Building a new home is a major investment. Choose the wrong builder, and you could be stuck with a very expensive mistake. Choose the right builder. and you’ll have a cozy home you can love for years to come and an investment that will pay off. Not sure how to start looking for your builder? Here are some of the best tips for finding a reputable and dependable builder for your new home.

Do Some Research- Start local with a stop at your area home builders’ association. Here you can get a list of reputable builders in your area. Also look up area home prices and see what type of home you can afford.

Talk to Friends, Family Members, and Coworkers- While Yelp can be helpful, going directly to a source you know and trust is better. They can tell you first hand about their experience with their builder and point out mistakes to avoid.  

Ask questions like:

Are you happy with your new home?

When you’ve had problems, were they resolved quickly and correctly?

Did the builder listen to your requests?

Would you use your builder again?

Be Clear About What You Want- Before you choose a builder, you need to know what you want in your new home. Have a list of must-haves before you go see your builder so you’ll be able to find out what they can do. Consider options like:

Wood Floors

Decks

Garden Tubs

Open Concept Layouts

Archways

Investigate Communities and Neighborhoods- When you are buying a home, you aren’t just buying the building, you’re buying the community around it. Visit communities that interest you. See how the building developer has mapped out new homes and green spaces. Talk to possible future neighbors. Go by the area at different times of the day to see what it is like during home hours.

Look for Experience- While new companies might be able to offer lower prices, an experienced firm will save you a lot of money and stress down the road. Make sure you choose a company that is experienced and established. Ask,

How long has the builder been in business?

Do they specialize in home building or do other work too?

How much experience does their team have?

Where can you see their work?

Do they have references?

Look for Licensing and Insurance- Regardless of state requirements, you’ll want to be certain you choose a builder who is licensed and insured. A licensed builder is better equipped to meet your needs and know what they are doing on a build. They’ll be up to date on state codes and modern techniques that can save you money. Using an insured builder protects your property and your pocketbook should any accidents occur.

Warranties for Your Home- As you look over your list of potential builders, look for those that offer warranties on their work and labor. Find a warranty that is a long-term agreement that is insured by a third party and completely spelled out. Have an attorney review the warranty before you sign anything. Professional home builders in South Carolina are happy to supply you with a warranty because they know they can stand by their work.

Pour Over Design Options- You’ve already visited communities and investigated neighborhoods. Now you need to check out design options. Many modern builders have a variety of design templates and options to choose from. They can often work with you to customize any design to fit your personal style and needs.

Consult the Experts- Go to your local real estate agents, code inspectors, suppliers, building associations, and lenders. Talk to them about builders they use on a regular basis. You’ll likely find a few that stand out in the crowd and are used over and over by different firms.

Choose Local- When you’re building your own home from scratch, it really is important to choose a builder who is local and uses local suppliers and subcontractors. Local craftsmen will know the challenges and requirements of building in your area. With low commuting times, they can also get to the build earlier and stay later, speeding up the process for you. Another benefit of choosing local builders is being able to check out their work before you start.

Start Building Your Dream House Today

Enchanted Construction Services have over 30 years of experience building in the upstate region. We are conveniently located near Greenville, SC, Spartanburg, SC, and Anderson, SC to bring you the help you need when you start building your dream home. Give us a call today at 864-895-0601, and we’ll walk you through the process every step of the way.