Building your dream home starts with your vision. You’re the one who knows what you want and are ready to invest to make it happen.
But it takes a team effort to turn your dream into a reality. And it's up to you to select who's going to be on that team.
The Architect
Finding an architect to convert your vision into professional blueprints is the first step most people building a custom home will need to make.
Look for an experienced architect who truly listens to what you want and offers creative suggestions on how to fulfill your wishes without breaking your budget. Good custom home architects freely share ideas of their own, but they never forget that the home is a reflection of your tastes and needs—not theirs.
The Builder
Most custom home builders take great pride in their skill and are committed to building exactly the home you want.
But to avoid the occasional bad apple, be diligent as you evaluate contractors. Ask to see examples of their work, do Internet research, and talk to previous customers, all the while looking for the following characteristics:
- A reputation for quality craftsmanship.
- Dedication to detail, as if it were the contractor’s own home being built.
- A proven ability to not go over budget.
- A history of meeting deadlines and completing projects on time.
- A focus on customer satisfaction (e.g., returning phone calls, consistently providing updates, doing what the customer wants instead of what’s easiest or most profitable).
The Interior Designer
You may have a general idea of how you want the home to look inside but aren’t sure exactly how to pull it off. If so, you can include an interior designer in your team.
As with the architect and the builder, look for an interior designer who clearly understands that their job is to provide you with the look you want, not what they would chose for themselves.
Specialty Contractors
You may also need contractors to perform specific tasks, such as custom hardwood floor installation, which is the role we’d like to play on your team. The same considerations you have used for the rest of the team also apply here.
We’re Here to Help
Ralph’s Hardwood Floors is glad to direct you to companies that we’ve worked with and know do quality work. We’re a great place to start recruiting your "players."
