husband and wife and essentially married to each other during the job - remember there is a honeymoon period as well!  It is important that the job is a good fit for both the homeowners and builder.

 

Over the last 25 years we have compiled the very best and short of saying the only important questions to ask in solidifying your builder selection process. 

1.) There is a law in Texas about co-mingling funds. What practice do you use to ensure that this does not happen from job to job?

2.) You’re a small company, in the case that something tragic happens to the owner of your company, what operations do you have in place to ensure that my project will not be put on hold and will still be completed by the original projected timeline?

3.) Say we get into a dispute halfway through construction, how do you safeguard thorough accounting of my project on a daily, weekly, monthly basis?

4.) What is the education level and background experience of the owner of your company as well as the respective staff employees working on my project?

5.) What is the legal name of the entity that I will contract with if I choose to build with you? Has that name ever changed within the last 5 years? If so, what is the previous name?

6.) Are any of the entities, as named in the previous question, currently involved in any legal proceedings? If yes, please EXPLAIN I will be verifying your response.

7.) Are you willing to provide a list of homeowner references for current and past clients, as well as a list of current subcontractor and supplier references? This includes, but is not limited to, concrete, lumber, carpenter, roofer, appliances, plumbing supplier, and all mechanical contractors.

8.) Are you willing to provide references for interim construction lenders, company banks, accountant, and your legal representation?

9.) How many projects do you have on the books at this time? Where are they located?

10.) What is your goal for project supervision on my project? Who will manage the day to day operations on my project and how many other projects will that person have at the same time?


Before you enter into your agreement for the construction of improvements to your real property, make sure that you have thoroughly investigated your contractor. Obtain and verify references from other people who have used the contractor for the type and size of construction project on your property.

If you are in the market to build a custom home we would love to meet with you.  Please give us a call and we will personally go over our answers to these questions with you. You cannot afford to make the wrong decision!