10 Essential Questions To Ask Your Custom Home Builder

Planning to build your dream home? Then selecting the right custom home builder is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. While asking potential builders different questions may feel intimidating, it's nonetheless necessary. Arriving at interviews with a thoughtfully prepared list will not only guide your decision-making, but also help ensure the best possible outcome.

Take the time to ask the right questions, and you’ll learn more about what to expect, how much it will cost, and which builder is the ideal one to meet your needs.

Bennefield Construction is a trusted name in custom home building, and we know the importance of clear communication. We’ve built a variety of homes to showcase our ability, and we want yours to be next. Here are ten essential questions you should ask when selecting a custom home builder.

Can You Share Your Background in Custom Home Construction?

The best predictor of future success is past success. Ask your custom home builder about their tenure in the industry and the types of homes they have built. An experienced builder will be better equipped to handle the unique challenges that arise when building a custom home. That being said, don’t shy away from newer builders who are innovative and hard-working as they look to make a name for themselves.

Are You Properly Licensed and Insured?

Some areas mandate specific licenses, and others don’t. The requirements vary by region. However, it’s always best to check that your custom home builder is properly licensed, as this ensures they meet local building codes and standards. Don’t be shy—ask to see their licenses or check online for confirmation.

The same rules apply for insurance. A credible custom home builder will be able to prove that they are fully insured, protecting both you and their team throughout the construction process. This coverage should include general liability and workers' compensation, ensuring you're not held responsible for accidents or damages on the job site. 

Always ask for proof of licensing and insurance.

How Do You Determine the Cost Estimates for a Build?

Cost transparency should be (and likely already is) front of mind when selecting a custom home builder. Their preliminary estimate should reflect historical costs and the current market; a more detailed budget will be developed once plans are completed. Your builder should obtain multiple bids to get the best work done at the best price. Costs should be laid out clearly, for example:

• Labor Expenses: 40%
• Material Costs: 50%
• Administrative, Design, and Permitting Fees: 10%
• Budget Contingency: 20%

What is Your Proposed Timeline for the Project, and How Do You Address Delays?

Building a custom home is a big project, and planning your life around that is not always easy. Understanding the timeline for your home build can help you mitigate hiccups, and your custom home builder should be able to help you do that. Ask how delays like material shortages or inclement weather will be managed, and see if they’ve included a buffer zone to account for these kinds of hard to predict circumstances.

Important to note, the timelines for a custom home typically ranges anywhere from 10 to 24 months.

How Frequently Can Buyers Visit the Construction Site?

As the homeowner, it is important to stay informed throughout the construction process, and one way to do that is through regular site visits. Find out if your custom home builder has specific times allotted for visits, or if they offer flexible access based on your needs. Walk-throughs allow you to monitor progress, address concerns, and ensure everything is going to plan.

What Will Builder-Buyer Communication Look Like During the Construction Process?

Clear communication is important in any relationship, and the builder-buyer one is no different! Ask how often you will receive updates on the construction. Make it clear how you prefer to receive communication and who will be your primary point of contact. Establishing these things upfront makes all future updates and correspondence more likely to be smooth and efficient.

Do You Perform Quality Assurance Inspections During Construction?

To make sure that the work being done is being done at a high standard, quality assurance inspections are a must. Ask your custom home builder about their process for ensuring quality throughout the build. This will help you to better understand the framework that is in place to help guarantee that you get the highest quality home possible.

Can We Make Changes to Our Custom Home During the Building Process?

It is common for people to want to make changes while the home is being built, so it’s very important to understand how those requests will be handled with your custom home builder. Ask about what kind of flexibility you could expect when it comes to change orders, and also how additional costs or delays would be communicated.

Do You Have Testimonials from Past Clients for Reference?

Taking a look at the past reviews of a custom home builder is often a good indicator of what it’s like to work with them. Ask for testimonials from previous clients and, if you have the opportunity, ask those clients about the builder’s responsiveness and overall quality of the final product.You could even request a tour of a recently completed home to experience it firsthand.

What is Covered in Your Home Builder Warranty?

A good custom home builder warranty should cover structural elements, workmanship, and materials for a predetermined period of time. Take the time to understand what the warranty includes, doesn’t include, and how long it lasts. This will provide you with peace of mind should anything come up post-construction.

Your custom home builder should be able to provide you the following:

• A good reputation
• Licensing & insurance
• Cost-transparency
• Clear communication
• Realistic expectations

Bennefield Construction provides it all. We pride ourselves on the quality of our homes and the incredible customers we get to work for. Be our next success story—contact us today to start turning your dream into a reality!