Choosing your builder is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning a custom home. You’re trusting someone with a significant financial investment, a construction project that will take months to complete, and a home you’ll live in for years.
How do you know which builder is actually right for your project?
Their website and project photos are a good starting point, but they don’t tell you everything you need to know. You also need to have an understanding of how they communicate, structure their pricing, manage the subcontractors working in your home, handle unexpected costs, and follow through on their commitments.
If you’re researching custom home builders in Cheyenne, Wyoming, here are our 6 helpful tips that we recommend looking into before signing a contract.
1. Start by Researching the Builder’s Reputation
Your first step can be a simple Google search. Look at the builder’s website, years of experience, Google reviews, project photos, and any other information you can find about their business.
Tip: If you’re building in Cheyenne, don’t limit your search to builders based in Wyoming. Many Colorado builders regularly work across the state line, and you may find a great fit with a Northern Colorado-based builder who is licensed and has plenty of experience building in your area.
During your research, a builder’s portfolio can tell you a lot about the homes they build, but it doesn’t necessarily tell you what working with them will be like! You should also look at what previous customers say about their experience with the builder.
In their testimonials and Google reviews, look for feedback about:
- Communication and responsiveness throughout construction
- Transparency around pricing and project costs
- How the builder handled unexpected challenges
- Whether the finished home met the homeowner’s expectations
- How the builder addressed their questions or concerns
Don’t stop at the star rating. Read what their past clients say and look for recurring themes. Consistent feedback about communication, honest pricing, and follow-through can tell you a lot about how a builder operates.
At Homestead Home Builders, we’ve been building custom homes since 1990. We encourage prospective clients to read our reviews, explore our projects going on right now near you, and ask questions about how we work.
2. Ask To See Homes They’ve Built and Projects They’re Working On
A portfolio will give you an idea of a builder’s craftsmanship and design capabilities, but if you’re able to see their work in person, that can tell you a lot more.
When you reach out to builders, ask if you can visit one of their projects currently under construction. This will give you an opportunity to see more than what photography captures and get insight into how the builder approaches the actual construction process.
You can also ask for references of previous clients, particularly homeowners whose projects were completed within the last few years.
You can ask those homeowners:
- Was the builder easy to communicate with?
- Did the project stay close to the original budget?
- Were construction milestones and expectations clearly explained?
- How were unexpected issues or changes handled?
- Would you hire the builder again?
A reputable builder should be comfortable discussing and showing their work and connecting you with people who have experienced their process.
3. Understand How the Builder Actually Prices Your Home
This is one of the most important (and perhaps the most overlooked) parts of your research.
Two builders can provide estimates for similar homes that look comparable on paper, but the way those estimates are structured can be very different.
Ask for a detailed explanation of how the builder calculates costs. More importantly, ask if you can see the actual bids and pricing received from subcontractors and material vendors.
Some builders apply additional markups to subcontractor and vendor costs that aren’t necessarily visible to homeowners. If you can’t see the underlying numbers, it will be difficult to understand exactly where your money is going.
At Homestead Home Builders, we believe you should always know exactly what you’re paying for. We show you actual vendor and subcontractor bids, so you can see the real costs behind your project rather than wondering what additional markups are built into the numbers.
When reviewing a builder’s pricing structure, ask these questions:
- Will I be able to see the actual subcontractor and vendor bids?
- Are additional or private markups applied to materials or labor?
- How are builder fees calculated?
- What is included in the original estimate?
- How are allowances and selections accounted for?
You may be surprised at the difference of answers you receive and the levels of transparency provided by different builders! But the more clearly a builder can explain their pricing, the easier it is to understand your investment before construction begins, and not have any rude awakenings later down the road.
At Homestead, 100% transparency is at the heart of how we do business. It is one of the biggest reasons clients choose us, enjoy working with us, and are happy to refer us to their friends and family.
4. Ask How Change Orders Are Priced
Even with a detailed plan, changes can happen during construction. You might decide to upgrade a finish, adjust a design detail, or make a certain selection that affects the original scope of work. The important thing is understanding how those changes (called change orders) will affect your budget.
Ask the builder how they calculate change orders and what additional fees may apply. For example, some builders apply a higher markup to change orders than they apply to the original construction costs. Others add separate administrative or processing fees.
At Homestead, change orders follow the same percentage structure as the rest of the construction contract. This means homeowners aren’t surprised by a completely different markup structure when they decide to make a change.
Before signing, ask for an explanation of the change order process. You should understand how costs are calculated, how changes are approved, and how they potentially affect the construction schedule.
5. Verify Their Licensing and Insurance
Make sure the builder is properly licensed in the state where your home will be built and carries the appropriate insurance. This is especially important if you’re comparing companies that operate across state lines.
Don’t simply take a builder’s word for it. Ask what licensing and insurance they carry and verify the applicable credentials yourself. You should also ask how the builder works with subcontractors and what insurance requirements apply to the trades working on your home.
6. Pay Attention to Communication Before You Sign
The way a builder communicates during the sales process can give you an early indication of what working together might look like.
Are your questions answered thoroughly? Do they explain complicated details in a way you can understand? Are they upfront about costs, expectations, and potential challenges? These things matter because you will be making decisions together throughout your build.
Before your first consultation, spend some time thinking about what you want in your new home. Save inspiration photos, make note of the features that matter most to you, and consider what you already know about your property.
You don’t need every detail figured out, but at least having a general direction will help your conversation be more productive.
When you schedule a call with a builder, come prepared to talk about:
- Where you’re planning to build, and whether you already own the property
- The estimated size and the style of home you’re considering
- Features or design elements that are especially important to you
- Your budget
- Your anticipated building timeline
- Any questions or concerns that have come up during your research
This first conversation should be all about understanding the builder’s process and determining if there’s a good fit. That’s why we developed our Signature Build Clarity Consultation, which is an opportunity to discuss your budget, explore what’s possible on your land, and get a better understanding of what it’s like to build with us. There’s no commitments expected, no sales pitches, and no pressure. Just honest answers to help us understand your priorities and help you decide what’s next. Schedule yours today!
Ready to Start Planning Your Custom Home in Cheyenne?
As you plan your build, the most important thing is to find a company you can trust with the decisions, communication, and investment that will be going into your home.
Homestead Home Builders has been building custom homes since 1990, serving homeowners throughout Northern Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. We believe transparent pricing, consistent communication, and a well-defined building process should be part of the experience.
If you’re planning a custom home in Cheyenne, contact us online or call us at 970-775-3796 to discuss your plans, schedule a conversation, and see if we’re the right fit.