Your builder is the person who turns an architect’s plans for your home into a physical reality. That means that selecting a builder is one of the most important decisions you can make when building a new home.

A good builder can make building your house a pleasant experience, while a bad builder can turn the process of creating your dream home into a nightmare. Finding a home builder requires doing a lot of research, but an in-depth search can pay off in the end.

How to Find a Builder

The first step in choosing a builder is deciding whether you want to work with a production builder, who builds a large number of homes with similar designs, or a custom home builder, who tend to build smaller numbers of unique houses. It is generally cheaper to work with a production builder. In addition, the limited number of options and the builder’s experience in building similar homes usually mean that your house will be completed sooner. A custom home builder, on the other hand, offers more flexibility, but at a higher cost.

To find a builder, you can contact your local home building association, which should be able to provide a list of area builders. Newspaper ads, real estate agents and people you know can also be good sources of referrals. If you are working with an architect, they may be able to connect you with builders they’ve worked with in the past.

Questions to Ask

Before choosing a builder, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are there any complaints against the builder with the Better Business Bureau?
• Does the builder have insurance? An uninsured builder can put you at risk.
• Has the builder built similar homes in the past?
• How easy is it to communicate with the builder?
• How long has the builder been in business?
• Is the builder financially stable?
• What do previous clients have to say about the builder? Are their recommendations positive?
• What is the quality of the builder’s previous work?
• What kind of contract does the builder provide?

It’s important to find a builder with whom you are compatible. While it may be tempting to choose a builder based solely on price, this is usually not a good idea. It’s particularly important to be wary of unusually low bids, as they may be a sign that a builder is willing to cut corners. Your home is a major investment, so you want to strike a balance between affordability and quality.