4 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your First Builder | Cruz Built
Hiring a builder for your first custom home, remodel, or renovation can feel intimidating. You’re trusting someone with your home, your investment, and a process you may never have been through before.
Before you commit to anything, there are a few conversations worth having. These four questions can help you understand who you’re hiring, who will be working in your home, and how your project will be priced.
1. Can I see your license, insurance, and references?
Ask your builder to provide their license information, proof of insurance, and references from past clients. You’ll also want to confirm that their license is appropriate for the work you’re planning.
References give you a chance to hear about the experience beyond the finished photos. What was communication like? How were questions or unexpected issues handled? Would that homeowner work with the builder again?
At Cruz Built, we’re happy to provide this information and help you feel comfortable asking questions before moving forward.
2. Are your subcontractors insured?
Your builder’s insurance is one part of the conversation. Ask whether the subcontractors working on your project carry their own insurance and how the builder verifies that coverage.
At Cruz Built, we require every subcontractor to carry their own policy. It’s a question we welcome, and one worth asking any builder you’re considering.
3. How do you select your subcontractors?
The people your builder brings onto the project will be coming in and out of your home. You should feel comfortable with how those people are chosen.
Ask how the builder evaluates their trade partners, what experience they have working together, and what standards they expect on the job.
At Cruz Built, we vet our subcontractors. We don’t work with people we wouldn’t trust working in our own homes. That trust matters to us, and we know it matters to you.
4. Do you use cost-plus, fixed-price, or fixed-fee pricing?
Before hiring a builder, ask them to explain their pricing model in plain language. You should understand what’s included, how the builder is paid, and how changes or additional work will be handled.
At Cruz Built, we use a fixed-price model. We believe it’s the right approach for our clients, and we want you to understand the scope and price before moving forward.
Whatever model a builder uses, make sure you’re comfortable with the explanation and have room to ask follow-up questions.
Start with a conversation
You don’t need to know everything about construction before hiring a builder. You should feel comfortable asking questions and getting clear answers.
If you’re planning a custom home, remodel, or renovation in Greensboro, NC, reach out to Cruz Built. We’d love to learn more about your project and see how we can help. We love being a resource to our community.