Questions to ask a custom home builder

Choosing a custom home builder is one of the larger commitments most people make, and the interview is your best chance to test it. Beyond the obvious "how much" and "when can we move in," the useful questions are the ones that reveal how a builder handles options, changes, problems and the years after handover. You should feel free to ask anything that matters to you; a professional builder wants a satisfied owner and will welcome it.

References and track record

Start where the evidence is:

• Will you give me references from recent buyers or occupants?
• May I speak with owners of homes you finished a year or more ago, not just the newest ones?
• Do you have a financing plan established for buyers?

References from older projects tell you how the homes — and the relationship — hold up once the novelty wears off.

The house, options and allowances

Get specific about what the plan and the price actually contain:

• What options exist in the floor plan — can a basement or a deck be added?
• Can a space such as the basement be left unfinished for now?
• How much customizing is possible versus the standard features?
• Can appliances be upgraded or downgraded, and how are allowances set?
• Does the price include landscaping — and what happens if plants die within the first year?

Allowances are where a tidy headline price often loosens; ask how each is calculated and what happens when your selections run over it.

Customizing and changes

Every custom project changes along the way. What matters is how the builder manages it:

• How are change orders handled — priced, approved and documented?
• At what points can I still make changes without disrupting the schedule?
• Who is my single point of contact when a decision is needed?

A builder who has a clear, written process for changes is telling you the project will not be run on memory and goodwill alone.

Warranty and after you move in

• Do you offer a warranty program, and what does it cover and for how long?
• Will I receive a homeowner manual, and a walkthrough before closing?
• How do I reach you for warranty issues once I have moved in?

The warranty and the after-sales channel are part of the product; read the warranty document, do not just take the summary.

Costs and community

Finally, the questions that place the home in its wider setting:

• Are there additional fees relating to the home or the development?
• Will there be a homeowners' association — and if so, what do the dues cost and cover?
• Are there restrictive covenants I should read before I commit?
• What are the estimated property taxes?
• How is the school system rated, and are day care, groceries and emergency services — police, fire, hospital — convenient?
• Are there major development plans for the area over the next five years?