Purchasing a new home requires a great deal of research. However, the amount of research required skyrockets when it comes to building a custom home. Not only is it essential to find a builder with superior service, but it is also helpful to ensure the builder can satisfy your wants. If you have plans to build a custom home, here are some tips you can use to help narrow down your builder options.

Wants and Needs

Ideally, you should begin your search with an idea of what you want and need. Custom home builders will often set parameters on the types of properties they construct, such as a certain price point or with specific square footage maximums. Additionally, in large metropolitan areas, the builder may only offer services in select subdivisions or certain parts of town. 

Portfolio Review

Again, not all builders are the same. A professional, experienced builder can bring any vision to light, but builders often have specific specialties, such as a farmhouse or contemporary home design. Review the builders' portfolio to see how much experience they have with the type of property you want. Not only will this review help you gain greater confidence in their abilities, but you might also gain some new inspiration. 

Clear and Concise

Be clear and concise when you speak with a potential builder about your expectations. For example, do you need the property completed by a certain date? The bids that builders provide you are based on the information you relay, so the clearer you are about your expectations, the more confident you can be that the proposal you receive is accurate. 

Home Warranty

Most builders provide buyers with a home warranty that essentially guarantees their work, including everything from cabinetry work to electrical issues, for a set period. While standard, not all warranty offerings are created equal. Given how much of an investment a custom home is, it is often safest to choose a builder that provides the most inclusive warranty program.

Loan Preapproval

Custom home builders are sometimes in high demand, and as such, they can pick and choose which buyers they work with. To ensure you can choose the builder you want, instead of choosing one that is available to you, get preapproved for the loan before your search. Buyers who are already preapproved are often more attractive to builders.

Keep these tips in mind as you search for a custom home builder who will bring your home ownership dreams to life.