The Top Questions to ask a Home Builder
Building a home is one of the most exciting and significant investments you’ll make, and choosing the right home builder can make you all the more confident in your decision and happy with the finished product. Selecting an architect and builder necessitates asking the right questions to make sure you’re making an informed decision. From understanding their experience to clarifying costs to knowing their communication process, we’ve put together a guide with the top questions to ask a home builder to ensure your custom home is in capable hands.
Questions to Ask a Home Builder
1. Do you offer design-build services, or just building services?
When choosing a home builder, it’s important to understand whether they offer design-build services or strictly construction. A design-build team handles both the architectural design and construction under one roof, streamlining communication, reducing potential conflicts, and often saving time and money. On the other hand, a building-only team requires you to hire a separate architect or designer to create the plans before construction begins. Clarifying this upfront ensures you know what to expect and whether you need to coordinate additional professionals for your project.
SSDB’s answer: As a design-build team, we believe this is one of the most important questions to ask a home builder, because it will drastically affect nearly every aspect of your home build. You can learn more about the advantages of design-build here.
2. Can I see examples of your past projects?
Understanding a builder or design-builder’s past project can help shape your understanding of their style, capabilities, and specialties. Whether or not you have a clear vision for what you’d like to build, this can help you determine if their experience aligns with your needs. Asking about past projects also gives insight into their ability to build a very custom home, problem-solving skills, project timelines, and overall quality, ensuring they are the right fit for your home build.
SSDB’s answer: Our team’s portfolio of projects is a great way to see the types of homes we’ve built and our capabilities. Each home is unique and reflects our commitment to quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and seamless functionality.
3. What is your process and timeline for building a home?
Process and timeline can vary quite widely for a home build depending on the complexity, size, and location of the project as well as the capabilities of the individual builder. In our experience, building project timelines can be shifted by external forces as well; such as weather conditions, material shortages, and more. Asking a home builder what they expect the timeline to be for your home build will help you understand their view and projections.
SSDB’s answer: When you embark on the process of building with SSDB, we provide you with a custom schedule that includes important milestone dates. For example, there will be a list of dates by which you will need to make selections for things like plumbing fixtures, cabinet styles, hardwood floor types, tile, countertops, and more. The construction schedule also includes a running timeline so you can see progress and the effect of changes.
In general, our estimated project timeline for our clients is as follows:
Design: 4-6 months
Permit: 2 months
Construction: 12-15 months
Timelines may vary based on project complexity, permitting requirements, and other factors.
4. What is included in the estimated cost?
Building a custom home is an investment, and it’s crucial that you understand the costs when beginning the process. When reviewing an estimate from a home builder, it’s essential to understand exactly what is included in the projected cost. Does it cover permits, site preparation, and utility connections, or are those additional expenses? Are high-quality materials and finishes factored into the price, or will upgrades come at an extra cost? A transparent breakdown of costs helps prevent unexpected expenses and ensures you stay within budget. Be sure to ask for a detailed estimate that outlines labor, materials, and any potential allowances so you can make informed decisions throughout the building process.
SSDB’s answer: Our team follows an open-book policy, meaning that we charge you exactly what it costs to design and build your home and then add a percentage for profit and overhead. This means that pricing is extremely transparent and we review budgeting throughout the build to make sure both parties are happy with where we’re at. Our clients have found this fee structure to be both fair and predictable.
5. Who will be my main point of contact and how will I receive updates on progress?
Knowing who your main point of contact is during the home-building process is crucial for clear communication and a smooth experience. Ask your builder if you’ll be working directly with a project manager, site supervisor, or another dedicated team member.
Additionally, understanding how a home builder communicates is an important thing to understand before selecting one. There are a range of communication styles in the industry, from highly structured weekly meetings with detailed progress reports to more casual, as-needed updates. Some builders use project management software to keep clients informed in real time, while others rely on phone calls, emails, or in-person site visits. Understanding how often and through what methods your builder communicates ensures that expectations align with your needs.
SSDB’s answer: Our partners oversee your project and one of them will be on site every day. Your main point of contact will be one of the partners, who will personally guide you through every stage of the process, ensuring clear communication, timely updates, and seamless decision-making. They will be available to answer any questions, address any concerns, and keep the project moving smoothly from start to finish. Our team uses Buildertrend, a construction software tool that helps us to efficiently manage documents, project scheduling, and costs. Our clients can log in and see all of this information at any time, as well as photos of the process, creating a smooth and transparent client experience.
6. Do you offer a warranty on your work?
A home is a significant investment, so it’s important to ask your builder if they offer a warranty on their work. A reputable builder should stand behind their craftsmanship and provide a warranty that covers both materials and labor for a specified period. Be sure to clarify what is included—does the warranty cover structural issues, workmanship defects, or only certain components of the home? Additionally, ask about the claims process and response time for any necessary repairs. A strong warranty provides peace of mind, ensuring that your home is protected long after construction is complete.
SSDB’s answer: We are proud to offer a three-year warranty to our clients as a testament to our commitment to quality, durability, and customer satisfaction.
7. Do you use energy-efficient or sustainable materials?
In today’s industry, sustainability is a huge point of interest for both clients and builders alike. Building an energy-efficient home can have not only a significant positive impact on the environment, but also on the homeowner’s ongoing costs. If sustainability is something that you’re interested in, prioritizing a home builder fluent in eco-friendly building practices is essential. Look for a builder with experience in energy-efficient designs, sustainable materials, and green building certifications such as LEED. Ask about options like solar panels, high-performance insulation, and rainwater harvesting to reduce your home’s environmental impact and long-term utility costs. A knowledgeable builder can guide you through sustainable choices that align with your budget and lifestyle, ensuring your home is both environmentally responsible and built to last.
SSDB’s answer: Our team is passionate about making an impact in the form of a variety of sustainable building practices. If you’re curious about our sustainable building capabilities, we invite you to take a look at our collection of environmentally-friendly projects.
At the end of the day, finding the “right” home builder for you and your family is a personal decision that hinges on your unique preferences and needs. Our compilation of questions to ask a home builder can be helpful in determining a great fit for you.
If you’re curious about our team’s answers to some of the most widely-asked client questions, we invite you to explore our FAQs or reach out to our team. We’d love to hear from you!