There’s a lot of companies out there that claim to be the best, but not all of them can be trusted. Make sure you do your research and find a home builders with a good reputation and plenty of experience. These tips will help you narrow down your choices. The best way is to ask both general and specific questions.

Get a quote from multiple companies for your new home

Getting quotes from multiple companies will allow you to compare prices, but it will also give you the opportunity to compare the customer service of each company. This is especially important if you are just getting quotes from companies online. Determine who the top referrals are for the current home builder in your area and avoid purchasing anyone from companies who have few to no referrals. The name of the game when searching for a new builder is to place as few constraints on the designer as possible to offset future cost increases.

When searching for a builder, be sure to look at the following attributes:

Will they build a 125-unit mixed-use building, with ground floor apartments on each side? This is commonly referred to as a “widowmaker,” as these units typically fall into the lowest end of the home builder spectrum. Builders generally, do not like to build large mixed-use residential buildings that take longer than two years to complete. Additionally, larger mixed-use buildings typically cost more money per square foot than single-family homes. As many as you can afford. The more staff members, the more happy clients they have because they tend to have better project management systems and overall better outcomes.

4. How many finishes and finishes will be completed by who?

A property will be completed either by the original designer with professional finishes or someone else. It is imperative that the builder you hire will be familiar with the finishes commonly used in the market they are working in and have pride in implementing these finishes. This is usually a less expensive change for everyone involved, as the builders will usually save money on finishes they do not use.

3. Choose a builder that is experienced with the kind of home you want to build

  The builder you choose to build your home is the most important factor in the success of your project. You want to choose a builder that has experience building the kind of home you want. For example, if you want a custom home, you’re going to have to choose a builder that has experience building custom homes.

Make sure your marketing matches your builder.

Five to two. That’s the rule of thumb for choosing a builder. Meaning they need to be five to two better than you.

 Make sure your home hire matches your builder.

Just don’t hire a builder who is new to your area. They might have the skills, but take them for a test drive first. Yes, they can rebuild the house, and yes, they might have a cheap budget, but finding out if they’re good at what they do can be very important.

 Your builder DOES have experience building homes.

As in-home. Housing. House building. Don’t brush this fact aside. Make sure your builder has at least a year of experience building homes, in which they hire subcontractors and do up to 750 house builds per year. Try hiring your builder for two years if you can get it.

 A home builder needs to understand your needs.

The more involved the person is in your project, the better. That means they need to have a good understanding of your goals. Plan out budgets and projects, what home you want, and how you want it done. Once the agreed-upon details are agreed upon, you have to have a relationship with your builder. Build that relationship and you’ll have better success with your builder.

 Your builder needs to build like you.

A good builder is going to understand your needs. That builder is going to tailor their skills to your needs. A home builder has to understand your level of need – what do you expect, wear and tear, fire safety, family type, demand.

Check on the builder's financial stability and liability coverage

When it comes to the actual construction, you want to make sure that you’re working with a reputable builder who’s licensed and insured. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have any complaints or concerns, and check with your state building department or insurance company to see if they have any open claims with the builder.

Before you make a purchase, always get an appraisal and feel comfortable with the numbers. All home values go up, and it is usually worth checking out the latest appraisal or seeing if there is anything unusual about the home. This way you can make informed decisions about your new purchase.

 Ask your builder about the fees for different finishes, as prices for different finishes can vary widely. If you have questions, make sure to ask!

 Next, make sure all aspects of the home are coming together to make it a win-win for you and your new home.

 If you intend to live in the home for a significant amount of time, it is a good idea to purchase as many points of interest (POIs) as possible. POIs include saltwater flowing pools, a mountain range to the northeast, or an area with a substantial lake. Many real estate investors prefer purchasing multiple POIs or purchasing rentals near popular places, which means these factors take more consideration.

 Before listing your home, invest in landscaping and adding privacy to your home. This will make it feel more private and comfortable, especially if you live by yourself.

 Ask about pictures of your home. Pictures are a cheap way to communicate property details. Your home should always be listed on the MLS, but listing pictures make it memorable and add a personal touch.

 If the pictures don’t really show the amenities of the home, then figure out what you want in a rental property and write down those details.

 If you have kids currently in school, then you should always talk with the school about buying your home for their kids' education.

Look at more than just the price of the home when comparing builders

While it’s important to look at the price tag of the home, don’t forget to look at other factors like how long it will take to build the home, the quality of the materials used, and the quality of the construction. The builder may be asking for a deposit, which is often higher than you might think — this is to ensure they will follow through with their construction.

When you’re buying a new home, one of the first things you’ll find is a price list. The price list will typically include a range for everything from the proposed asking price to various contingencies and optional extras.