What to Consider When Hiring a Custom Home Builder in Cincinnati, OH

Building a custom home in Cincinnati often has perks over remodeling an older one. With a custom-built home, you are able to have everything exactly as you like it, without worrying about what someone else has done to the property before you moved in. If you are considering this process, the first step is to choose the right Ohio builder for the job. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing a custom home build and the choice of builder for your project.

What Is a Custom Home Builder?

A Cincinnati custom home builder is a builder who will build a home on your land to your exact specifications. Sometimes, clients will choose one of the builder’s commissioned floor plans, while other times the property owner will bring a chosen floor plan for the builder to execute. Working with a custom home builder allows the property owner to do quite a bit of customization on the property.

What to Consider When Building a House

When building a dream home, you have many things to consider. Floor plans, countertop materials, and even paint colors are all decisions you have to make, but before you start shopping for windows and carpet, you must hire a builder. This is, perhaps, the most important part, so you want to make careful consideration about which one you choose.

Questions to Ask a Builder Before Signing a Contract

Before signing a contract on your home, you will want to get some answers about the process from your builder. Some questions that can help you determine if you’ve found the right team of Cincinnati home builders includes:

• What is the timeline for the project?
• What is the home building process like?
• What is included with my home build price quote?
• Does your quote include landscaping?
• What warranties come with the newly built home?
• What are the standard finishes, and what is the cost to upgrade?
• Can I purchase some things, like appliances or materials, myself?
• Do you have examples of past homes like the one I want to build?

The answers to these questions will not only help you understand the home building process but will also give you a chance to get to know the builder and whether they are a good fit for your needs. Remember, you will have many opportunities to communicate with your builder, so make sure you are working with one you can talk to easily.

Look at the Portfolio

Your builders should have a portfolio of custom dream homes they have helped other people build. Ask to see images of some of these and, if possible, actual construction that is nearing completion. This will help you see the quality of work you could expect if you work with this builder. Don’t be afraid to use that portfolio to ask for client references and actually call those clients. You are investing a lot of time and money into your new home build, so you want to ensure it is exactly what you want.

Ask About Subcontractors

It takes a team to build a home.  Custom home builders will use subcontractors for part of the building process. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you should be aware of whom they use and why before you sign up for a particular builder’s services. Make sure you are comfortable with the subcontractors used and the process for choosing them.

Consider the Quote

The price cost for a home build can appear to vary significantly from one project to the next and from one builder to the next. Knowing the differences is more than asking about square foot costs.  However, once you start to compare apples to apples, prices will generally start to make sense.  By listing out some key things you want in your home, you are giving each builder a better idea of your expectation. This will help you budget and also help you make the right choice for a builder. Avoid the temptation to choose the most affordable quote. The old adage you get what you pay for reins true.  A high-quality builder using the right materials and quality trade partners will have a higher cost, but that will pay off with the longevity and beauty of your home.

Go With Experience

Finally, make sure the builder you choose has extensive experience. You want to know that the builder knows what they are doing not only with the building but also with working with local zoning and permits. The more experienced, the better, when it comes to custom home building.

Reach Out to Chris Gorman Homes

If you are looking for Cincinnati custom home builders that work with honesty and have the right experience and knowledge, consider Chris Gorman Homes. We are a design/build company, which means we do the entire project from the initial blueprints to the final walk-through. Learn more about how our custom home building process works, or browse our gallery of completed projects. Then contact us to get started with your free custom home building quote.