Choosing to build the home of your dreams is a big decision. In fact, it’s quite possibly one of the biggest (and most exciting) decisions you’ll ever make. That’s why it’s so important to choose a builder who you feel good about working with every step of the way. After all, building a custom home is more than a financial investment, it’s also an investment of your time, your patience and your vision.
So how exactly do you choose a custom home builder? For starters, you’ll want to choose one who has plenty of experience creating beautiful homes in Cincinnati. You’ll also want to select a home builder who puts your vision front and center, and keeps you involved throughout the process.
Above all else, you’ll want to choose a builder who delivers a home that makes you say “Wow!” when you walk in the front door.
Here is our list of “must do” steps when choosing a Cincinnati custom home builder:
Select from builders with extensive experience
There’s a reason we put this at the top of the list. With experience comes strong relationships with architects, designers, contractors, and others who play a critical role in the building process. Classic Living Homes, for example, has been working with clients from conception to completion for decades.
Ask for client references
The builder you choose should be able to supply you with a (long) list of clients who can speak to the quality of the builder’s work and give you a clear idea of what it was like to work with them.
Make sure to have a list of questions ready to ask them when you call them. For example, ask them about the builder’s communication process, how the builder addressed issues when they came up during the process, and if they stayed on budget.
Tour finished custom homes
When you talk to the builder’s clients, ask if it’s possible to stop by and tour their home (we recommend walking through at least two). Look closely at the home and take your time. Make sure to consider the details, like crown molding, appliance choices, and landscape design, for example.
You might also want to check to see if there are any upcoming custom home or home design shows in Cincinnati or within driving distance and make a plan to attend these as well.
Are they environmentally conscious in their home construction?
The standard in new construction of any kind is LEED Certification. Today’s custom homes have an outstanding array of building materials and technologies to support conservation and lower long term costs. Your builder should boast LEED Certification on their website and be able to fully educate you in person on its outstanding and lengthy list of benefits.
Review the builder’s portfolio
At the very least, home builders that you are considering should have a website filled with examples of their work, including floorplans and high-quality images.
We recommend choosing a builder with a diverse portfolio, who is able to design and build a variety of types of homes – from traditional to modern. A diverse builder is best outfitted to make your unique vision come to life.
Ask about their process
Have a frank, open discussion with the builder about their communication style, and how they handle issues that come up during the home building journey. Knowing more about their process can give you a sense of if they size clients up and put them in a home they think they can sell them, or not. It will also help you determine how well they listen to clients to create a true custom home for their desires and needs.
This is also when you can talk to the builder about the home building timeline and what methods they have in place to stick to the budget. The last thing you want when building a home are big delays and unexpected expenses.
Make sure they’re fully licensed and insured
Believe it or not, some home builders are not properly, or fully, insured and licensed. You could also check with the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board and the Better Business Bureau to make sure they are in good standing with important agencies.
Have fun!
Building a custom home should be an incredibly exciting experience. Make sure you choose a builder who is passionate about their work and does everything they can to ensure the finished product is a work of art.
Ready to build a custom home? The team at Classic Living Homes is here to make the process seamless and stress-free. We are proud of the homes we build, and are ready to help you build yours, too.
