Building a custom home is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people. This makes choosing the right custom home builder all the more important. But if you haven’t gone through the process before, it can be difficult to know exactly how to go about hiring a Delaware custom home builder.
While each homeowner’s needs are different, there are some great questions that everyone should ask when interviewing custom home builders. The answers to these questions, such as how long a builder has been in business, will help you narrow down your options considerably. In Delaware, Carl Deputy & Son Builders will happily answer all of your questions and help you decide if our company is the right fit for you.
For nearly 40 years, our construction firm has built custom homes in Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware, plus the Eastern Shore of Maryland. We take a two-pronged approach to our work: (1) offering the highest level of customer service while (2) building custom houses using the finest craftsmanship and materials. Contact us today to talk to our Delaware custom home building team about your new construction home.
Have questions about building a home or making home renovations? Sometimes talking directly to an expert is easier than reading a post. Speak with a builder at Carl Deputy & Son Builders > (302) 284-3041
21 Questions That You Should Ask When Choosing a Delaware Custom Home Builder
If you have made the big decision to build a custom home, then the next step will likely be to choose a builder for your home. There are a lot of options when it comes to construction companies in Delaware. This can make it hard to choose a custom home builder that meets your needs.
To help you with the process, we have come up with a list of questions to ask when interviewing builders. Remember: you’re hiring them, so you should ask as many questions as you need to ask to feel comfortable with your choice. These questions are a good place to start, and can be supplemented with your own inquiries.
1) How Long Have You Been in the Custom Home Industry?
This question is a big one because it says a lot about the builder’s experience and their ability to properly run a business. A newly-established contractor can do a great job, but they might not have the same qualifications and experience as someone who has been in business for decades. For example, they might not be familiar with the rules related to the Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations, which could mean that your construction project is stalled.
Being well-established as a business also tends to indicate that a construction company builds quality homes and has satisfied customers. Simply put, a custom home builder won’t last too long if they build shoddy houses or treat customers poorly. If a contractor has been working in the region for decades and has a good reputation, you can probably trust that they will do a good job. Our firm has worked in the region since 1986, helping homeowners build beautiful custom homes.
2) Are You Fully Licensed and Insured?
If your custom home builder isn’t licensed and insured, then you shouldn’t hire or work with them. Typically, the builder should have a state license and should have (at a minimum) commercial liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Having insurance means that if something goes wrong on the job site, such as a worker falling and getting hurt, you are less likely to be on the hook for the losses. Carl Deputy & Son Builders is fully licensed and insured.
3) Can You Help Me Find Land for My Custom Home?
If you have an idea in mind for where you want to build but aren’t really sure how to go about choosing land, the contractor should be able to help you pick suitable property. There are a lot of different things to consider when it comes to buying land for new home construction, such as the grade, soil quality, and the presence of things like large rocks and trees. If you want to build on your lot, our team can help you choose land that will be perfect for building.
4) What Level of Customization Can I Expect?
There is a difference between custom and semi-custom homes that largely comes down to the amount that you can customize your home. With some builders, even custom homes are limited to certain parameters. When you are talking to custom home builders, make sure to ask what level of customization you can expect. Will you get to choose your own design and pick every feature, or will your options be more limited?
5) Will I Get a Home Warranty?
A custom home is a big financial investment. A good home warranty will give you peace of mind in knowing that if something goes wrong with your new house, your builders will fix it. A home warranty also demonstrates that the builder has faith in the quality of their workmanship.
6) Will You Keep Me in the Loop During Construction?
One of the big complaints that many people have about their contractors is that they don’t communicate often – or well. Building a custom home is a major decision and investment, so it’s only natural to want to know what is going on with your home throughout the process. Our construction team is dedicated to open communication, with an “open door” policy when it comes to homeowners asking questions, requesting site visits, and more. We answer calls and emails promptly and are always available to help.
7) What Do You Do to Assure Quality During Construction?
Construction occurs in stages, with each new element built on top of the previous one. For this reason, it is important that each stage involves some type of quality assurance process (on top of required inspections). At Carl Deputy and Son Builders, we take the time to carefully check our work to make sure that it is done to the highest standards before moving on to the next phase of construction. In this way, our customers have peace of mind in knowing that their house is well-built.
8) Do You Offer Energy-Efficient Options?
Energy-efficient homes can save you a lot of money, both in terms of rebates and your monthly expenses moving forward! If you are building a new home, make sure that your builder knows how to make it energy efficient. This can include both building materials as well as construction techniques that are designed to make a house more energy efficient.
9) How Do You Select Subcontractors?
For any home build, there is often some specialty work that requires the use of subcontractors. When interviewing custom home builders, ask if they use contractors on any of their projects. If so, be sure to ask about how they choose them, including if they have any long-term relationships with subcontractors. This will give you a good idea about how seriously they take the quality of your construction.
10) How Is Pricing Determined?
A custom home can cost anywhere from a few hundred thousand dollars to more than $1,000,000. A contractor should be able to break down costs for you in a way that makes sense. This may include an explanation of labor costs, how material selection will impact cost, and more. They should also be able to provide you with a rough estimate of what it will cost to build your house based on what you want.
11) Do You Have Examples of Your Work?
If you are building a house, it is always a great idea to ask to see samples of the company’s work. Typically, a custom home builder will have a portfolio with pictures of their work (interior and exterior). This will give you a better idea of the type of house that the contractor builds and whether their style is a good match for your vision.
12) Can I Tour a Model Home or a Home Built for Another Customer?
While looking at a portfolio is great, there is something about being able to actually walk through a home and actually see the work. Be sure to ask custom home builders if they have a model house that you can tour, or if you can look at a house they built for someone else. Even if the model home is for a semi-custom house, it will give you an idea of what type of work the builder does and whether it’s a good fit for you.
13) Do You Have Experience Building Houses Like Mine?
Builders often specialize in a certain type of house style, such as large lakeside homes or modern condos in urban areas. If you have a particular house style or type in mind, you should absolutely ask about the contractor’s experience with it. If they haven’t built many homes like what you want, they might not be the right company for you.
14) What Is the Construction Timeline?
While each construction project is different, it’s good to ask about the typical time that it takes a contractor to build a custom home. This isn’t a guarantee that a project will be done within a certain time frame, but it does give you a better idea of what to expect. Once your plans are finalized and your land is chosen, the contractor should be able to give you a firmer timeline and should communicate with you about any delays.
15) Am I Able to Make Changes to My House Plans During Construction?
It isn’t unusual for a homeowner to realize during construction that the idea they had in their mind for their house isn’t what they want once it starts to take shape. When interviewing contractors, ask about their policies related to change orders. Are they able to make changes during the building process? Is there a cut-off? Are there fees for change orders? Knowing this in advance will help you make a more informed decision.
16) What Sets You Apart from Other Delaware Custom Home Builders?
If you’re deciding between a couple of different builders, ask each company what they offer that others do not. This is a great way to learn about perks and things that a custom home builder might do that are above and beyond standard for the industry. You can then compare notes and figure out which construction firm is best for your needs!
17) Do You Have References from Past Clients?
Any construction company can have a fancy website that dazzles you with pictures of gorgeous houses. The real question is what the people who live in those homes think about them. Are they happy with the quality of the construction? Have they lived there for years without complaint? References from past clients should be freely offered – if not, it could be a red flag.
18) Is It Possible to Upgrade or Add Features?
To make the design process simpler, many custom home builders offer a range of options to clients, such as a selection of door styles or different tiles that can be installed. Be sure to ask if it is possible to upgrade and use something outside of these options, and what that process looks like. You should also ask if it is possible to add on different features, like an outdoor kitchen or a more expansive deck.
19) Can You Help Me Pick Materials and Fixtures?
Most people don’t have a whole lot of experience choosing the best materials for building a house – after all, you probably haven’t put too much thought into things like the R value of insulation for your house. When talking to custom home builders, ask if they can help you choose materials based on your needs. This can help to ensure that you get exactly the house that you want and need.
20) Can Your Company Work within My Budget?
There is a common misconception that building a custom home is wildly expensive, which isn’t always the case! In many situations, it may cost about the same (or less) to build a new house compared to buying an older house. When interviewing builders, ask how they work with customers’ budgets. Are they able to work within a certain price point? What steps do they take to make sure that they don’t go over budget?
21) What Standard Features Are Included?
Every builder is different. It can be hard to figure out your budget without knowing what is included in your contract for a custom home build. Ask what is considered standard for a company’s custom home builds and what would be a surcharge. For example, is landscaping included? What about fencing or decks? This can help to eliminate surprises when it comes to paying for your house.
Build a Gorgeous Custom Home with Carl Deputy & Son Builders
It can be difficult to know what makes for a good contractor if this is your first time building a custom home. Asking lots of questions about the builder’s processes, pricing, licensure, experience, and more is a great place to start. You should also be sure to ask about the intangibles, like how the company communicates with clients.
At Carl Deputy and Son Builders, we have nearly 4 decades of experience building homes in Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. We have built a stellar reputation for both quality construction and outstanding customer service, making us a top choice for custom homes throughout the region. To learn more or to schedule a consultation with a member of our team, give us a call at 302-284-3041 or fill out our online contact form.
