Few decisions are as important as buying a new home. This is why you should exercise the utmost caution when choosing a home builder. Of course, you’ll want to choose a trustworthy builder with an established reputation, and the know how to construct a quality home. Your home is a big investment, both financially and emotionally, so you want to make sure to hire someone that will do the job right.

Don’t know how to find the most trustworthy builder? Follow the few tips listed below to make sure you know you are getting the best builder possible when making this life altering decision.

First, you will want to make sure that the builder you choose has a solid reputation and excellent references. Choosing a home builder is a huge decision, so randomly picking someone from the phone book is not an option. After all, just because a builder is licensed and bonded does not mean the quality of their work can be trusted. Instead, look to family, friends, or coworkers for a reference. If you can’t get a personal reference, go with a builder that has a good reputation in your community.

Once you’ve identified one or more possible home builders, prepare a short list of questions to ask when you call. Some things can be researched online, depending on the size of the company. Things you’ll want to know are how long the company’s been in business, what type of industry experience it possesses, and whether the company is a full-time professional constructor or only a part-time builder. Finally, make sure to check that the company meets all licensing and bonding requirements in your area, and check with the local branch of the Better Business Bureau to find out of there are any complaints against the builder by former clients.

When you narrow down your list the next thing you are going to want to know is if they are capable of building the house you have in mind. Ask the remaining builder(s) what type of custom homes they specialize in. Also ask how much time they spend on residential building. This will ensure that the builder you choose knows how to build the house you envision.

Lastly, you’ll want to know what type of warranty or post-sale services are provided by the builder. While you might imagine that you won’t experience problems with your new home that necessitate the use of a warranty, sadly this isn’t always the case. Things can and do go wrong with new homes. Of course, choosing a builder carefully will minimize the risk of problems, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Remember that a builder that offers an excellent warranty and after-sale service is a builder that is confident in the quality of its work. This is just another indicator of the quality of the builder you choose.

While it may take some time to find the right builder it will be worth the time spent. Not doing research on the builder you choose can lead to some serious problems and cost you hundreds even thousands to fix what has been done.