Not all builders are created equally. It may seem obvious, but without knowing how to distinguish between average builders and great ones, there’s a long road between someone who gets the job done and someone who builds homes that feel constructed properly and demand little maintenance. Anyone can hammer nails and install windows in the residential construction industry. This is not a field where it takes a genius to get the job done, but it does take someone who cares about the job enough to pay attention to detail. Here are a few signs that will help you distinguish between an average builder and a great Custom Home Builder.
They Communicate Like Adults (And Mean It)
Let’s get real – construction is all about communication. Construction involves hundreds of decisions, changes, and updates daily. Great builders do not go into hiding for days without responding to messages inquiring about their well-being. Instead, they call back in a timely fashion, they avoid making you feel like a fool for asking a clarifying question, and they explain in layman’s terms what issues arise.
Great builders do not wait for you to ask for an update – they provide photos and provide assessments of the project as it progresses. They note any concerns before it becomes a billable problem, and they provide realistic timeframes instead of fabricating timelines to get your job. And when something goes wrong (and something will always go wrong), they don’t say, “Well, my contractor did this” – they own up to their mistakes.
Not only should the builder communicate like this, but the project manager, site supervisor, and foreman should operate under the same level of professionalism. If the workers are slovenly and no one knows how to answer basic questions about things they’ve been doing for days, that’s a red flag the size of Texas.
Their Work Shows Consistency – Not Just Selected Pictures
Anyone can construct one great home from the ground up. However, great builders construct many homes and finish with incredible aesthetic value month after month, year after year. When reviewing potential builders’ past works, look closely at pictures that are not always on display. Pay attention to door frames, installations, how doors hang, if tile lines are straight – and not due to angles of the camera set up.
Homes that work better with a custom builder are often those built by someone who sticks to quality standards for all clients than those who work only for cheap prices. While it’s great to find a good deal, finishing details may differ – details that seem arbitrary but can ultimately make or break if a home feels good – or just okay.
Ask to see homes that are five years or ten years down the line, not just immediately after they’re built. Good constructs will last. Paint shouldn’t be peeling, floor tiles shouldn’t be buckling away from each other, and foundation work should be good enough for you not to notice any additional effort over time. Quality builders will gladly connect interested potential clients with previous clients who will explain how things have held up long after the last walkthrough.
They Actually Understand Design (Beyond Pinterest Boards)
Good builders can follow a plan drawn up by an architect. Great builders understand why things are placed properly and improperly and what changes can be made while staying within legal requirements to keep costs low.
Great builders know how far apart two beams should be based on certain materials – the answer cannot be made solely because it looks nice on paper. They appreciate windows positioned at strategic angles for natural light and know what types of materials to use considering local weather patterns.
This doesn’t mean they’ll force you to adapt your vision; however, they won’t keep their mouths shut if there are constructed realities beyond homeowners’ Pinterest boards.
Too many builders underthink the ultimate job – what happens after construction is in play. Great builders want what’s best for you now and in the future. They ask proper follow-up questions during the design phase to avoid problems later by thinking ahead instead of thinking ‘in the now.’ They think three steps down the line about interconnected systems and rooms’ actual function.
They Have Real Relationships With Subcontractors
Let’s face it – Residential construction comprises electrical installations with HVAC workers, plumbers with concrete erectors, and other people who create systems – for better or worse. Builders who consistently work with certain subcontractors yield better results than those who hire cheap laborers on the fly with no accountability; after all, these subs have their futures at stake.
When subs work with one builder consistently over time, they know the standard that builder expects and will lose out on future financing if they cut corners. They arrive when they’re supposed to; they do the work right; and they stand behind whatever they’ve created or decided.
This also means proper accountability when problems arise because a solid subcontractor relationship can get someone back on-site in no time if needed months down the line for electrical issues that don’t work anymore. Builders who go piecemeal with random subs have no skin in the game regarding warranty work needed post-project.
They’re Transparent About Costs (Even If They’re Discomforting)
Great builders provide detailed estimates that break down where money is going. They don’t skimp on vague line items nor resist explaining why something costs what it does as long as it’s within reason. Builders with real accountability will also provide conversations upfront – before construction begins – about what may have to be cut mid-project instead of waiting until mid-project.
Builders who charge a nominal fee for high-quality labor understand upfront that quality materials cost money but save clients money long-term should structures be put in place correctly.
They Don’t Sugarcoat Pricing
If someone tells you how much materials cost but fails to pay attention to labor rates, they’re not looking out for what’s best for their clients; they’re looking out for what’s easiest for themselves.
They’re also upfront about change orders. Everyone will want something modified while undergoing creation – it’s basically inevitable. But quality builders have clear parameters regarding timeliness and pricing while documenting everything in writing if there needs to be legal recourse down the line.
They Keep Their Job Sites Clean and Organized
Walk onto an active site constructed by a quality builder, and you’ll feel the difference immediately; tools are put where they need to go; materials are protected from rain and sun, debris is cleaned regularly, and there’s almost a sense of symmetry – even if it’s in construction motion.
It’s not pretty; it’s well run – and recognized for efficiency.
Messy sites have materials bent out of shape, safety concerns arise – and time is wasted when people cannot find things or work efficiently. They also signal organizational concern across other issues, something quality builders don’t stand for when they’re the top dog on their own job.
The Aftercare Follow-Up
Most people don’t think about this – they just want to move into their forever home – but if builders have their client’s best interests at heart, they care about all changes that need to happen once occupants take ownership.
Quality builders follow up with their clients three months down the line to see what’s functioning properly or not. They stand behind quality service without making them fight for retention of any repairs. Average builders ghost them as soon as final payment is made; reputable quality builders know how their reputation works down the line over time compared to finished photos.
Construction and working with builders require patience; waiting lists exist based on performance reviews and safety ratings over time.
Finding a builder who excels in all areas takes research efforts, but it’s worth it when final quality results – and building experiences – all signal how your home will stand as an investment for one of your largest investments ever made!
