20 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Custom Home Builder

Among the many decisions you’ll have to make when building a luxury custom home, none is more important than choosing the builder who will bring your dream home to life.

There are many custom home builders, but not all of them will suit your specific needs well. You’ll want to interview a least a few different builders who appear to offer what you’re looking for before making your decision.

Here are 20 questions to include when interviewing prospective custom home builders.

1. How long have you built custom homes in the Denver Metro Area?

You want a home builder who’s not just skilled but experienced specifically in building in the Denver Metro Area and Jefferson County. Prospect 30 Eight Construction has been a luxury custom home builder in this area for over 16 years.

2. What differentiates you from other luxury custom home builders?

This is a great question! Learn what your builder considers the differentiators that set them apart from other builders. In our case, we believe that the skill of our people sets us apart. Our tradespeople, architects, vendors, and designers are all licensed experts in their fields.  We use cutting-edge equipment and innovative construction techniques to achieve top-quality and beautiful results at a fair price.

3. Can I see a portfolio of homes you have built?

Even if a custom home builder has a model home available to tour, ask to see a portfolio of their work. It will provide more information on the architectural styles with which they have worked.

4. What licenses and insurance do you maintain?

You want a custom home builder who is licensed, bonded, and carries sufficient business insurance for general liability, workers’ compensation, etc. Ask to see their licenses and policies.

5. Can I see your client testimonials?

If there’s anything that a quality custom home builder should be proud of, it’s their client testimonials. Ask your prospective home builder for reviews from clients they’ve built for.

6. Do you help the homeowner choose a site?

We are pleased to recommend sites that are well-suited to the goals you have expressed for your new home. If you’ve already chosen a site, we’ll inspect it to confirm its compatibility with your plans.

7. Have you built a home in this architectural style before?

If you already have a particular style in mind before interviewing potential custom home builders, ask the candidates about their experience building that style. While it’s not necessarily essential that a  builder has experience with your preferred home style, finding out that they do can add weight in their favor as you narrow down your selection process.

8. How much can I customize my home once I choose a home plan?

Any significant changes to plans should be made before your custom home builder breaks ground to avoid possible project delays or cost increases. However, some revisions to design elements, such as trim and finishes, can usually be made well into the construction process if necessary. Prospect 30 Eight Construction strives to provide our customers with the utmost flexibility.

9. Do you build custom floor plans?

Design-build contractors such as Prospect 30 Eight Construction have architects on staff. Not only do we offer pre-planned home designs, but we also work with customers to develop unique designs to fit their specific vision.

10. Do you use specialty contractors?

Custom home builders often use trade partners for certain aspects of the home building process, such as HVAC or concrete contractors. Ask questions to ensure that their policies fit within your comfort levels.

11. What quality assurance procedures do you undertake during the building process?

Quality assurance is essential to building your dream home. When interviewing luxury custom home builder candidates, ask how they ensure quality throughout the building process.

12. How do I pick the materials or fixtures for my custom home?

Materials and fixtures are essential to making your new home your dream home. Most projects involve deciding on these important factors early in the process. When interviewing a luxury custom home builder, ask them about their policies and the allowances they build into initial estimates.

13. How long will it take to build my house?

The answer to this question depends on factors such as design complexity, changes requested after the project has begun, weather conditions, etc. However, getting a general idea of how long the home builder takes to build homes like the one you are planning can give you a general idea of your timeline.

14. How often do you finish your builds on time?

Ask about their other projects, whether they regularly finish builds within the promised timeframe or are often scrambling to complete the project past the client’s deadline.  This is particularly important if you have specific life events that affect when you want to move into your new home.

15. Can you make my home energy efficient?

Sustainability should matter to all of us, for many reasons, including cost savings. Ask your home builder candidate how you can add energy-efficient components to your home design.

16. How will we keep up to date throughout the building process?

Communication is essential while building a luxury custom home. Ask your home builder for details on when and how they will communicate with you throughout the process.

17. How do you calculate the cost of my luxury custom home?

Custom home builders use different methods for estimating project costs. Prospect 30 Eight Construction maintains our own highly accurate system for this purpose.

18. When will I know the final price of my custom home?

Knowing the final price of your luxury custom-built home can affect decisions you make along the way. You’ll be happy to know that Prospect 30 Eight Construction provides you with the final price upfront before breaking ground and then again for advance approval whenever you request a change that will alter the total price.

19. Do you include landscaping in your custom home design process?

Landscaping for a luxury custom home is usually included in the design process. Ask your prospective builder how they approach this aspect of the project.

20. What if something stops working or breaks after I move in?

An important question to ask your custom home builder is the warranty they include in the price charged – what it covers and how long it lasts.

Got Questions? We Have Answers

Fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation The right luxury custom home builder team can make all the difference in making your dream home a reality in the Denver Metro Area and Jefferson County.