Being a Spokane custom home builder involves more than just building materials, sub-contractors, timelines and building codes, it's about relationships.

Your custom home will be the foundation of your family's lifestyle and is also one of the greatest financial investments you'll make. The experience of building your dream home should be a positive one.

How do you find a quality builder?

• Contact friends and neighbors who have had experience building their own custom home. Ask them detailed questions about the process and what you should expect.
  
  
• Contact a Spokane realtor who is familiar with new construction. Currently there are over 4,000 homes for sale in the Spokane market with many newly built homes sitting vacant. A good realtor can determine your wants and needs and help you negotiate with a builder. You may be able to save thousands of dollars and several months of your time.
  
  
• Contact the Spokane Home Builders Association. A study has shown that typically the top 15 percent of businesses are involved in their trade association. In Spokane, the Executive Officer for the Spokane Home Builder's Association is Joel White.

What to look for when interviewing a custom builder.

• Personality... You will be working with your custom home builder for several months during the planning stages of your custom home, and then there will be several months during the building phase as well as several months of follow up ensuring that everything in your new custom home works as intended. Ask yourself if you are comfortable communicating with your custom home builder? Do you feel you are really being listened to? Is your custom home builder explaining the process in an easy to understand and straightforward manner?
  
  
  
• Organization... Does your contractor seem to have the necessary organizational skills to coordinate the delicate and continually changing schedules involved in building a custom home?
  
  
  
• Professionalism... Running a construction company is incredibly complex. Many talented craftsmen have decided to become a builder only to realize that the reality of running a business can be daunting. A contractor must stay on top of certifications, employees, taxes, insurance, bidding, accounting... etc. You'll want to make sure that the builder you interview is truly a professional.
  
  
  
• Communication... Is your custom home builder easily reached? You'll want to ensure that you have the ability to easily reach your builder when you have concerns or challenges arise. Also, is your builder comfortable with using a computer and email? You will want to maintain a written record of communication throughout the process.
  
  
  
• Experience... Does the builder have a Superintendant who will be responsible for your project? Will a lead carpenter be there daily to ensure quality construction from all the trades?
  
  
  
• Licensed, Bonded and Insured... Please ensure that the builders you interview are properly licensed by the State of Washington's Department of Labor and Industries. Visit: www.lni.wa.gov to look up a contractor's license and to see if the contractor has any complaints. From the site, you will be able to see who the contractor is insured by. Contact the insurance agent to find out if the builder is properly insured for building a custom home. Finally, contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if the builder has any complaints.
  
  
  
• DO YOUR RESEARCH... In a Washington State Senate Committee Hearing regarding builders, a Senator was quoted saying, "Consumers often spend more time researching the purchase of a vehicle than they research a builder." It is worth repeating... DO YOUR RESEARCH. In the State of Washington, nearly anyone can obtain a general contractor's license! There is no education, experience, or testing requirements. As long as an applicant can obtain bonding and insurance, the State of Washington will issue a General Contractor's license. It is up to you to perform "due diligence". Remember, your custom home is one of the most important financial investments you can make. Make sure you're hiring the right builder.
  
  
  
• Additional Resources... The Building Industry Association (BIAW) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) are excellent resources for information relating to building a custom home and choosing a builder. It would be wise to educate yourself about the building premit process. The City of Spokane Building Department has a great web page with frequently asked questions relating to building permits. Research Spokane County's Building Department as well.
  
  
  

Above all else, trust your instinct. And remember, if the price is too good to be true... it probably isn't a deal. Make sure to get everything in writing. Compare costs of similarly constructed homes. Use the services of a qualified Spokane Realtor to research prices of similar homes.

Best wishes!