If you are in search of a new home, the builder you select is just as important, if not more important, than the floor plan, selections and location that you choose. Purchasing a good quality built home from a reputable builder who will be in business for the long term should be at the top of your criteria when making a selection. Following are some steps and several tips that will help you determine which builder is right for you:

1. Determine the type of home that you want.

2. Narrow down a few locations that interest you or at least the area of town, for example: North Houston, Katy, Inner Loop, Baytown, etc.

3. Get pre-approved for financing to see how much you can afford to finance, review your situation to determine how much money you can put down as a deposit.

4. Contact your local builders association to obtain a list of builders who construct homes in the area of interest.  You can also visit the Web site www.ghba.org and go to the member directory under Custom Builders.

5. Search online, look at builders’ Web sites, look in the local newspaper and/or talk to a local real estate agent. Researching and collecting information prior to setting up any meetings will make the process easier for you.

6. Make a list of builders you want to talk to about building your new home or purchasing a home in your price range. Keep in mind a builder can give you a price range that they build in, but they cannot give you a price per square foot quote without seeing plans, discussing finishes and knowing what type of foundation will be required.

Do Your Research

Once you have narrowed it down and selected a list of builders to meet with, consider visiting some homes they have under construction. Ask for testimonials or references; speak to clients they have already built homes for. Talk to several homeowners to get a few opinions. If you do not

What to Look For

Look at as many new homes as you can for ideas and to look at different quality levels of homes. Home shows and open houses sponsored by builders are good opportunities to view current trends and different construction methods.  Please remember, homes do not need to be furnished or 100 percent  completed to walk through. When touring a home, look at the quality of the construction features. Inspect items like the kitchen cabinetry, tile and wood work, trim work and paint.  Take notes so you remember what questions you have, things you liked and disliked.  Never hesitate to ask questions.  The more you know, the better your experience will be.  

Meeting with the Builder

When you meet face to face with a prospective builder, ask him about his company history, experience, philosophy and process. Give the builder as much detail as possible about what you are looking for in a new home: size of home, number of bedrooms, number of floors, type of roof, special features like media room, number of garage spaces, outdoor living space, exterior material, type of flooring desired. Pictures are always great too.

A builder can help you design your home, select a stock floor plan if you are looking to save money and steer you in the right direction toward the selection process.  The type of foundation cannot be determined until a soils report is completed and the blueprints are engineered. The type of foundation can skew your costs. If you have floor plans already drawn, bring them to your meeting and you might want to leave a set for the builder to refer to if you think the company might be a possibility to build your new home.