It's always a challenge to know who you should entrust with constructing your house unless you have personal knowledge or a relationship with a builder.    Many of my first houses were for family members - some might say that is risky, but if you ask my father-in-law, he will tell you that he would have no one else build anything for him....not even a dog house.  I'm not opposed to having someone else build the dog house, because that could be his next residence if my mother-in-law has anything to say about it. 

Talk to people who have actually worked with the builder, interacted with them on a daily basis.  The person who is the
hands on builder - available to answer the  homeowners' questions and address their concerns, having firsthand knowledge of the intricate details and scheduling of the construction....those are the builders you want to build your house.  

It goes back to the days of pride in workmanship...taking ownership of the work, with the knowledge that the builder cares about the type of home you and your family will live in for years to come.

So many times I have met with clients who have previously built a custom home and the house is beautiful, but the quality is lacking.  Their utility bills are as much or more than the house payment....the house did not withstand the test of time.

It is my opinion that custom means quality, energy conscious
construction, built with integrity.....the end result is a home to enjoy and share with friends and family....for  a lifetime.   I've built a 7500 sq ft house - 6000 under air conditioning and the electric bills during the summer have never been more than $ 225.00.  Solid construction, 2 x 6 walls allowing for extra insulation in the walls, 100% stone exterior, marble floors.    Custom should not just mean that you can pick out the carpet and paint.....you are relying on the expertise of a builder to guide you toward the right choices for the long term payoff.  

Alton West said:
Chuck built our house 7 years ago and the quality and attention to detail was no doubt attributed to his knowledge of the industry.  The utility bills for my 2200 square ft living space averages $ 100 per month. Chuck knew tricks of the trade that I never would have even thought of inquiring about. He is very  conscientious when considering costs for not only the building, but the maintenance of the house.  I highly recommend Chuck.