Imagine you’re on a hiring team for a large company. You need to hire a new CTO to run your technology division. You aren’t simply going to ask them about their degree, their experience, and why you should hire them. You will look for subtle clues like how they respond to questions because the way people answer questions actually says a lot about them. You want to gauge how they’ll fit in with the company culture and how they’ll manage employees.

In much the same way, interviewing custom home builders requires a keen eye. You’ll need to pay attention to more than just their basic answers. To help you out, here are some of the things to look for when interviewing a custom home builder.

Be confident in the custom home builders answers.

Since you aren’t a home builder yourself, you may not know the ins and outs of the business. There’s nothing wrong with that if you have a custom home builder on your side who does. It’s important that the custom home builder you work with is confident in their abilities. As you ask them questions during the interview, observe how they answer those questions. Are they shifting as they talk? Do they avoid eye contact? Do they avoid directly answering the question? If the home builder is experienced, they’ll answer any and all of your questions without hesitation. If they do hesitate or you’re unsure of their answer, don’t be afraid to follow up with a similar question.

Observe their level of organization.

If you’re meeting the custom home builder at their office, pay attention to the way it’s organized, if it is at all. A messy desk or a messy office can easily translate to a messy work site, which is just a recipe for disaster. You want to hire a custom home builder who is neat and tidy. If they keep their office organized, you know they’ll be on top of the ball when it comes to your custom home building project.

If you aren’t meeting the custom home builder at their office, then pay attention to their truck or even their filing system. Did they bring a portfolio to your meeting or a tiny notebook? Does trash fall out of their pick up when they open the door? A quality, professional custom home builder is going to keep every aspect of his life organized because that’s how he stays on top of things.

It’s okay to judge this book by it’s cover.

Most likely, your mother (or someone) taught you to never judge a book by it’s cover. Here’s the catch though: sometimes book covers don’t lie. A professional custom home builder won’t show up to your first meeting wearing jeans with holes or just a basic t-shirt. You should expect them, at the very least, to show up wearing a branded polo and a nice pair of jeans. If they are unkempt, then what do their houses look like?

While you don’t want a shallow custom home builder, you do want one that prides themselves on making a fantastic first impression. This pride will directly translate into the work they do on your dream home. If they appear professional and are proud of the way they dress, then they’re more likely to focus on creating a home that they (and you) will be proud of.

Sample Questions to Ask Custom Home Builders

The questions below do not make up a full list of what you should ask a home builder when interviewing them. They are, however, some of the more critical questions you need to ask. Remember, you aren’t just looking for a home builder who is a good fit for your style and your custom home ideas. You’re looking for a custom home builder who can deliver on what they promise. Use these questions to help you gauge the level of commitment the builder has to their profession and to your specific project:

• How many custom homes have you successfully built?
• What style of home do you typically build?
• Are you licensed and insured?
• If you use subcontractors, are they licensed and insured?
• Can you provide any references from previous home buyers?
• What energy-saving features do you include in your homes?
• How do you determine the final price of the home?

Want even more tips on hiring a custom home builder? Our free e-book, “Tips for Building Your Custom Home,” is full of great advice. It covers everything from financing your project to the inside scope on the home building process.

When you’re ready to talk more in depth about your dream home, the custom home builders at G&G Custom Homes are ready to talk! Contact us to schedule a free consultation today!

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