Choosing the right builder for your home

At EKA Build, we believe in a client-focused approach to home building. We know that as someone looking to build a custom home, you will have many considerations to make when choosing a builder to sign on to your project. Finding the right one is about more than just searching for the company with the best ratings.

The beginning of the process of building a custom home can be overwhelming. You want a custom builder that fits your needs, and on top of making decisions about things like where to build, what type of lot to use, financing, and timelines, you also have to sift through the handful of qualified builders who are eager to take on your project. So how do you approach that decision?

Find out who they are

It starts with recognizing that your custom home builder is someone who you will be in constant contact with for up to the next year, maybe longer. Think about that one coworker who sends really long, rambling emails and copies the whole office. Think about your friend who never answers texts, or that family member who you can never get off the phone. 

You will be emailing back and forth with, texting, calling, and setting up numerous meetings with your builder; you want these elements to be a breeze, not a hassle. Communication and a good working relationship are the cornerstones of the building process, so you want to make sure that your builder is someone you feel comfortable working closely with for an extended period of time.

You also want your builder to be someone you can trust. A custom home is a large undertaking with a lot of your time and hard-earned money involved. The end product will be an investment that you can cherish for your whole life. The builder will be the one overseeing the use of those precious resources and responsible for the outcome of this huge project. Make sure they are someone you can build that trust with. We take this part very seriously at EKA Build. We can’t serve you without a strong mutual trust at the bedrock of your project.

See what they can do

All of the builders you encounter will not be on the same level in terms of their caliber, qualifications, pricing, or capabilities. Look up their past projects, their reviews, see what they say online, talk to them in person, and get a feel for what they do. Just because they are not all equal in their abilities does not mean that the one with the most awards is the right one for you. 

You should be searching for a company that matches your needs specifically. A company with less accolades might have more expertise and experience with the precise type of home you want to build. Another company with a less exacting style might be able to better accommodate your timeline or budget better.

You can also learn about these companies from their past clients. Online reviews and testimonials can certainly tell you a lot about a builder, but don’t stop there! We always ensure that our potential clients get a chance to see our projects in person and encourage them to reach out to past clients to learn about their experiences.  Homeowners who were happy with their service are typically glad to make a recommendation. This step of the process will allow you to see a builder’s work up close and get a better idea of their capabilities than you can see in the pictures. Talking to the clients will give you some important insights into their particular process and if they will work well with you.

Learn about the company

A good builder will not only have a good reputation amongst their clients, but within the building industry as well. Check out how long they have been in the business and if they have good relationships with their subcontractors and vendors. If they have a history of keeping their suppliers and laborers happy, they’ll be able to better keep your project moving in a timely manner and stay on budget.

Keep in mind that it takes time to build that type of reputation. A custom home builder with years of experience has had the time to establish good working relationships, fine tune their team, and keep up with new industry changes. They will have had the opportunity to dial in their operations and spend more of their time on the quality of their craft. With over a decade of experience in the custom home building business, we know that we can deliver on all of your expectations.

The company’s organization can also inform your choice. Take some time to learn how they function. Is it a small company? Large? How many employees do they have? What types of services do they offer? Who will be your point of contact? These factors will determine the type of attention you and your home get. 

A smaller builder might be able to dedicate more time to your project, but might not have the resources to move as quickly as a larger company. That same larger company might have more in house services and resources, but might charge more for their increased overhead, or you might get buried in a long client list. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here, but you should consider what’s important for you and your home.

Do they match you?

Overall, you should be asking yourself: “what is this builder about?” Do they have a core set of values that resonate with you? Do their priorities align with your needs? Think about their approach to quality, service, communication, knowledge, and standards. Do these approaches align with your own? At EKA Build, we are always transparent about our values as a company so that you can make a choice based not only on what we can do, but who we are.

The right builder for you is the one who will meet your expectations and make you feel good about your choice. With a project as important as your custom home, take the time, do the research, and find a company that you can trust to get the job done and done right.