Whether you’re looking for the right builder for a new home, or you have someone picked out but need to determine what the building process is going to look like, it’s normal to have questions. In fact, you should be asking plenty of questions to make sure you’re choosing the right builder.
With that in mind, here are some of our favorite questions to ask a custom home builder, using our experience as custom home builders in Missoula County.
1. Can I See Other Projects You’re Working On?
This question to ask a custom home builder has two different purposes. First, it is important to know the quality of work you can expect from your own home. Second, seeing other projects a custom home builder has worked on allows you to form trust in their work.
Their quality of work should be illustrated through various properties they’ve worked on, so you can start by viewing photos online, and then get more granular by seeing actual spaces. Doing so can also give you inspiration for your future home. Take note of anything you really like (or really don’t like) and then communicate these items to your builder so your dream home can come together without any missing details!
We Bring Clients to Our Job Sites
Some builders only bring clients to model homes that are staged and ready to be seen. While this is a good tactic, we believe in also walking our potential clients through projects we’re actively working on to give them a first-hand look of our craftsmanship.
Our team is great at what they do, and we’re proud to show off their work. These walkthroughs allow customers to view our artistry and identify a vision that they want to work toward. They also allow us to learn more about each client and identify what we need to do to make them satisfied with their new home.
2. Can I Bring in Blueprints for a Completely Custom Home?
In Montana, you will see that the draftsman approach is typically taken for county homes, and the architectural approach is used for city homes. You can usually customize elements of these plans, which makes the design process a lot less overwhelming.
However, if you’re interested in completely customizing your space, you should make sure that your builder is able to accommodate a completely custom floorplan. They should be willing to work with you to understand your preferences and needs and propose a solution, and this can be discovered when you ask, “Can I bring my own blueprints?” as one of your questions for a custom home builder.
We Customize to Your Needs
At Green Ladder Contractors, we’re able to handle a variety of projects, including new builds, basement finishes, and all sorts of luxury remodels. With all of these experiences, we truly know how to listen to our clients and identify what features make sense to add to their homes.
Whether a client is searching for the right type of home for their needs or has a predetermined plan in place, we’re able to accommodate their preferences and create the home they’ve always dreamed of.
3. Is This Project Going to Be Prioritized?
You deserve to know when your house construction will begin so you can plan accordingly. Ask this question early on, especially if you’re in a time crunch. There’s nothing more frustrating than finding a great builder who realistically can’t get started on your house for 6–12 months. In our experience, we’ve found that finishing projects on time and on budget is something people understandably want.
We Have Our Priorities Straight!
The Green Ladder Contractors team is exceptionally skilled in procurement and project management. We are dedicated to creating a timeline that works for each client and accommodates their needs. However, sticking to deadlines does not mean our work is rushed or sloppy. We simply schedule projects so that a house is not sitting around without any work being completed on it. This allows us to have a higher level of customer satisfaction.
4. Will Prices Increase as My House Is Being Built?
If you add elements to your space, the price can increase. However, when you sign the contract for your project, you and your builder also sign a general lump sum construction agreement.
This is a fixed-price contract where the contractor agrees to complete your new home build for a specific amount that is agreed upon by both parties. It comes with a well-defined scope of work so that there isn’t room for uncertainty or questions. The contract includes all costs like labor, materials, subcontractors, and beyond.
As a transparency note, we do build in an escalation clause to our contracts just to be safe—it helps both of us if something unexpected happens, like big swings in the economy or wild situations like COVID-19. So, while rare, prices could go up a bit if things change out of our control. But we’ll always keep you in the loop and make sure we’re working together every step of the way!
Reach Out with Any Questions You Have
Now that you have a list of all of the important questions you should ask a custom home builder, you should supplement these questions with others relevant to your situation. And if you’re a current or future Missoula resident looking for a new home, we would love to work with you to create a beautiful property.
Reach out today if you need any assistance or want any insights from our expert home builders. We look forward to hearing from you!