Key Takeaways
- Be thoughtful about your home builder questions early in the process, as you’ll be working with your builder quite closely over the course of a few months. You not only want an awesome final product, but a building process that you actually enjoy.
- At Ironstone Homes, we strive to make our custom home-building process transparent and as stress-free as possible. We’re comfortable doing highly custom work, and we know that our clients value great communication in addition to great craftsmanship.
- Your builder should be comfortable answering all kinds of questions: from “how much” to “how do you”, you want a builder who doesn’t shy away from the tough questions.
The custom home building process is no small feat – for builders AND for clients – and requires careful consideration and planning from all parties. The custom home builder you choose to work with will play a pivotal role in shaping your dream home, and the right questions up front can make a real difference in finding a partner with whom you’ll not only work well, but who will build the house you’re really after.
At Ironstone Homes in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, we know that trust, transparency, and communication between a builder and a client are absolutely key to a great home build.
This article outlines some questions to consider asking your prospective home builder. These questions will not only help you gauge your potential builder’s expertise and reliability, but also help to make sure that your expectations are met at every stage of the project. It’s also a great opportunity to see if you think you’ll enjoy working together on your new home build, a process that can get pretty detailed over the course of a few months.
Let’s jump in.
Questions for Home Builders
How Long Have You Been Building Custom Homes?
Experience is a cornerstone of excellence in the custom home building process. An experienced builder is more likely to have refined processes and greater skill in dealing with challenges that arise during construction.
When choosing the right home builder, ask about their length of experience.
A builder with substantial experience can lead to better construction quality and a smoother building experience. It’s not just about how many homes they’e built, but how well they have navigated the complexities of custom home projects with clients in the past. At Ironstone Homes, we’ve been designing custom homes for more than a decade in the Lancaster, Lebanon, and West Chester areas of Pennsylvania. This experience has given us a lot of confidence that we can deliver great homes that meet our clients’ expectations and budget.
Do You Have a Portfolio of Completed Homes We Can See?
A builder’s portfolio is like a window into their craftsmanship and style. Seeing photos of homes they have built can provide invaluable insights into the variety of styles and techniques they employ.
Reviewing a well-maintained portfolio can help you make an informed decision about their capabilities and compatibility with your vision. This can also help you gauge the quality of their work and confirm that their style aligns with your desired home design.
Engaging with past clients can also provide insights into the builder’s capabilities!
Ask your builder for references and testimonials from past clients to get a sense of their track record, or even a direct referral. This can reveal a lot about the builder’s systems and how effectively they manage the building process.
Clients frequently note that the custom built home design and build process with Ironstone Homes is smooth and stress-free, with craftsmanship and quality that lives up to expectations.
What Options and Upgrades Can I Choose From?
Customization is one of the most appealing aspects of building a custom home. From energy-efficient windows to smart home features, the options and upgrades available can enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
For instance, kitchen upgrades as simple as stainless steel appliances and custom cabinetry are easy and popular among homeowners looking to elevate their living spaces. Bathroom upgrades, including high-end fixtures and tiled surfaces, can create a luxurious spa-like experience.
Before you choose a builder, make sure they can accommodate every detail of your build vision, including even the small design details.
How Closely Do You Work With (Or Do You Work With?) An Architect or Interior Designer?
Some home builders do it all in-house. Others work well with outside collaborators.
Whatever the case, collaborative work between a builder, architect, and interior designer can be crucial to the success of your home building process. Effective communication, and simply the ABILITY to communicate well with third-parties, is a hallmark of a good custom home builder.
What Is Your Estimating Process?
Builders typically use a combination of historical data and current market prices to form their cost estimates. This process often involves breaking down costs into various categories based on standard industry categories, which includes multiple divisions of work.
A thorough estimating process can involve multiple steps, including a preliminary estimate, reviewing specifications, drawings, and performing detailed takeoffs. Factors like the time of year and material availability can significantly impact construction costs.
For us, we work had to maintain transparency through the the build process so you know where costs are coming from, and why. We find that clear communication cuts off a LOT of problems before they every occur!
How Do You Stay On Budget?
A great estimate isn’t much use if a builder can’t stay within a budget.
Regular budget reviews during construction help identify and mitigate potential cost overruns. By maintaining accurate data, and even incorporating a contingency fund, builders can address unexpected expenses and make sure that the project stays on track.
Who Will Be My Point of Contact for Any Questions I Have?
Having a primary point of contact in the building process is helpful for everyone: the builder, any outside contractors, and of course the client.
This designated contact is responsible for addressing client queries and concerns, making certain that communication is clear and consistent throughout the project. Knowing who to turn to for answers can make the entire experience more manageable and less stressful. At Ironstone Homes, for example, you’re working directly with owner Trevor Eby on every build.
If a builder can’t clearly answer this question, or you get shuttled between people at the business, they’re probably not a good fit.
How Long Will The Project Take?
The construction of a custom home can take anywhere from 4 months to over 12 months depending on factors like size and complexity of the design, supply chain and labor issues, and customizations. A buffer zone in the project schedule can accommodate unforeseen circumstances that may occur.
Setting realistic expectations about the timeline is helpful for planning and budgeting, too.
The average construction timeline for a home built by Ironstone Homes is 4 months once construction begins.
How Do You Handle Complications?
Complications can arise during any construction project, and it’s important to know how your builder will handle them!
A systematic approach for documenting changes and presenting costs to the client, when necessary, makes for transparency and understanding throughout the construction process. This proactive approach helps in solving problems efficiently and maintaining trust for all parties.
In the industry, these are often called “change orders.” Maybe you realized you WANT that luxury shower. Easy, and no problem for builders who have good systems in place.
What about delays? Again, we handle these problems as best we can with transparency and regular communication from start to finish.
Do You Offer a Warranty?
You want your builder to stand behind their work, and for good reason! Warranties are a great way to feel secure going into your home build.
While at Ironstone we don’t have an official “warranty” period, we’re happy to make sure that workmanship at our custom homes stands up over time. What that looks like can vary from project to project, but we generally “make things right” even years after the project has been completed. For specifics or examples, just ask!
Do Your Homes Have Any Energy-Saving Features?
Energy-saving features are becoming increasingly important in modern home design.
Many builders prioritize energy efficiency in the the design phase and construction of homes, a goal being reduced utility costs for homeowners. Common energy-saving features include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, energy-efficient appliances, and improved insulation.
Sustainable building practices may also involve the use of eco-friendly materials, water-efficient fixtures, and smart home technologies. Have specifics you’d like to see in your build? Just ask!
What Financing Options Do You Offer?
Some builders provide various financing options, including partnerships with local lenders or specialized mortgage programs. At Ironstone Homes, we can provide our suggestions on a range of financing options, although most of our clients are using a traditional construction loan, which will turn into a traditional mortgage afterwards.
If you have questions about the best way to fund your new build, just ask.
Can You Assist in Finding Land for Building?
These days, we generally do not have land on-hand to provide for our custom home builders. Most of our clients come to use with a lot or land in mind.
But, it’s always worth asking! Reach out today to see what’s going on in the greater Lancaster County region.
What Happens During the Final Walkthrough?
The final walk through is an important last step for identifying last-minute issues before moving in, and we find it’s a great way to put a final bow on the process for clients.
During this process, we inspect the home with you together, looking for any unfinished work or issues. That might include missed paint spots, a loose door knob, or other small things that we then rectify before you move in.
Last Thoughts
Choosing the right custom home builder is a big decision, and a few thoughtful questions early in the conversation can head off problems down the road. As custom home builders in Lancaster for almost twenty years, we’ve refined our customer journey to be as hassle-free and enjoyable as possible for clients.
The final product is limited only by your imagination, and with the right builder, your dream home can become a reality.
If you’re considering building a new home or simply want to bounce ideas around, we’d love to connect. Have questions? Just ask!
