A new home, or a big remodeling project, is a big-ticket item. That's just today's reality.
So it's a bit surprising that, when making the big final choice of design and construction partners, many homeowners ask for references — but then don't actually contact them.
This puts you in a situation where it's unfortunately easy to just pick the lowest bids, or the most charming salesperson.
We think there's too much on the line: your hard-earned money, your home's quality, the level of stress the project could cause. The lowest bid will rarely get you the best quality, and a razzle-dazzle sales conversation definitely doesn't guarantee a smooth construction process.
So: Check. Those. References!
Why don't people do this?
- Some clients think they don't want to bother the references, but homeowners who had a great building experience are usually quite happy to share it with you.
- Some clients may be uncertain of how to get value from these reference checks, possibly thinking that the references provided won't give them "the straight story."
No worries — here's a little help.
Questions to ask a homebuilder's references
Two principles to remember:
- First, the most valuable insights come from asking specific questions about challenges rather than general satisfaction.
- Second, no project is absolutely perfect, but you absolutely can expect clear communication and transparent processes, even as challenges or unforeseen circumstances arise.
With that in mind, here are five goals of your reference-check calls, and specific questions to get the information you need, without feeling like you're putting the references on the spot.
1. Goal: Discover the real timeline story. Some homebuilding projects run over schedule, that's another reality. References can tell you whether delays were communicated early with solutions, or they found out about problems at the last minute.
Questions to ask:
- Did your project hit the originally proposed timeline?
- If not, why? Could the delays have been avoided?
- Did you get proactive communication about potential delays?
2. Goal: Get the financial reality check. References often share details about change orders that aren't mentioned in proposals. You'll discover if the builder nickel-and-dimed them with "unforeseen" costs that should have been anticipated, or if they weren't as transparent about costs as they could have been.
Questions to ask:
- Did the final project cost exceed the original bid?
- If so, why? Were there significant change orders? Did the original bid accurately reflect the final project?
3. Goal: Uncover communication patterns during stress. This is a big one. References can reveal how the builder handles problems when they arise. You'll learn whether they disappeared for days during a crisis, blamed subcontractors, or worked transparently to solve issues.
Questions to ask:
- What was the most stressful aspect of the project?
- Did the designer and builder's communication reduce stress, or contribute to it?
- Did you feel well-informed at all stages of the process?
4. Learn about the crew and subcontractor quality. A builder's in-house team and regular subcontractors make or break your experience. References can tell you if the same skilled carpenters showed up consistently, or if they dealt with rotating crews of varying quality.
Questions to ask:
- Did you interact directly with the building team and subcontractors?
- Were you happy with the consistency of their work and communication?
5. Understand the post-completion relationship. The designers' and builder's responsiveness after final payment reveals their true character. References can share whether warranty items were addressed promptly, if the builder returned calls about settling issues, or if they vanished once the check cleared.
Questions to ask:
- After construction finished, were there any leftover issues to address in wrapping it up?
- Were those things addressed promptly and fairly?
- If you could change one thing about the way your building team worked, what would it be?
- Would you use this team again for another project?
Asking specific questions along these lines will help you understand potential design and construction partners better, and zero in on the one that will fit best with your own expectations.
Start your search with GMT – let's talk! Reach out to us at info@gmthomedesigns.com.