Choosing a builder is the most important decision you will make when building a custom home. The right team keeps your project organized, on budget and enjoyable. The wrong one can turn your dream home into a stressful experience. Before you sign, ask these questions. They are the same ones our custom home building team in Jackson, TN expects and welcomes.
A licensed contractor can be verified through the state’s online license search. Make sure the name on the license matches the company on your contract.
Ask for certificates of insurance. Proper coverage protects you if something goes wrong on the job site.
Ask to see completed homes similar in size and style to yours, and if possible, talk to past clients about their experience.
Builders with remodeling experience often bring a practical perspective, because they have seen firsthand what fails in older homes and how to avoid it in new construction.
Ask whether the price includes site work, utility connections, driveways, landscaping and permits. Our custom home cost guide explains what is often priced separately.
Allowances are budget placeholders for items like flooring, fixtures and cabinets. If your selections cost more, the price goes up. Make sure allowances are realistic for the finish level you want.
Ask for a written change-order process that shows the cost and schedule impact of any change before work proceeds.
Payments should be tied to completed milestones, not large amounts up front.
A turn-key, design-build builder handles design and construction together, which keeps pricing and decisions in one place.
Know who you will talk to day to day and how often you will get updates.
An experienced builder will give you a realistic schedule and explain what affects it. See how long it takes to build a custom home.
If you do not own a lot yet, a builder who can assess site conditions and utilities before you buy can save you money. Read what to check before you buy land.
Ask for the warranty in writing, including what is covered, how long it lasts and how to request service.
A local builder with a long history in the community is more likely to be there when you need them.
For remodeling projects, our list of 10 questions to ask a remodeling contractor covers similar ground.
Wolfe Construction Company has been licensed in Tennessee since 1997 (license #39671). We are a design-build firm that both builds custom homes and remodels existing ones, we price as you design, and every new home includes our 3-year workmanship warranty. Schedule a consultation and ask us anything on this list.
Use the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance online license search, and confirm the name and license number match your contract. Learn more about our custom home building in Jackson, TN.
Talking to two or three builders lets you compare pricing, communication and fit. Make sure each estimate covers the same scope.
Production builders offer preset plans with limited changes. A custom builder designs and builds around your needs, lot and budget. Read building a custom home with purpose.
A clear scope, plans and specifications, allowances, a payment schedule tied to milestones, a change-order process, a timeline and a written warranty. See how the steps fit together in the custom home building process.