6 Questions to Ask Your Builder Instead of Just Price Shopping

When building a custom home, it is easy to focus on one number: cost per square foot.

One builder is $250/sq. ft. and another is $290/sq. ft., so naturally, the lower number can look like the better deal.

But what if the $290/sq. ft. builder includes more?

Different builders include different finishes, allowances, specifications, construction practices, and levels of service. That is why cost per square foot alone can be misleading.

At Buffum Homes, there are times when we may not win the cost-per-square-foot comparison. That is okay. We would rather you understand the value behind the number and make sure you are truly comparing apples to apples.

Before choosing your builder, ask these six questions:

1. What is actually included in your price?

Ask about cabinetry, countertops, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, appliances, landscaping, excavation, utility connections, and more. Pay close attention to allowances and exclusions.

A lower price does not mean much if you have to spend more later to get the home you actually want.

2. Are we really comparing apples to apples?

Two homes can have the same square footage and dramatically different prices based on finishes, specifications, floor plan, structural details, and what’s included.

Don’t just ask, “What’s your price per square foot?”

Ask, “What am I getting for that price?”

3. What level of quality and craftsmanship should I expect?

Ask about materials, construction methods, subcontractors, and quality-control standards. Better yet, walk through homes the builder has completed.

The goal is not simply to get the most square footage. It is to build a home you will be proud of for years to come.

4. Are You a Fixed-Price or Cost-Plus Builder?

This is an important one.

With a cost-plus builder, the final cost can change as labor, materials, and other expenses change. With a fixed-price builder, the construction price is established upfront, with changes generally occurring when you choose to make upgrades or changes.

Buffum Homes is a fixed-price builder. Once your construction contract is signed, we stand behind that agreed-upon construction price. If material or labor costs increase during your build, those increases are ours to absorb, not yours.

Make sure you understand not only what the builder’s price is, but how that price works.

5. What does the building process look like?

Ask who your primary contact will be, how communication works, who manages the project, and how questions or issues are handled.

The building experience itself has value. Good communication, organization, and accountability can make a huge difference.

6. What happens after I move in?

Ask about the builder’s warranty and service process. Who do you contact if something needs attention after closing?

You are not just choosing someone to build your house. You are choosing a company to stand behind it.

Look Beyond the Number

Cost per square foot is an easy number to compare, but it does not tell the whole story.

The real question is not, “Who is cheapest?”

It is “Who gives me the best value for the home I want to build?”

Compare the specifications. Compare the allowances. Compare what is included. Compare the process. Compare the service.

Most importantly, make sure you understand what you are actually getting for your investment.

Don’t make the mistake of choosing the lowest number before understanding what that number includes. Your dream home deserves a better comparison than that.