Today we are going to give you some tips on how to find the best custom home builder.
L. Patten & Sons specializes in custom-built homes in Collingwood and the Blue Mountain area. We'd love to put our 60 plus years of experience building custom homes to work for you to build your dream home!
We'll give you some helpful advice on what to look for when you are choosing a custom home builder to work with. So let's get going.
Discover how to find the perfect custom home builder
Tips for Choosing Your Custom Home Builder
Choosing your custom home builder is just as important as choosing the style and location for your home. You want to make the right choice so that your custom home will be built exactly how you envisioned it, in the timeframe that you were promised and to the high standard that you deserve.
Don't just choose the first builder you find. Make a list of potential candidates that build in your area and then do some research to ensure you choose the best one.
Here are some tips to help you.
1. Look for Experience
Find out how many years of experience the custom home builder has. You don't want to go with a builder who is brand new with very little experience. The more years that the builder has been in business in your area will also give you a pretty good indicator of the quality of their work.
Usually, a company that has been in business for a long time, has been able to stay in business because they are good at what they do.
Choose a custom home builder with lots of experience
2. Make Sure They Have the Proper Certifications
Only work with a builder who is Tarion certified. Tarion is a non-profit consumer protection organization set up by the Ontario government to administer Ontario's new home warranty program. Read through the warranty that Tarion provides so that you know what is and isn't covered and what your rights are.
Check that the builder has additional insurance for General Liability or Workers Compensation.
You should also find out what type of service you can expect after the sale. Most builders will make at least 2 service calls during the first year after the build to address any issues that may have arisen and repair anything that is covered by your warranty. If the issue is an emergency, then the builder should send someone to fix it right away.
Find out what your warranty covers
3. Check Out Their Previous Builds
Ask the custom home builder for a list of references of clients that they have recently completed a build for, so that you can contact them and ask questions about their experience. Here are some sample questions you can ask:
Would you use this builder again?
Was the quote you were given the same as what you paid or were there any "surprise" charges?
Did they complete the build on time?
Did they listen to your requests and try to fulfill them?
Were they easy to work with?
Was the quality of the work what you expected?
Was the builder willing to make changes along the way?
You can also drive by these homes to see what they look like in person.
Find out if the builder was easy to work with and willing to listen
4. Choose a Custom Home Builder with a Great Reputation
In addition to asking previous clients in person about their builder, you can also do some online research. Take a look at each builder's Google reviews. This will let you read about the experience of a larger number of customers than you could talk to personally.
Take note of all of the comments, both positive and negative to get a good sense of the overall reputation of the custom home builder you are considering. The more opinions you read, the more accurate your overall picture will be.
Read the online reviews of the custom builder you are considering
5. Ask about Their Pricing
Pricing can be a determining factor when choosing your custom home builder. Remember that a lower price often means lower quality, however, a higher price doesn’t guarantee that you will get the highest quality of workmanship. That is why it is also important to use the previous steps in making your decision as well.
Pricing not only depends on the size of the home you are building but also on the type of materials you choose and the design features you want to be included. Putting together an accurate quote takes time, so you need to be patient.
Gathering full pricing can take weeks of steady work to get right. A good builder will be able to give you an accurate quote and will not present you with unexpected costs along the way.
Building a custom home is a huge investment, so you want to know upfront, what it is going to cost. You don't want to find out part way through your build that you won't have enough money to finish.
Pricing will depend on a number of factors such as the size and design of your home
Get The Best Custom Home Builder: L. Patten & Sons
If you are thinking of building the custom home of your dreams, contact L. Patten & Sons. L. Patten & Sons bring over 60 years of custom home building experience to every project we undertake. We take pride in building custom homes that are as beautiful to look at as they are comfortable to live in.
We make it our goal to help all our clients realize their dreams. We are known for our:
Quality craftsmanship,
Attention to detail, and
Complete customer satisfaction
All of these great qualities are what sets us apart in the Collingwood and Blue Mountain area custom home building community. Take a look for yourself at our gallery of some of the custom homes that we have built.
As a member of the Tarion Warranty Program, you can rest assured that L. Patten & Sons Limited is a name you can trust. Contact us today to get started on your dream home.
““Jerry & the team at L Patten & Sons did an outstanding job building our home. Building a custom home is complex with many challenges, the team went above & beyond. Our family loves the home that they built us. Honesty & Integrity comes to mind when I think of L Patten & Sons.””