Building a custom home can be a very exciting and rewarding experience. Being wise in choosing a builder is most important. Experience, knowledge and reputation of the builder should be foremost on your mind. Take the time - early in the process - to interview prospective builders.

• What is their experience in the industry?

• How long have they been in the building business?

• How long have they owned their own business?

• Does your builder belong to a trade association?

• What do they do for ongoing education?

• What trade magazines do they subscribe to?

• What kind of community reputation does your prospective builder have?

• Does the builder have a list of references of previous customers? This can go a long way in determining reputation.

• Is the builder actively involved in the community by serving on boards, committees, etc.

Knowledge of construction products and techniques is imperative. You also want somebody who has stood the test of time. Long after the home is completed, you will depend upon your builder for care and maintenance of your home.

There are various forms of contracting methods available in building custom homes, including turnkey, design-build and cost-plus contracts. Determining which contracting method works best for you depends upon your ability to make decisions and your budget.

• Turnkey contracting involves hiring a general contractor to build your home with everything spelled out thoroughly in a detailed contract with all pricing firmly set and all specifications pre-determined.

• The design-build approach brings together both design and construction experience, usually resulting in a greater continuity of service.

• Cost-plus contracting allows you, the homeowner, the greatest flexibility during construction. However, a final cost will not be determined until completion of the project.

Contact us for more information about choosing a builder. Give us your name and postal address and we will send you a free brochure describing the process of choosing a builder.