Choosing a builder is a major decision. You already know this if you’ve seen the countless options when you search for a local builder. The company you select will be responsible for creating the home that you will live in for years to come. You want to be sure that you get the right balance of cost, speed, and quality so that the project is completed within budget, on time, and to the standards you expect.
Home builders range from one-person companies to larger organizations that produce a large volume of homes each year. The type of builder you choose will depend on how much you want to customize your home, how fast you want it done, and how much you’re able to pay.
When evaluating your options, it is crucial to take the time to read customer reviews to get an idea of what it’s like to work with each builder. Use these tips to get the most valuable information:
Consider the Number of Reviews
A builder with few or no reviews is a red flag for several reasons. They might be so new to the industry that they have not yet built enough homes to get reviews, or their customers might not have many nice things to say about them. If you are considering a builder that doesn’t have a strong online presence, ask to speak to previous customers so you can learn about their experience and what it was like to work with them.
Dig into the Details
The most valuable reviews are the ones with the greatest level of detail, so look for those when scanning through. Look for information about how clean the site was during the building process, whether the project was completed on time, and how easy it was to communicate with the builder.
Look for Challenges
It’s rare for the home building process to go completely smoothly. Inclement weather, surprises at the site, and other factors can create unexpected delays or force the builder to test their problem-solving skills. Look for reviews that mention these types of issues and see how the builder performed. Builders can’t control everything that might happen during the process, but they can control their reactions. Find a builder that has the experience to predict potential problems before they arise and who knows how to address them when they do come up.
Ask to Speak to Former Customers
If you are seriously considering one or two builders, ask to speak with a few former customers so you can learn more about what it’s really like to work with them. You can learn a lot from their tone, what they share, and what they choose not to talk about. If you have specific concerns, ask about them directly. It’s also a good idea to ask if there is any reason why you shouldn’t select that builder.
Look Outside the Builder’s Website
Most builders aren’t going to post bad reviews on their own websites, so look at other resources, like Yelp and Angie’s List, to see a complete list that has not been curated. Bear in mind that one or two bad reviews don’t necessarily mean a builder should definitely be avoided. However, it’s important to take negative reviews into account when making your decision. In general, if the positive reviews greatly outweigh the negative ones, the bad customer experiences are not the norm.
If you’d like to learn more about what it’s like to build with Adair Homes, check out our customer blogs to get a window into the process from start to finish. We also have several written and video testimonials from happy customers.
