Looking For A New Home? Here’s What To Look For In A Home Builder
For most people, the ability to have a home of their very own is a crowning achievement in life. It represents a new chapter and milestone, as well as a sign of the future. But that opportunity comes with a cost. Homes are a massive financial investment, one that ties you down as much as it provides the freedom you need.
Since homes are such a huge investment, it’s vital that you take all the steps necessary for you to get the home you truly want. In our latest blog, we give you the ultimate checklist for your potential homebuilder!
Be Sure That You Agree On The Budget
Early on in the home builder selection process, you should discuss your budget. Home building projects are notorious for going far over budget, so you should have a hard cap on how much you are willing to spend.
Be sure to be firm with your set price. Your home builder may try to haggle for more features, but stand firm with the amount you are willing to spend.
Find Out The Full Extent Of Their Services
As you do your research, make sure that you fully understand what they offer. Not all home builders will offer the same features, so be sure to ask for their full list of services up front.
Learn About Their Subcontractors
Most custom home builders use a team of subcontractors to actually build the various components of the home. Roofing, plumbing, HVAC, and other aspects of the home are handled by several teams working in tandem, so your research could extend to those subcontractors.
Look for signs that their work may not be up to par and ask about them if you feel the need to. Your home is only as good as the weakest link in its construction, so it’s important that everyone working on your home is a reliable professional.
Check Out Their Past Work
Typically, this is the first thing that people do when they begin their research into a custom home. They’ll look at professional photos on the website or go look at a past home in person. But looking at a few pictures of the home doesn’t need to be the end of your research.
For instance, you could try to get in contact with previous owners to get more information from a former customer. It may not always be possible, but it could be extremely helpful when making your final decision. Likewise, check out reviews and see if anything worrisome comes up. It could provide additional questions for your research.
Make Sure You Share Your Exact Needs
This tip should go without saying but it’s crucially important that you are upfront about your needs. Your home is a massive investment, so you should ensure that the custom home builder agrees to your non-negotiable needs. This is not the time to be vague.
If you and your home builder aren’t on the same page, it could lead to a longer build time, price increase, or having to forgo a much-needed feature or option.
Look Into Their Warranties
Warranties aren’t exactly the most exciting topic around custom homes, but it’s something that you should definitely have a strong understanding of. Be sure to ask about the various warranties associated with your home and what may void them.
If you want, you could speak to several home builders and compare the terms of their warranties. While a bad warranty may not be a deal-breaker, you should have that information to make an informed decision.
Inquire About Their Energy Use
As climate change continues to ravage the globe, it’s more important than ever to conserve energy. Your new home should be efficient in using energy both for your electric bill and for the planet.
Almost every part of the home plays a role in this. Your roof, walls, appliances, windows, HVAC system, and more all contribute to how well your home uses energy.
Be sure to ask your prospective home builder about their energy-efficiency focus. Here, build quality is incredibly important. Even one aspect of your home being shoddily built could mean a higher energy bill down the line.
Let Zia Homes Build Your Dream Home!
No matter what kind of home you are looking for, you’ll need a team with the expertise to make it a reality. Zia Homes has a portfolio of expertly-crafted homes and hundreds of happy customers. Schedule a meeting with us today to receive more information!