First Home Basics: Choosing A Builder

Choosing a Builder

Selecting the right builder for your new home is the most important decision you can make.

A quality home built by a reputable builder will serve your family for decades of birthday parties, holidays and backyard barbecues.

But a sub-par home from an unethical builder could end up costing your family thousands of dollars to repair and, more importantly, endanger your family’s health through shoddy workmanship and unsafe design.

So, what should you do before selecting a builder?

Ask around.
Ask your friends, coworkers, and family about their homebuying and homeowning experiences. Did their builder deliver the home as promised? Did their builder respond quickly to service issues? Have they experienced any major problems with their home since move-in?

Check references.
Contact the local chamber of commerce or Better Business Bureau to find out if any complaints have been lodged against the builders you are considering.

Sit down with the builder.
Visit the builder’s sales office and ask lots of questions. Is the counselor friendly and knowledgeable? Does the builder offer floor plans that fit your lifestyle and budget? Are the features you want in a home standard, or are they costly upgrades?

Tour the community.
Is the community well laid-out? Is it accessible to good schools, shopping and business centers? Is it in a pleasant setting?

Next Topic: Choosing A Neighborhood