Buying, designing, and building a home is both an emotional and financial investment. When you partner with a reputable and efficient Indiana home builder, you make sure that investment is in good hands.
If you’re on the lookout for a builder you can trust, chances are you’re considering a few different ones. So, we want to offer several guidelines you can use to check the research box and make sure you choose the right one to trust with your investment.
1. Investigate Their History
How long have they been around? What have they done during that time? Do they have the history to back up what they’re selling? If the builder that you’re considering has only been in the industry for a few years, then ask for other evidence of credibility like the type and amount of work they’ve done. You can even ask them for insight on how they’d handle common problems so that you know what to expect if you end up going with them.
2. Read Their Reviews
When looking for reviews, go beyond what’s featured on their website. At a minimum, check Google Business listings and Facebook pages. What do their customers say about them? Are they satisfied? Are reviews mixed? This is a good place to look for specific mentions of characteristics that are important to you, like quality, timeline adherence, and communication.
Consistent negative reviews are definitely a red flag. So if you’re seeing a lot of negative ones, look for responses from the builder. Did they remedy or explain the subject or are they silent online? Is there a common thread in the negative reviews—like timelines not being met? Keep in mind though that, more often than not, people post public reviews when they’ve had a negative experience. If a builder you like has consistently bad reviews that seem like anomalies, ask the builder for some references that you can contact directly. Then ask those families candidly about their experience. If the negative reviews continue in that format, then it might be wise to look elsewhere.
3. Explore Service Offerings
Does the builder offer everything you’ll need? If not, do they have good relationships with other reputable businesses? This is also a good time for you to review what’s important to you. Are you looking for a large builder who does everything in house, or are you looking for a builder who specializes in one or two aspects but provides the rest through vendor relationships or referrals?
4. Look at Their Team
What type of people do they have on their team? What certifications, training, or licenses do they hold?
This step goes hand-in-hand with exploring service offerings. Take the list of service offerings and compare it to the titles of people on the team. Do they match up? If not, ask the builder why. The people make the business, so this is a good way to get a clear picture on what kind of builder you’re really getting. If you find certain training or certifications lacking, don’t be afraid to ask about it.
Finding the Right Indiana Home Builder
We know research doesn’t sound fun to most people, but when you’re gearing up for an investment like building a custom home, the research is well worth it.
Here at North Homes, we welcome your questions. If you’ve ever considered trusting us with your home, we want to invite you to ask as many questions as you need. You can explore our portfolio, check out our services, and contact us at 765-482-2444 to get started.