QUESTIONS WE ASKED IN OUR BUILDER INTERVIEWS

Lots of these questions were covered in generic discussion, but here's really the key points you want to review to make sure you're properly getting to know your builder!

1. Are you interested in our project; do you have the availability?

2. Tell us your background; how long have you been building custom homes?

   1. Have you built modern/contemporary style?

3. What is the price range for the homes you build?

   1. Price per square foot for recent homes?

      1. What is included in that? Landscaping/Driveway?

      2. Is builder fee included in that and how is that calculated?

4. Can you share some references with us and houses we could visit or drive by?

   1. Any photos you can share as well? (If not available online)

5. What is the location of your subcontractors and would you build in our area?

6. What are the names of some vendors/suppliers we could speak with?

   1. *TIP: Also use subcontractors as references to ensure the builder's overall professionalism, reputation, and reliability in paying subs on time.

   2. Will you have new subs you’ve never worked with working on my project?

7. Do you have insurance for the build?

   1. Can you provide a copy of that? (Workman's comp, general liability)

8. What type of contract do you use?

   1. How do you determine the home cost; when is the final price determined?

   2. Can you provide me with a detailed cost breakdown for our plans?

9. Do you have an architect you typically use?

10. How accurate are you coming in on budget?

    1. Finishing on time?

11. How do you manage changes during the build process?

12. Do you offer home warranties and what/how long is the coverage?

13. Can you make our home energy-efficient?

14. How long will it take to build my home?

15. Who will oversee construction? What is their availability/how many projects working at once?

    1. How many homes do you build per year?

    2. What is relationship/communication method you look for with a client?

16. Will I have full access to the build site?

17. What is your inspection process?

    1. Would I hire an independent inspector as a part of our contract?

    2. Do you perform quality assurance inspections for your trades?

18. What brand of materials do you use?

    1. Windows, floors, siding, doors, cabinets

19. Can I pick out the materials? Will you assist with this?

    1. What is the process to make these selections?

    2. Am I responsible to go to all the vendors to pick up orders (e.g. tile), or does someone assist me?

20. What’s the first step in your process?

Questions I asked the past clients:

1. Tell us your overall experience with this builder.

2. Did you come in at or near budget?

   1. Cost per square foot?

3. Was the site clean, safe, organized?

4. Did he/she pay their bills?

5. Did you finish at or near estimated timeline?

6. Did the builder ‘disappear’ after the build? Or did they take care of warranty items?

7. What was communication like?

8. How was the quality? Things to fix?

*TIP: Another thing I avoided was telling a contractor exactly what my budget is to spend on the house. I did give a range to some of them. But instead, I just designed the house to see what they authentically quote it at.

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