Why are you contacting a custom builder? Are you looking for quality? Shopping local? Based on a referral? Whatever the reason might be, you might want to know some things up front.
Most custom builders are smaller than a tract builder. Therefore they operate a bit differently and the cost could vary. How do they operate differently? Most custom builders are hands on or have smaller operations where they oversee the project. Some like to be at the site to make sure their reputation carries on the highest qualities they are known for. Small custom builders are able to give hands-on customer care and oversee the various subcontractors. One of the other things that sets a custom builder apart from a tract builder is their prices. Custom builders cannot compete with the $80 per square foot prices. Their prices might start at $125 per square foot and go up. Some might be as high as $250 per square foot. Why is there a difference in prices? Chances are the material will be higher quality and the builder will have to pay a bit more since they don’t buy in bulk. Some builders specialize in certain features, whether it is engineered slabs, various inspections, blown in insulation, to high-grade tile or carpet.
If you are looking for quality, you might want to go with a custom builder. Again, they might have the time to oversee the full project. For instance, I have a cousin building in the Dallas area with a tract builder. She keeps pointing out a crack in the stairs, which cracks as you walk on that step. She has asked them to repair it before it is carpeted. Nothing has happened. So where are the quality, communication, and guarantees? Their home has been pushed back two months due to various things (not weather-related). Why can’t the home completion be kept on schedule? Tract builders normally get many homes on the ground. Custom home builders normally don’t take on many at a time. Not taking on many homes can allow them to spend that quality time you are paying extra for and make the scheduled completion.
Shopping local means a lot too. When you select a local custom builder, this also helps with the economic development in your town. If you own a local business, don’t you want everyone to shop, eat, and bank, etc. with your business? The local builder is a business too. The same goes for your other local trades, realtors, etc. Supporting and patronizing local will help the economic development of our/YOUR community. By supporting your local builder, money stays in your town. The builder pays the trades, the trades eat and shop local, live, and so on in your town. It is the trickle-down effect.
Referrals are awesome. We all appreciate them and that is what helps grow our businesses. When you are happy with the job the builder did, tell your friends, family, and more.
So in conclusion, don’t bother calling a custom builder if you are not prepared to pay extra for all the things you want. It’s like buying a high end car with all the bells and whistles versus buying a cheaper car and adding things to it. The high end car will always have the better resale value. Set an appointment with a custom builder to evaluate if this is the right direction for you. And always compare apples to apples in your home designs. Sometimes a custom builder just might be able to deliver that same house with some of those extra bells and whistles for a comfortable price.
For all Your Real Estate and Building needs or questions, call Debbie at 830-833-4249 or 713-818-6658.
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