Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Custom Builder

What happens if something needs to change mid-build?

Now you might be thinking this is not something that would happen to you because you have it all thought out and planned, but in reality you might change your mind. It could be you’d like different flooring or sometimes it may not even be something you want changed, but if that cabinet finish gets discontinued, the plan has to change. Or maybe something unexpected comes up during framing. These things happen on nearly every build.

You need a builder who communicates clearly about changes and doesn’t move forward without talking to you first. Find out how they handle approvals and if you’ll be updated before anything affects your budget or timeline. That kind of honesty is what we prioritize at Nortex.

How do you handle pricing and updates?

Everyone wants to stick to the budget, but that can be difficult if you don’t know what’s going on. Ask to see a sample estimate. A good builder will give you a line-by-line breakdown that includes finishes, upgrades, and any allowances for custom features. You want to know what you’re paying for and what might cost extra later on. At Nortex, we keep things open and upfront. If anything changes, you’re informed right away. That’s how we do it, and it’s helped a lot of homeowners avoid unnecessary stress.

The last thing to keep in mind is that even if someone checks all the boxes, pay attention to how they talk to you. Are they clear? Do they follow up? Are they answering your questions or just saying what you want to hear? The little things early on usually tell you a lot about how things will go once the build starts.

Finding the right builder isn’t just about who’s available. It’s about trust, communication, and feeling like your project matters to them. That’s what we aim for every time at Nortex. If you’re building in North Texas, we’d be happy to talk through your ideas and see if we’re the right fit.