How to Choose a Home Builder: 8 Key Steps to Finding a Good Contractor

Wondering how to choose a home builder for your new build or renovation? Here’s what you need to know to find the best contractor in Vancouver.

If you’re wondering how to choose a home builder, you’re not alone. Finding a good contractor is essential to ensure quality construction and a positive experience. But what makes a good contractor? To help simplify the selection process, our home building experts have compiled the key information you’ll need to consider to choose the best builder.

In this article, we’ll discuss the most important characteristics to look for in a contractor. We’ll also provide a step-by-step process for how to choose a home builder in Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Plus, based on our knowledge of what makes a reliable and trustworthy contractor, we’ll share a list of questions that you can take with you to interview prospective builders.

Ready to learn how to choose a home builder? Here’s what you need to know.

Content Quick Links:

What makes a good contractor?
What to Do Before Choosing a Custom Home Builder
How to Choose a Home Builder – 8 Key Steps
Questions to Ask Potential Contractors
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Contractor
Top-Rated Vancouver Contractor
Key Takeaways

Before we discuss how to choose a custom home builder, it’s important to explore what makes a good contractor. That is, what qualities should you look for to ensure you hire an experienced, high-quality builder that also offers fair pricing?

There are two sets of qualities you should look for when choosing a home builder. First, look for general characteristics that signify a good contractor. These qualities will ensure the home builder is trustworthy and exceptional at what they do. Secondly, look for specific qualities that make the contractor right for you and your new build or renovation project. These qualities will ensure you hire a contractor that suits your needs, making the home-building experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

So, what are the qualities that make a good home builder? Here’s what to look for.

How to Choose a Home Builder – General Qualities That Make a Good Contractor

When choosing a contractor, look for the following qualities. These characteristics signify a home builder who is reliable, trustworthy, committed to quality, easy to work with, and excellent at what they do!

Extensive Experience

Look for a home builder with years of experience building and renovating homes in your area. Local experience is essential, as it guarantees the contractor is intimately familiar with local regulations, building codes and standards, environmental factors, etc. 

A longstanding business will also have local connections that can benefit you throughout the building process!

PRO TIP: The more years of experience, the better! But when it comes to Vancouver home builders, look for contractors with 10+ years of experience. Contractors with a decade or more of experience can provide invaluable guidance, advice, and even custom home building tips along the way!

Exemplary Reputation and Positive Client Relationships

Reputation is among the most important factors when choosing a custom home builder. A good contractor will have many positive online reviews and be well-known and highly regarded in their community.

PRO TIP: Positive reviews from sub-trades and suppliers are also great indications of a good contractor and can be just as helpful as reviews from past clients. Kind words from a home builder’s peers demonstrate they are reliable, trustworthy, and easy to work with.

Honest and Transparent

The best guides to how to choose a home builder list honesty and transparency as crucial characteristics to look for in a builder. But how do you know if a contractor is honest and transparent? 

Start with their website. Are they upfront about their home building process? Next, contact them to discuss your project and get a quote. Do they provide transparent pricing and honest feedback about your ideas and goals? This information will help you determine if a custom home builder is honest, transparent, and suitable for your project.

PRO TIP: A “yes man” is not always what you want in a contractor. Some home builders promise things they cannot deliver (or can’t deliver within your budget). At Hasler Homes, we’ll be upfront and honest about your home building plans from the start, so there are no surprises. This open and honest communication lets you know what’s possible within your timeframe and budget.

Commitment to High-Quality Construction

To ensure your home provides comfort and enjoyment for generations, look for a quality builder that focuses on high-quality construction. But what makes a quality builder? 

A quality builder uses high-quality building materials and employs thorough, detail-oriented (but adaptable) processes.

PRO TIP: To determine whether a home builder uses high-quality materials and processes, check out their website. Home builders dedicated to quality construction will share this information online. If you’re still unsure after reviewing their website, just ask!

Associated with Reputable Building Organizations

Look for a custom home builder in Vancouver who is associated with reputable organizations like HAVAN, The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of British Columbia (CHBA BC), The Independent Contractors and Business Association (ICBA), Holmes Approved Homes, Built Green Canada, Net Zero Canada, etc. Partnerships with these organizations indicate that a company offers efficient, high-quality, sustainable home construction services.

PRO TIP: When considering how to choose a home builder, look for contractors who have received recognition for their work! There are numerous home-building awards in Canada that recognize the very best builders. A contractor who has received awards and is associated with reputable building organizations, like those mentioned above, is a foolproof option.

Offers Design Support

Vancouver’s best custom home builders have connections with top architects and interior designers and can offer design support throughout the home-building process. 

The benefit of working with a builder that offers design support is that they will plan, coordinate, and manage these processes and relationships. In addition, the contractor can pair you with an architect and designer who will provide the best results based on your style, needs, and preferences. As a result, your home-building experience will be more enjoyable (and less stressful).

Provides Access to Reliable Insurance

The home builder you choose should have partnerships with reputable insurance companies. For example, Hasler Homes works with Travelers Insurance and 2-5-10 Year Warranty to provide homeowners with reliable protection and coverage. This ensures peace of mind and financial protection for one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make!

Strong Communication Skills

Good communication skills are another vital quality to look for in a contractor. This will guarantee your project goes as smoothly as possible! But how can you tell if a home builder is a good communicator? 

To determine a contractor’s communication style and effectiveness, check out Step 6 in our How to Choose a Home Builder Process below.

Organized

Finding a home builder who is organized both on-site and off-site is also essential. Organization and planning ensure effective resource and budget allocation and smooth project execution.

PRO TIP: When exploring home builders in Vancouver, look for companies that openly share their building process. Within this process, they should mention an organization and planning stage. The inclusion of this stage demonstrates that the contractor understands the importance of organization and planning and allocates time to these essential steps.

Efficient and Effective Project Management Skills

Strong project management skills are a must to ensure your project is completed on time, on budget, and goes as smoothly as possible. Therefore, it is important to choose a home builder with dedicated and experienced project managers.

PRO TIP: Not sure if a potential home builder has experienced project managers on their team? Check out their website’s “Meet the Team” section to read bios about each team member. Alternatively, just ask!

Customer Service Focused

To guarantee a great home-building experience, look for a builder dedicated to a client-first approach. A commitment to customer service will ensure the contractor is there to listen, answer questions, and address any concerns you have throughout the home-building process.

Now that you know how to choose a builder for your new home based on general characteristics, let’s explore some specific qualities that make a builder right for you.

How to Choose a Home Builder – Qualities that Make a Contractor Right for You

Choosing a custom home builder that can meet your needs and preferences is crucial. Here are some qualities to look for that indicate a contractor is the right fit for you and your project.

Experience with the Building Style You Prefer

Different builders have experience with different home styles. Therefore, it is important to look for a contractor with experience building the same style of home you want to build.

For example, if you want to build a farmhouse in Vancouver, look for a home construction company that has built farmhouse-style homes in the past.

Personal Compatibility

Choosing a home builder with whom you’re compatible is also essential. Throughout the home-building process, you’ll spend a lot of time working and communicating with your builder. Therefore, finding a good contractor with a compatible communication style is vital in ensuring smooth communication and a positive home-building experience.

PRO TIP: While not essential, finding a team of builders with whom you get along on a personal level and enjoy working is a bonus!

BONUS: Green Building Practices

If you want to build an environmentally friendly or Net Zero home, you’ll need an experienced green builder. But even if you don’t plan on building a Net Zero home, finding a home builder in Vancouver who is committed to sustainable building practices is a bonus. With the help of an eco-friendly builder, you can save money on building materials, energy-efficient appliances, and your monthly utility bills!

A Note About Step Code Compliance: Depending on which city you’re building in, your new home is required to meet certain energy efficiency standards! Therefore, in addition to helping you reduce your environmental footprint and save money, green building practices are necessary to comply with the BC Energy Step Code.

For instance, in the City of North Vancouver, new single-family homes, coach houses, and smaller townhouses are required to meet Step 5 (i.e., net-zero energy ready) and Emissions Level 1 OR Step 4 and Emissions Level 3.

Now that you know what to look for in a contractor, let’s explore a step-by-step method for how to choose a home builder. 

But before we get into it, here are a few things you’ll need to consider before you start looking for contractors in Vancouver.

Before choosing a contractor, you should have a clear idea of certain aspects of your project, including:

• Budget
• Timeline
• Design style
• Desired features 

Some of these decisions can be discussed with your home builder and adjusted accordingly. However, it’s imperative that you establish your wants, needs, and limitations beforehand so you can share this information with potential home builders. These details will give them the information they need to determine if they can help and provide you with a more accurate proposal.

The steps below will help you find the perfect home builder for your upcoming project!

1. Do your research.

The first step when choosing a custom home builder is to conduct thorough research. Search online and ask family and friends (and even sub-trades or local suppliers) for recommendations. 

If you’re wondering “how to find builders in my area,” the easiest way is to start with a simple Google search. For example, type in “best home builders in North Vancouver” or “Vancouver custom home builder” and look at some of the top sites!

2. Create a list of potential home builders

Based on your research, make a list of builders who seem like a good fit for your custom home or renovation project.

3. Learn about each builder’s local experience.

It is crucial to hire a builder who has local home-building experience. Contractors with local experience are familiar with regulations and permit requirements, climate considerations, and local sustainable and green building practices. They also have local partnerships that can benefit your project.

Wondering how to find a custom home builder with extensive local experience? To determine a builder’s level of experience, take a look at their website. How many years have they been building homes in your area? How many projects have they completed? These details will give you a good idea of their experience level and ability to successfully complete your project.

*Consider eliminating any home builders on your list that don’t have at least 10 years of local experience.

4. Review their reputation.

Finding a builder with a good reputation is essential. But the real challenge is how to choose a home builder that’s reputable. 

In addition to asking around about the builder, one of the best ways to determine reputation is to look at reviews. Online reviews can tell you a great deal about a builder and what it’s like to work with them. Check out sites like Houzz for reviews of local home builders. 

*Consider eliminating the home builders on your list that don’t have numerous positive reviews from local homeowners.

5. Explore their custom home portfolio.

The next step in how to choose a builder for your home is to look at the portfolios of the Vancouver contractors on your list. 

Explore these portfolios to determine whether you like the style and design of the homes each contractor builds. By looking at a contractor’s portfolio, you can also determine whether they have experience building homes similar to your project.

*Don’t like the homes you see in a contractor’s portfolio? Eliminate them from your list.

6. Get a feel for the home builder’s communication skills.

Next, reach out to the remaining home builders on your list. 

Send an email with a few initial questions. When you receive a reply, note the home builder’s response, willingness to answer questions, and how quickly they respond! Doing so will help you determine whether their communication style meets your needs.

*If you don’t receive a timely response or clear, helpful answers, this indicates that the home builder isn’t the best communicator. Consider eliminating them from your list.

7. Look at one of their builds (and walk through it, if possible).

Visit a previous build completed by each contractor on your list. This will allow you to see their work in person and examine the details that are important to you. 

When visiting a previous build, you may even have the opportunity to chat with the homeowner and learn about their experience working with the contractor.

PRO TIP: Ask the construction company if you can visit a job site they’re currently working on. Visiting an active site will give you valuable insight into how the company works, the team’s on-site organization and cleanliness, etc.

Please Note: Showing up at a previous client’s home unannounced is not recommended. To arrange a viewing of the interior of a home, please contact the builder. For your safety and the safety of others, it is especially important to schedule your visit if you wish to see an active construction site.

8. The final step of how to choose a home builder – interview your top choices.

Based on the details you’ve gathered by completing the steps above, narrow your list of potential candidates to three or four builders. Then, contact these builders to schedule a meeting. Interviewing each builder will give you further insight into your compatibility and whether they can help you build your dream home.

Not sure what to ask a home builder during your initial meeting? Check out our list of recommended questions below.

Below is a list of questions to help you gain the insight needed to choose the right builder for your project.

This list contains questions that clients have asked us in the past (that we thought were great questions) and inquiries we believe are important to ask prospective builders.

• What experience do you have with building custom homes (or completing custom renovations)?
• Do you have any certifications or affiliations with industry organizations?
• What is your approach to project management?
• How do you handle subcontractors and site supervision?
• How do you approach changes or unexpected challenges during construction?
• How often will we be in touch during construction?
• Do you have examples of projects you’ve completed that are similar to mine?
• Can you provide references from past clients?
• Are you licensed and insured?
• What is your warranty policy?

Now that you know how to choose a home builder, let’s talk about some common mistakes people make when selecting a contractor – and tips for how to avoid them!

There are many great home builders in the Vancouver area, making it difficult to decide which is right for you. While you can be flexible with some qualities, others are essential. 

Here are some common mistakes you should avoid when choosing a custom home builder.

• Don’t underestimate the importance of compatibility. You will spend A LOT of time communicating with your home builder. Therefore, your compatibility with a builder, especially regarding communication style, shouldn’t be overlooked.
  
• Don’t choose a home builder with poor communication skills. Open, honest, timely, and clear communication is a must. That’s because poor communication can lead to endless issues during the building process.
  
• Don’t simply choose the builder with the lowest price. As with any service, choosing a contractor that quotes the lowest price is not usually the best decision. Instead, look for a mix of quality and value.
  
  Not sure how to find a home builder in your area who offers high-quality construction at a fair price? Again, a great place to look is online reviews. Past clients will provide insight into the quality of construction, which you can then compare with the quote the company has provided for your project.
  
  The best home builders in the Vancouver area will provide several pricing options during the material selection and sourcing phase. For example, contractors like Hasler Homes will provide three pricing options – each offering quality craftsmanship but varying levels of high-end materials and features.

• Don’t leave anything out during discussions. When discussing your new construction or home renovation project with prospective contractors, be upfront and honest about your budget and expectations. A contractor can provide better recommendations and offerings when they have all the information they need. Thus, honesty and transparency will help you choose the best home builder for you!

Hasler Homes is a top-rated custom home builder serving Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Squamish, Burnaby, and the surrounding areas. With over a decade of experience building and renovating homes, we are the choice contractor for local homeowners. Our team is reliable, personable, and dedicated to exceeding your expectations. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you build your dream home!

• When deciding which home builder to hire, look for a contractor with the following characteristics.
  
  • 10+ years of experience 
  • History of positive client relationships
  • Honest and transparent
  • Committed to high-quality construction
  • Associated with reputable building organizations
  • Offers design support
  • Provides insurance
  • Demonstrates strong communication skills
  • Organized
  • Effective project management skills
  • Client-centric
  • Experience building in the style of your project
  • Personally compatible with you, especially in terms of communication
  • BONUS: Knowledge of sustainable and green building practices
    
• Wondering how to find a good builder? To choose a home builder, follow these steps.
  

1. Conduct research online and ask friends, family, colleagues, and others in the industry for recommendations.
2. Based on your research, create a list of potential builders.
3. Determine the builder’s local experience.
4. Evaluate each builder’s reputation with the help of online reviews.
5. Explore their custom home portfolio to determine if you like their work.
6. Get a feel for the home builder’s communication skills by contacting them with some initial questions.
7. Schedule a time to view one of their home builds or renovations in person.
8. Interview your top 3-4 choices.
   

Have more questions about how to choose a home builder? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team! We’d be happy to help.