Tips for Choosing a Reputable Custom Home Builder

Being in a position to build a custom home is a considerable achievement. Your success means you can create the home of your dreams, but the journey from vision to reality can be long. It starts with investing the time to select the best custom home builder for your project.
Your satisfaction depends heavily upon choosing the right builder. You need to find a company that knows how to build the type of home you desire and has a good reputation for quality and transparency.
Find Custom Home Builders in Your Area
Before you can dig into a builder’s reputation, identify what companies serve your desired location.
To make a list of prospective builders:
- Contact local home builders associations. One easy way to find them is through the National Association of Home Builders directories.
- Search the internet for “home builders,” “luxury home builders,” or “custom home builders” in your region.
- Ask friends and colleagues who had custom homes built for referrals.
Now that you know who’s available, you can move through the process of eliminating some companies and determining which ones to ask for a quote.
Investigate Home Builders
Because hiring a builder is a significant investment, any company you’re considering should have a website. The lack of a website could indicate a new company that lacks the infrastructure to handle customer communication.
1. Read Online Reviews
Most builders should have a Google My Business (GMB) profile that pulls up on Google searches. These listings should contain reviews. Look over the reviews to see what others have said.
Many builders have Facebook business pages where customers can leave reviews. These will also give you insight into the company’s reputation.
Beyond these business reviews, you can look more deeply for online information, especially at the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Due to the high dollar values involved in building a custom home, people who suffered bad outcomes are likely to lodge a complaint with the BBB.
As a good internet sleuth, you can search for the company name plus the term “reviews” or “disputes.” Then refine your search results by clicking the “news” category. This can yield results of company information reported to local news outlets.
2. Confirm Contractor Licensing
State regulators issue licenses to contractors in the construction trades. In Florida, you can verify a contractor’s license through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation. This quick search lets you know if a company’s license is in good standing.
Additionally, you may need to check with the city or county where you intend to build to see if a contractor must be registered in that locality.
3. Confirm Contractor Insurance and Bonding
Request the company’s insurance policy information. The company needs to have liability and workers’ compensation policies.
Once you get the policy carrier and number, a quick phone call to the insurer will let you know if the policy is active.
Construction companies must be bonded. This financial instrument provides customers with another level of financial protection. When you ask for the insurance information, ask about the bond as well.
4. Ask to See Homes Built by the Company
Home builders may have model homes that you can tour and inspect the quality of construction. Ask if they have a portfolio for viewing. These generally include interior and exterior photos and plan drawings.
Some builders participate in Tour of Homes events. Often these include homes previously built and occupied by owners. It’s another excellent way to inspect the quality of the builder’s homes.
5. Ask for References
A reputable home builder will not hesitate to provide references. Good companies understand that you need to perform due diligence before signing a big contract.
Former clients will provide the best insights about the home builder. They are likely to willingly share their opinions, whether positive, negative, or somewhere in between.
6. Ask About Subcontractors
Home builders use subcontractors for many portions of the build. A reputable company will have established relationships with subcontractors and can provide a list.
A builder that won’t say who will be subcontracting at your home site is a company should raise a red flag.
7. Ask to See the Standard Contract
Builders’ contracts are usually fixed-price or cost-plus. A fixed-price contract commits to completing the job for a specific price unless you make changes midstream. With a cost-plus contract, you agree to pay a certain amount on top of expenses.
By reviewing the standard contract, you learn the expectations of both parties. You may wish to consult an attorney to ensure you understand the fine print. Once you understand the proposed deal, you can decide which details warrant further negotiation.
Evaluate Builder Bids for Your Home
The best bids are thorough and address a broad range of details. A bid that lacks detail could be a warning sign the company did not put sufficient effort and thought into writing it. This behavior hints at how the organization will approach the build.
Refrain from automatically favoring the lowest bid. It’s not necessarily bad, but a company that bids higher might deliver better value and satisfy you more.
Home Builders at Bella Collina
Thirty minutes west of Orlando lies Bella Collina, a tranquil golf community alongside Lake Siena and Lake Apopka. Multiple award-winning custom home builders partner with our community to craft exceptional homes.
Our location in Central Florida places you among picturesque green hills. The Tuscan architecture of Bella Collina’s clubhouse inspires the community’s look that feels like an Old World Mediterranean estate.
The amenities within the 1,900-acre private community ensure a life of luxury. Residents enjoy:
- World-class golfing and golf instruction
- Spa
- Wedding and events venue
- Fine dining
- Fitness center
- Resort-style swimming
- Tennis
We’ve made every effort to ensure that building a custom home at Bella Collina is a rewarding and satisfying experience. Reach out to us today about joining our exclusive community.