How to Find the Perfect Homebuilder
You have so many important decisions to make when building a home and choosing the right builder, from the very start, is arguably the most important one. So how can you tell which builder is right for you?
Takes Time to Learn About You
Look for the builder who asks you all the right questions – and pays close attention to your every answer. The right builder will show a natural interest in your lifestyle needs and wants – from start to finish. The builder should ask questions about where you live now, what you like and dislike about it, and what your motivations for moving are. The right builder will also be interested in your overall lifestyle, including the size of your family now – and into the future. Do you like to entertain? What things in a new home are important to you? What things about the community and surrounding area are most important to you? These types of questions, and the corresponding answers, will indicate that your builder can effectively help you select the new home that is absolutely right for you and your family.
- 5 Steps to finding the perfect builder
Knowledge of Surrounding Community
Not only does the right builder construct your house, they also work hard to help you find a community that fits the needs and wants of your family. Whether the perfect spot ends up being an off-site lot or within the builder’s own subdivision, the right builder will take the time to weigh all of the considerations on your behalf. Builders tend to know the overall characteristics and demographics of the homeowners in their communities and will therefore be able to share insights into the community culture with you. The surrounding community extends beyond your backyard and subdivision streets; the local school districts, parks, shopping centers, and access to major highways, are all details the right builder will explore with you.
Locations and Home Plans Offered
Where do you want to live and what type/size house do you want to live in? Odds are these will be two of the very first questions you will ask yourself even before looking for the right builder. Naturally, the right builder will need to offer a subdivision in the geographical area you hope to move to, or at the very least offer a Build-on-Your-Lot program to help you find the right piece of land to build on. Be wary of home builders that try to persuade you into a developed community that feels outside your reasonable geographic range of commuting to your daily activities.
Build on your lot or ours
Once you find the perfect home site, it’s time to view the home builder’s floor plans and options. Are you looking for a two-story home? How about a ranch? Or is a condominium home more attractive to you right now? What about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms needed today, and into the future? Considering future expansion options with your new home is important – even at this early stage. This is when the home builder will really focus in on the question, “What things in a new home are important to you?” Based on your answers, the right home builder will suggest their floor plans that fit your needs. And better yet, the right home builder will find a model home of each floor plan for you to tour in person.
Referral Rates
A good assessment of potential builders includes the current referral rate they’ve received from their homeowners. It is said that there is no better compliment than a referral. A strong referral rate proves that current homeowners are satisfied enough with their new home that they would encourage a friend or family member to choose the same builder.
The use of third party surveys by home builders gives new homeowners the opportunity to rate their builder on a variety of categories, including “clean and safe construction environment”, “quality construction”, and “warranty and problem resolution.” These results, often times compared directly against “peer” builders, provide excellent information to systematically research the competition and find the right builder for you.
Overall Systems and Processes
Established home builders often have a very controlled construction process and have established very reliable relationships with vendors and partners. What does this mean to you? Consistent construction work from house to house with skilled workers who know the builders’ requirements and expectations is a huge advantage. Built into these requirements should be check points along the way that provide opportunities for the home owner to participate in the building process. Such examples include pre-drywall walk-throughs, homeowner orientation meetings with the construction manager, and eventually warranty checks after closing. Established home builders will also incorporate third party inspections for specification standards, such as Energy Star certification and
Find the right builder for your family
overall quality construction methods and procedures. As a potential home owner, it’s very important to select the right builder who demonstrates their internal and external quality systems by sticking with you and supporting you throughout the entire construction process.
These five recommendations should give you a good start in selecting the right builder for your new home. Building a home with a builder is essentially like forming a new relationship – you both have to learn enough about each other to feel comfortable moving forward – together. And just like a good home builder will do, ask questions – lots of them! This will help ensure that your new home is absolutely right for you and your family.
Brookstone Homes, Inc. is one of the largest single-family home builders in the Metropolitan Milwaukee and Madison areas. Currently operating in 17 single-family communities throughout Southern Wisconsin, Brookstone Homes’ product offering is built around 34 single-family and condominium designs that range in size from 1360 to 3191 square feet. Brookstone Homes offers complete home and lot packages at an average price point of $220,000 or as homes built off-site for customers who already own their lot. In addition to their base plans, Brookstone offers over 10,000 options for customers to personalize their homes.
To begin searching for a new home in Wisconsin or to learn more about Brookstone Homes, please visit www.brookstonehomes.com
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