How To Choose the Best Custom Home Builder For Your Project
- pgcbuilding+design
- May 2
- 10 min read
Designing and building a custom home is an incredible and exciting experience. It’s also a huge undertaking that can be overwhelming. The people and companies you choose to partner with to build your home are an integral part of the experience. In particular, the custom home builder you choose to work with can make your experience amazing or turn it into a nightmare. To help you have a more enjoyable home building experience, we’ve created this guide to help you find the best custom home builder for your particular project.
There are many great home builders out there that have the potential to bring your project to life and exceed your expectations, but choosing the best custom home builder for your project isn’t always easy. As a custom home builder in Bend, we are regularly talking with potential clients and making the decision on the other side of the equation - are we the best home builder to build this particular home?
Here we’ll share our industry insights, things to consider when choosing a custom home builder, and key questions to ask to help you find the best custom home builder for your new home.
Types of Custom Home Builders
Before we get into choosing the best custom home builder, it’s important to understand that not all custom home builders are the same.
There are several different types of home builders that may be referred to or refer to themselves as custom home builders. When selecting a builder, it’s important to understand the type of builder you need for your particular home build at the start of the process so you can save time by ruling out home builders that don’t offer what you are looking for.
Tract Home Builders
A tract home builder is what many people might consider a traditional home builder. These builders buy large plots of land to develop and construct new home communities.
When you work with a tract builder, the customization options are typically limited to a preset list of selections for you to choose from. With a tract builder, your customization usually starts with a limited selection of pre-designed floor plans for you to choose from to build on your lot. After that, you may have limited customization options like adding a third bay to your home’s garage, choosing your paint colors, and selecting the finishes for your home from a preset list of finish packages.
Due to limited custom options and the scale of most new home communities, a tract builder may be able to build a home faster and at a lower cost than a fully custom home builder. However, there will be limitations in what you can actually customize and the finished product will follow the style and design of the new community your home is being built in. These limitations may prevent new homeowners from enjoying a home that feels uniquely their own.
When you work with a tract builder, think of it like buying a suit off the rack. You can choose your style, you often have some choice in color, and you can select the size that fits you best. But you can’t request a size or a color option that isn’t already created, meaning the end product isn’t truly custom.
Semi-Custom Home Builders
A semi-custom home builder is a builder that has home plans already created for you to choose from. Typically, these types of builders can build either on a developed lot you’ve purchased or help you develop and build on an undeveloped piece of land. Their custom builds start with your choice of a range of predesigned home plans.
You’ll then have options to further customize the initial plan. The amount of customization a semi-custom home builder allows is highly dependent on the builder. Some allow you to expand the space, add rooms, and make adjustments to the layout, but many will keep the customization to finish options, appliance changes, and electrical upgrades. There are semi-custom builders who allow you to choose any flooring you’d like and others that will allow you to choose from a selection of flooring options that they have pre-selected.
With a semi-custom builder, you have a lot more choice in customizing your home; however, the build starts with a pre-designed floor plan. Without the additional expense of the floor plan design and engineering, working with a semi-custom home builder is often a lower-cost option. However, you sacrifice your ability to fully design your home and build something that is unique to you.
In our suit example, working with a semi-custom builder would be more like buying a suit off the rack and then having it custom-tailored to your exact size and specifications. You can select the color, material, and initial size based on the options available and then tailor it specifically to you. However, you don’t have full control of the finished product, just something that is a little more specific to you.
Completely Custom Home Builders
When you work with a completely custom home builder, every aspect of your home is designed and built just for you. From the initial concept to floor plan layout, design, building materials, appliances, lighting, and much more. Every detail of your home can be customized when working with a completely custom home builder. Typically the cost to build this type of home is higher than with a tract builder or semi-custom home builder; however, the ability to choose and create a home that is unique to you is invaluable.
Back to our suit example, working with a completely custom home builder is like working with a tailor to design a completely new suit, selecting all materials, and measurements, and maybe choosing to add a secret pocket or your own embroidered inscription to the suit if you’d like.
It’s a rewarding experience to create something from scratch, and even more so when the final product is a home you will enjoy for years to come. Working with our team at PGC Building + Design will fall into this final category. We are a completely custom home builder and we take pride in building luxury custom homes of the highest quality for our clients in Central Oregon. If you are looking for a custom home builder in Bend, contact us to discuss your project.
Top Tips To Find The Best Custom Home Builder
With all of the choices that come with a custom home build, how do you know which home builder will be best for you? Here are a few of our top tips to find the best custom home builder for your project.
Create A List
Before you contact any builders, we recommend creating a list of builders that you’d like to learn more about before narrowing that list down to the handful of builders that you’ll have an initial conversation with.
To do this, you can ask people in your network who have previously built custom homes if they would recommend their builder. Knowing that someone you trust had a great experience can give you a bit more confidence about your potential compatibility with the builder.
A Google search for custom home builders in your area is another way to find potential builders, as are trade review sites like Houzz. Both Google and Houzz profiles have associated customer ratings that allow you to quickly see a builder’s ratings and reviews, which can be useful in creating your initial list.
Read Reviews
As you are researching, it’s important to read the home builder reviews associated with the builders you are considering. Not only will you get a sense of the types of projects the builder excels at, but you’ll also get a sense of their communication style and the quality of their work. It’s a great sign if you read reviews from customers who have worked with the same builder on multiple projects.
At the same time, you’ll likely find out if there are potential areas of concern or you may find that the reviews you are reading seem fake. If you are suspicious of fake reviews, it may be time to move on to a different builder. Reading the reviews gives you insight into what people liked and disliked and can help you make a more informed decision when choosing the best custom home builder for your new home build.
Consider Style
As you are researching to find the best custom home builder for your new home, you’ll likely find that certain builders tend to have styles or designs that they are known for or excel in. If you have a style in mind, look for a builder who has previously built something in a similar style.
If you are looking for a barndominium or an ultramodern home, look for these types of homes in the home builder’s portfolio. If you are looking for a builder who can create a truly customized space, look for examples of unique homes that they have built in the past. Even if these examples aren’t in your style, they can be an indicator that the builder is adaptable and able to undertake and understand the style and design you want in your new home.
Style is an important factor to consider when you choosing a custom builder for your project.
Capabilities
Similar to style, different builders have different capabilities. Some builders will include landscaping and outdoor spaces as part of your home build, while others focus only on interior living spaces. Similarly, if you want a builder that can build an ADU or you want to use a very specific building material in your home, ask your builder about these capabilities.
If sustainability and the use of eco-friendly materials are important to you, look for a builder that mentions these elements as a core capability. If you want a fully automated smart home, look for a builder that can help you make this a reality. As you review capabilities, think about the things that are important to you in your new home, and make sure to ask about these capabilities when you have your initial conversion with your shortlist of builders.
Price
While cost doesn’t equal value, you’ll want to understand the price range for your home so that you know if the builders you are considering are within your budget. For fully custom home builds your price will also be fully custom. When you are considering and discussing price, you can ask how the builder estimates the cost and what they recommend as a contingency budget for your project.
Contract Types
Related to pricing, you’ll also want to understand the contract type that a builder uses. There are pros and cons of different builder contracts; however, the contract type does impact the cost you pay for your home.
When you are determining the best custom home builder for your project, you may find that one contract type works better for you than another and be able to choose a builder that uses the type of contract you need.
Timeline
A custom home build can take a significant amount of time. The time can be extended even longer if the builder you are talking with isn’t able to start on your project right away or when you are ready. If you have a tight timeline you are trying to work within, be sure to mention this right away with any builders you are considering. This way you’ll understand if your timeline is realistic or have the right expectations about the timeline before you select your builder.
You can also ask your builder how often their projects are completed within their estimated timeline. Be sure to ask how they estimate the time a project will take to complete and what factors can change or delay the time it takes to build.
Knowing more about the timeline upfront will help you to better choose the best custom home builder for your project given your timeline and expectations.
Communication Preferences
The phrase, “Communication is Key”, is an understatement when it comes to home building. With all of the decisions that need to be made and all of the moving parts that need to be considered, you and your custom home builder will be in what may feel like constant communication from project start to finish.
Understanding how and when your builder will be communicating with you about progress, changes, delays, and decisions that need to be made, is critical when selecting the best custom home builder to build your home.
During the initial meeting with your builder, you’ll also get a sense of their communication style. You should always feel comfortable asking questions or seeking clarification about things you don’t understand. You will be working with your builder for several months, if not years, so being able to communicate well and knowing when and how to expect communication will help you find a builder that works best for you.
Check Licenses & Insurance
It may seem like a given, but checking that a home builder has current licenses and insurance is a critical step in any due diligence. You don’t want to sign a construction contract or start your build only to find out that your builder isn’t in good standing or that something has happened at the build site and you are on the hook for the expenses.
Any custom home builder in Oregon should have an active CCB license, workers’ compensation insurance, and general liability insurance. You can check that any Oregon contractor licenses are up to date using the contractor license search.
Key Questions To Ask Your Home Builder
As you think about what you would want and expect in a custom home builder, it’s a good idea to write down questions you want to ask and information you want to confirm before you make a decision. That way you’ll have your own set of questions which include the items most important to you.
The following questions are a few of the key questions we recommend everyone ask when going through the process of choosing a home builder.
What is your experience in the industry?
How long have you been building homes? And, how long have you been building homes in [insert your area here, i.e. Bend]?
Are you licensed and insured?
Do you have a portfolio of the custom homes you’ve built?
Can you explain your custom home-building process?
How customizable is my home? Do you build completely custom homes?
Can I pick all the materials and fixtures or are there limitations in what I can select?
Can you help me find land to build on?
What is communication like during the build process? Will there be a designated point of contact for my project?
How are any delays or changes communicated?
What type of contract do you use?
How do you estimate costs?
How are changes in cost handled?
Can we make changes to our home during the build process?
How are change orders handled?
When will I know the final price of my custom home build?
Can you provide an estimated timeline to complete my project?
How many of your home building projects are completed on time?
What is included in my home build? What items should I budget for that are not included in the build?
Do you include landscaping?
What items will I be responsible for during the build process?
Do you have a warranty program?
Do you have any references I can talk with?
Do you use contractors?
Can you make my home energy efficient?
Choosing the Best Custom Home Builder For Your New Home Build
Doing the research upfront before you choose a builder can completely change your home building experience. Knowing what to expect and being able to have an open line of communication with your builder will make the complicated and exciting process of building a custom home easier and much more enjoyable.
Take your time making your decision and considering your options and you’ll be able to choose the best custom home builder to build your new home.
If you are considering building a custom home in Bend or Central Oregon, we’d love to talk with you about your project. You can learn more about building a luxury custom home with us or contact us to start the conversation.
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