While there are many decisions that come with building a custom home, the first and most crucial decision is deciding which homebuilder to use. There are a lot of different home builders out there, so how do you know which one to go with? Besides reading reviews (which are obviously important), we’ve compiled a list of questions you can ask different builders to determine which company is right for you!

How long have you been building custom homes?

You'll want to find a skilled custom home builder. While not having years of experience doesn’t necessarily disqualify someone, it’s always nice to know that your builder has been doing this for a long time.

Do you have a portfolio of the finished custom homes you've built?

If your custom home builder doesn’t have a model to tour, you can ask if they have a portfolio of photos from homes they've built.

How customizable is my custom home?

If you want to make changes to your custom home during the construction process, you'll want to find a flexible custom home builder. Find out when decisions on customizations need to be made during the process, and how possible it is to make changes along the way.

Can you help me pick out the perfect homesite?

Some custom home builders can help you find your dream homesite. If you've already found a homesite, ask your home builder if they can inspect your land.

After I move in, will you be able to fix anything if it stops working/breaks?

Make sure you ask your custom home builder questions about your warranty period. This will give you an idea of what they can fix or repair once construction is done and for how long this warranty period lasts.

What licenses do you have? Are you insured?

Some states require custom home builders to have licenses, while others don't. Nevertheless, it is helpful to ask a potential custom home builder questions about their licenses and insurance.

How will we communicate during the custom home building process?

Communication is important in the custom home building process! When you interview potential custom home builders, ask them how they'll keep you up to date on the construction of your dream home and how you can communicate any questions or concerns that you may have with them.

What's the average time your team takes to build a custom home?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, such as the complexity of your home design and the time of year you’re breaking ground. When you ask a custom builder this question, specify that you're asking about the time spent on building homes like yours. This can give you a general idea of what your timeline might look like.

What differentiates you from other custom home builders?

This is a great question to ask a custom home builder to learn more about them! Learn what makes your builder unique and how that can benefit your custom home experience.

Do you perform quality assurance inspections during construction?

Quality assurance is important when it comes to building your dream home. When you interview a custom home builder, ask them how they’ll ensure quality throughout the construction process.

Can you make my home energy efficient?

Ask yourself if sustainability matters in your dream home. If so, ask your potential custom home builder if adding energy-efficient components to your home design is possible.

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

Knowing the final price of your home impacts each step of the design and build process. It will allow you to know if you need to scale back on certain options or if you have some wiggle room in your budget to splurge on a few upgrades!

Do you have testimonials from past clients I can view?

You can learn a lot about a custom home builder by looking at client testimonials! Ask a custom home builder if there are past client testimonials you can review.

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

Everything in your custom home should reflect your personality! This question will help you find a custom home builder who can work with you to pick the perfect materials, fixtures and more for your home.