You have a vision for your perfect dream home. Now you just need to bring it to life with the help of a good custom home builder in Virginia Beach.
But how do you choose the right custom home builder in Virginia Beach? Who can you trust with your vision? Will they incorporate your feedback? Or will they bulldoze through your suggestions? Will they make the construction process smooth and seamless or a waking nightmare?
You have a lot to consider when choosing the right custom home builder. So let’s break it down!
1. Start by defining your goals, needs, and priorities.
What exactly are you looking for in your custom home build? Not just architectural style and home size, though that is a good starting place. Think long-term functionality. Think 5, 10, 20 years down the road.
Do you want to become the go-to family vacation spot? Well, depending on your family, you might need extra bedrooms. Or bedrooms designed for kids with built-in bunk beds and storage. And perhaps some extra garage space.
If you work from home, then what does your ideal home look like? Big windows and a panoramic view to inspire your creativity? Or something secluded with built-in soundproofing so you can focus?
How about a ground-level in-law suite so you can take care of your aging parents? Or hurricane-resistant materials to protect your investments? Would you like any smart features? Any energy-efficient, eco-friendly features?
You get the idea. It can be a little overwhelming, but start with your goals and then think about supporting features. We then recommend writing out some lists.
- Got-to-have list with your top non-negotiable.
- Would-be-nice-to-have list, lower priority features that would be ideal but aren’t necessary.
- Some take it an extra step with a No-Thank-You list: features that you would like to avoid.
2. Now that you have your clarified vision, you can search for custom home builders who have done similar projects.
You might be tempted to ask ChatGPT for “the top custom home builders in Virginia Beach.” It might even give you a useful short list. But it’ll be very impersonal.
Building a custom home is very personal, so read reviews. Listen to what past clients have to say. If you know any friends or family members who built a custom home, ask them about their experience.
Google reviews are a starting place. Some services can help you compare local custom home builders, like Houzz. We highly recommend Houzz, by the way.
3. Once you develop your short list, evaluate their credentials and experience.
Ideally, every builder you check out will be licensed and insured for your area. But double-check just to be sure because you never know.
For example, we have a Class A Builder’s License. That basically means we can work on projects of any size and any value. The lower classes limit the scope and value of their builders.
We have several other certifications, such as the EarthCraft Green Builders Certification. That means we’ve built houses that are eco-friendly, environmentally safe, and sustainable.
Review their portfolio to see if they’ve done anything like the vision you have in your mind. Then check if they have a proven track record of customer satisfaction.
4. Finally, assess their communication and customer service.
Communication can make or break any project. However, it can be hard to gauge a builder’s communication skills without working with them. When you contact custom home builders in Virginia Beach, pay attention to how promptly and clearly they respond to you.
As for customer service, some independent agencies recognize builders for their outstanding service. For example, we have won the Best of Houzz Service Award for customer service 6 years in a row!
A good builder will listen to your needs, value your input, and be transparent about costs and timelines.
So let’s get started! Contact us for confidential inquiries. Don’t worry, no sales or marketing person will call you (unless you ask us to). Expect a response within 24 hours.