We are often asked for guidance on how to select a builder for your home and the ideal timing for doing so. The answer to the timing question is simple—start now. Involving a builder from day one helps ensure you have a realistic construction budget and secures a spot in the builder’s schedule, ensuring your project can start on time.

One of the most important pieces of advice we give to clients when discussing how to select a builder for your home is this: you get what you pay for. While it’s tempting to choose the most economical option to free up budget for finishes, appliances, or other aspects of the build, this strategy often backfires. Many people attempt to strike a balance—spending as little as possible on the builder without compromising quality. The reality is that paying a premium for a reliable builder will save you headaches and costly mistakes in the long run. If necessary, it’s better to scale down the size of your home than to hire a low-cost builder who may deliver subpar results.

Hiring a budget builder can lead to poor project management, low-quality materials and workmanship, and missed deadlines. Furthermore, initial quotes from lower-quality builders are often misleadingly low, with costs increasing significantly as the project progresses. Many builders underbid to secure the job, knowing they’ll need to raise costs later, leaving you with the burden of unexpected expenses.

How to Select a Builder for Your Home: The Key Steps

When considering how to select a builder for your home, it’s important to remember that this process will take time and careful consideration. You’ll be working closely with the builder for several years, from planning through construction and even after move-in for warranty work. Choosing wisely is essential.

1. Ask Your Home Designer for Recommendations

A great first step in how to select a builder for your home is to consult your home designer. Designers often have experience working with builders and can recommend those known for quality work in your area. They can also provide insight into which builders to avoid. Ask your designer for feedback on builders’ attention to detail, build quality, and how they handle value engineering—altering materials and construction techniques to reduce costs. Some builders make changes without consulting the client, which is a red flag. Ensure you discuss these practices before engaging a builder.

2. Visit Homes Under Construction and Completed Projects

Another critical part of how to select a builder for your home is visiting some of the builder’s current and completed projects. This allows you to assess the quality of their work firsthand. If a build site is disorganized or poorly managed, it may be indicative of deeper issues. Additionally, be sure to speak with former clients to gather feedback about their experience with the builder. Client references can offer invaluable insights into how the builder manages projects, timelines, and communication.

3. Review the Builder’s Warranty and Management Practices

When deciding how to select a builder for your home, it’s essential to review the builder’s warranty thoroughly. If the warranty contains numerous disclaimers, it could be a sign that the builder frequently encounters problems or is hesitant to perform warranty work. Additionally, get a clear understanding of how the builder manages projects. Some builders assign a full-time project manager to oversee construction, while others rely on periodic site visits. Ideally, your builder should visit the site daily to ensure quality and adherence to the plans.

4. Assess the Builder’s Commitment to Design Principles

Another important consideration in how to select a builder for your home is the builder’s understanding of and commitment to basic design principles. Our design primer (found [here]) can serve as a helpful discussion starter on this topic. A builder who does not prioritize these principles may not execute your plans as intended. This is why it’s important to have ongoing communication between your builder and your designer.

5. Ask Detailed Questions

When determining how to select a builder for your home, don’t hesitate to ask potential builders plenty of questions. Inquire about their best and worst project experiences, how they handle change orders, their typical time frames, pricing, and how they communicate with clients. It’s also beneficial to understand the builder’s preferred project size, the level of finishes they usually work with, and the systems they use to manage budgets and records (such as Builder Trend).

6. Compare Pricing Bids

An essential step in how to select a builder for your home is comparing pricing bids in a way that makes them consistent across different builders. Request a bid that excludes selections like appliances, cabinetry, and flooring, focusing solely on core costs like materials, labor, permits, and utilities. This will allow you to make more accurate comparisons between builders.

Conclusion: How to Select a Builder for Your Home for a Successful Project

When learning how to select a builder for your home, keep in mind that the process should be thorough and deliberate. While every building project comes with its own set of challenges, choosing the right builder will make the experience exciting and enjoyable rather than stressful. After selecting the right home designer, picking the right builder is the next critical decision to ensure your project is successful, relatively stress-free, and rewarding.