Be careful to avoid some common mistakes when choosing the right custom home builder for your dream home.
When you decide that you want to build a custom home, getting started with the right building company can be an intimidating process. Your home is most likely your most valuable asset, and it’s where you’re going to be nearly every day for many years, if not the remainder of your life. For this reason, it’s important to avoid critical mistakes when choosing which builder you want to work with to make your dream home a reality.
Not Checking Licenses, Credentials & Awards
Making sure your builder is up-to-date on their licensing and credentials is the first step you should take. A reputable builder will take their qualifications seriously and keep their licensing updated and highly visible to potential clients. A quality builder that does quality work will be awarded and recognized for their excellence, especially as they gain experience throughout the years.
Not Checking on the Warranty
If any builder you’re considering doesn’t offer a warranty on your home, the best choice is to simply go with someone else. In the early years, newly-built homes will begin to settle—this can reveal issues that weren’t apparent initially. Any warranty of less than 3 years likely won’t cover all of the potential problems that could arise from the build. The longer the warranty, the better. Your home is likely your most valuable asset, so protecting it just makes sense.
Not Asking About Material Quality
It’s easy to consider the quality of the visual elements of your custom home—fixtures, appliances, countertops, and other things of that nature. However, it is critical to also make sure the other components of your home are being made with quality materials—plumbing, insulation, roof, and others. Get quality assurance on everything that’s going into your home.
Not Checking the Builder’s Style
Many builders, especially those with less experience, tend toward a specific style. Take note of their portfolio of completed projects—do they all look similar and follow a certain style? If that style suits your build, then this is fine. However, if the style does not suit your build, you will likely struggle to agree on a design with this company. More experienced builders will often have a wider range of styles that they can execute, and you’ll have an easier time perfecting your build with companies that are more flexible in style and have more experience.
Not Reading Negative Reviews
If you’re someone who chooses a company based on Google reviews—don’t forget the negative reviews. If they have a 4.8 rating and 1,500 reviews, then this is a really good start. However, look deeper into those reviews. Search for negative reviews, see how recent they are, and look for similarities in what these reviewers weren’t happy with. This can alert you to some of the company’s shortcomings, so you know what to expect if you do choose to work with them. You can even ask to speak with the builder’s other clients to ask them about their experience with the company and its process.
Design and Build Your Dream Home with Columbia Builders!
Columbia Builders is the home builder of choice in Howard County, offering homes in Ellicott City, Elkridge, Laurel, Columbia, Marriottsville, Fulton, Clarksville, Dayton, and Brookeville. No matter what the size and scope of your project, we have the skills, experience, and resources needed to bring your vision to life. We offer a level of customization that is truly unmatched and are committed to using materials and craftsmen of the highest quality, so you can trust that your new home is built to last. Columbia Builders was voted Best of Howard County 2020 for best home builder.
If you’re ready to invest in a home, built with your needs in mind, trust in us. Give Columbia Builders a call today at 410-730-0215 or use our contact form here. You can also keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, and YouTube, and don’t forget to check back on our blog for more tips and information!