How to Find a Custom Home Builder in NJ

Are you thinking about building a custom home? The selection of a builder will be one of the most important decisions you make.

We’ve discussed the questions you should ask your potential builder to make sure you’re a good fit, but how do you find a custom home builder in the first place? Your builder should not only be qualified and reputable, but they should be someone you know you can trust to do the job right.

Local lenders, reputable realtors, and design professionals should all have some pretty good insights into custom home builders in your area. Starting there would be a wise choice.

Most lenders, real estate agents, building suppliers, and other industry professionals work with builders on a recurring basis. Take advantage of their existing relationships to help you put together a shortlist of names.

Things to Keep in Mind When You’re on the Hunt to Find a Custom Home Builder…

It’s Helpful to Know What’s on Your Must-Have List

Having a good idea of what you want will help clarify whether or not your prospective builder is a good fit for your project. Most builders specialize in a certain style or structure, so look for someone who has experience building the type of home you want to live in.

Look for a Detailed Project Page on the Builder’s Website

This will do a few things: it will verify the builder’s experience, it will provide you with examples of their work, and it will show you if what you’re after is within that builder’s wheelhouse.

We’re incredibly proud of what we do here, and that’s why we showcase our current and recently completed projects on our site, which we’re updating constantly.

Our project page includes the location, floor plans and elevations, professional pictures of finished projects, and a complete description of the home, from the brand names of materials used on both the exterior and interior of the home, down to the finishing details like how many coats of polyurethane we used to seal the hardwood floors.

Not all builders will give you this much information, but we like for there to be no surprises at the end. You should always know exactly what you’re paying for.

Check Out the Builder’s Credentials

Don’t hesitate to ask for proof of licenses and insurance. Licensing requirements vary depending on location and the size of the project, and they don’t transfer from state to state.

It’s important to find out if the builder is carrying the right types of insurance for the size and scope of your project, and what exactly will be covered throughout the process—even after the project has been completed. If something doesn’t feel right, call the issuing insurance agencies to verify the information you received.

Find Out if the Builder Offers Any Sort of Warranty, and What That Would Include

One of the greatest advantages of new construction is that pretty much everything should be brand new and under warranty. An insured third party policy should provide home warranties so that you’re covered even if your builder goes out of business.

When you go to sign a contract with a builder, make sure the warranty is in writing, and also make sure that the builder will transfer warranties for all of the fixtures and appliances that were purchased.

Go See One of the Builder’s Homes in Person

The best example of a custom home builder’s work is one of their existing projects. Tour a model home and pay attention to materials being used as well as workmanship.

If the builder doesn’t have vacant model homes for potential clients to see, you could always ask to speak with current or previous customers to find out about their experiences with the builder. Who knows, they might even be willing to let you walk through their home to check everything out.

Above All, Don’t Rush the Process to Find a Custom Home Builder

Take your time and do your research. This is a really big decision, and you’ll want to make sure that you find a custom home builder that you can trust, and is someone who won’t leave you hanging.

Something that sets us apart from other builders is our constant communication. Whether you’re talking to us on the phone, or using our simple online project management software, you’ll never be left in the dark as to what’s going on with your project.

Give Jerry a call at 201-370-3274

He’s always more than happy to discuss the custom home building process and answer any questions you might have!