Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Custom Home Builder

There is nothing quite as exciting as your own custom build.

It is the chance to create the healthy home of your dreams, the chance to avoid buying other people’s problems.

With that said, too many people end up being unsatisfied with their custom build experience. The root of this dissatisfaction often lies in poor communication with the provider. Therefore, keep reading as we delve into 5 questions to ask your custom home builder before you start. 

1. What Is Your Experience in Building Healthy Homes?

Businesses make a lot of specious claims in the internet era. As long as it sounds plausible and gets clicks, then it is fair game for marketing material.

Well, when it comes to forking over a sizable chunk of your nest egg for a custom build, it is crucial that you probe your builder deeper. For example, a firm may laud itself as a healthy home builder based on a certain design feature or material selection. But what is their experience in taking a holistic approach to healthy home construction? 

Among the factors that contribute to a healthy home include:

• Air quality
• Water purity
• Safe surfaces and building materials
• Moisture control
• Specialized designs
• Natural lighting and views

As such, if builders cannot give you satisfactory responses on how they incorporate this comprehensive set of factors into their homes, then it may be time to explore a different healthy home provider. 

2. Do You Have Some Examples of Healthy Homes I Can Tour?

Although getting a healthy home for your custom build is the top priority, the property must also check off other boxes as well. It has to be desirable.

This starts with aesthetics. What is the curb appeal like? Is the builder known for creating visually-stunning houses that arrest the attention of onlookers? Can they offer the best house colors in non-toxic, low-VOC options?

Functionality is also crucial. What kind of floor plans does the builder work with? Are they known for creating homes that make life easier and more enjoyable for occupants?

Be sure to ask the builder if they have some previously completed and/or model homes that you can tour. If you’re in the Cedar Rapids, IA area, reach out to PRK Williams Building Group to tour a model home today! If not, see if the builder has any clients who would be willing to give testimonials on what the post-move-in experience has been like.

3. How Are Your Homes Positioned to Handle Climate Change?

It is no secret that the debilitating effects of climate change are increasingly rearing their head. Severe weather events are rocking the country like never before. Epic hurricanes. Rampant wildfires. Community-razing tornadoes.

In the custom build sector, horror stories abound regarding new homes being poorly equipped to handle extreme weather. Foundations washed away by flooding. Living rooms full of water. Roofs blown off by wind gusts.

Therefore, be sure to check with your builder and see how their homes are uniquely positioned to handle climate change. Do they feature fire-resistant roofing? Is there adequate thermal insulation to limit temperature fluctuations in extreme conditions? Will there be any advanced foundation waterproofing used for moisture control?

Not only do these features help the custom build handle severe weather in stride, but they are also top options in healthy home construction. 

4. How Do You Stay Within Our Budget?

If I had a nickel for every time a custom build went over budget…

Too many times, buyers are sucked into palatable prices for base models, only to get sticker shock when they see the quote for their dream home. In some cases, custom builds sit in a state of partial completion because scope creep sets in and funds run out.

Therefore, be candid with your builder about your budget. Have the conversations up front. Let them offer their expert opinion on places where paying for an upgraded material is worth it and where it may be better to go with an economy option. For example, they may help you look at impact resistant shingles cost and determine if your area gets enough hail and strong winds to make the move from basic asphalt worth it. Or they may help you compare countertops to see if a less expensive laminate or solid surface material would provide the same stately appearance and safety level as a natural stone such as quartz. 

At the end of the day, your builder should respect your budget and let you know if they can realistically finish the job at that figure. If not, it is best not to waste time and cause hard feelings. 

5. What Is Excluded from the Package?

Along the same lines as discussing budget, it is important to be crystal clear about what is and is not included from a custom home package. Some buyers will walk into an expertly-staged model home and erroneously think they are moving into that exact same house. Ask about the exterior as well. Is landscaping included with the custom build, or will you be responsible for building your own deck and installing your own patio flooring post-handover?

Ask the Right Questions to Guarantee the Best Healthy Home Possible

To guarantee optimal success in a custom home build, it is crucial to communicate effectively with your builder. From probing their experience in healthy home construction to finding out what is excluded from the package, consider the 5 questions listed above to ensure the success of your custom build experience. For more of the latest trends in healthy home construction, explore the content at PRK Williams Building Group for the leading insights in the industry!

Author BioAndrea Erickson is a freelance writer who loves sharing her knowledge and expertise in renovation and Interior Design. She lives in her hometown of Austin, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and decorating with her children. Andrea’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.