Preston Homes of Texas

A Lake Travis Builder, Highland Lakes Builder & Hill Country Builder

Questions to Ask Your Custom Home Builder

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custom home builder Preston Homes of Texas

Preston Homes of Texas is the premiere custom home builder in Hill Country, Texas. We have nearly 20 years of experience in providing the central Texas area with custom homes of superior quality. 

The decision to build the home of your dreams is one of the most significant choices you will ever make. In addition to making that decision, you also have to select a custom home builder that can make the home of your dreams a reality. At Preston Homes of Texas we understand that these decisions can be a bit overwhelming. We want to guide you through the process of custom home construction in order to help take some of the stress and intimidation out of building your dream home.

Beginning the Process

The first step in constructing the home of your dreams is to assemble a list of potential contractors. There are many ways to go about finding local custom home builders. An internet search is always a good place to start, and checking with your local Better Business Bureau is a great idea. Additionally, check with real estate agents in your area. Ask family and friends if they have had good experiences with a custom home builder, or if they know someone who recently has moved into a custom home they love.

Once you compile a list of potential builders, it is time to begin asking questions. Because building a custom home is such a momentous occasion, you want to be absolutely positive that you are hiring the perfect custom home builder for you. You will be working closely with your builder until your home is complete, so you want to be able to trust your builder implicitly to execute the plans you have for your dream home.

Questions to ask Your Custom Home Builder

Since finding the right custom home builder is so important, you will want to ask plenty of questions. The following list of questions is a comprehensive list of questions that you should be sure to ask any potential custom home builders:

  • How long have they been in business?
  • Will they provide you with references of recent buyers or homeowners?
  • What are available options and how customized can the house be (if using a floor plan from the builder)?
  • Are you able to up or down-grade appliances?
  • What, if any, are the additional fees relating to the home or the specific development chosen?
  • Do they offer a warranty? If so, what is the duration of the warranty?
  • What are the estimated property taxes?
  • Is there an established change order policy?
  • How often do the projects go over budget? What is the average overage amount?
  • Do they offer a written expected timeline for the project?
  • Is there communication during the project? Who would the builder have you contact if there were questions and concerns during construction?
  • What is the protocol if construction is not finished on the agreed upon closing date?
  • Are there any major development plans for the area within the next 5 years?
  • How is the school district rated?
  • Are there conveniently located doctors, day care, dentists, grocery stores, etc…?
  • Are there emergency services in the area?

The Custom Home Builder you can Trust

Since 1997,  Preston Homes of Texas has been in the business of turning dreams into realities. As the National Association of Home Builders notes, “When you’re thinking about buying a new home, selecting the right builder is a key step in creating the home of your dreams. You should feel comfortable asking a potential home builder every question that you think is important.” We want to make you feel as comfortable and excited about building your dream home as possible.

Preston Homes of Texas is an award-winning custom home builder. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are a third generation family business. Our impeccable homes and superior customer service make us the custom home builder that you deserve. We would love to meet with you to answer any and all questions you may have about the process of building a custom home. Contact us today to find out how you can stop dreaming about your ideal home, and how you can start living in it.

Lake Travis Custom Home Builders: How to Select the Best

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Choosing Lake Travis Custom Home Builders

Lake Travis Custom home builders are responsible for turning your dream home into reality. Choosing the best custom home builders ensures professional, high quality results.

How to Begin Your Search for Lake Travis Custom Home Builders

The search for custom home builders is a critical one as this decision impacts all stages of the custom home building process and, perhaps most importantly to you, the finished product. Before you start interviewing custom home builders or the clients for whom they have previously built homes, it is important that you are aware of your options. The Texas Association of Builders recommends you make a list of all the potential builders in your area. Additionally, you can visit the National Association of Home Builders website and conduct a search for custom home builders in your area. Because this is such a significant and important decision, do not stop at the web search. Contact friends, family and local real estate agents for their custom home builder recommendations.

Conduct Research on Custom Home Builders

Once you have a list of potential builders, do thorough background research. Begin by asking your prospective builder for a resume of current or recently completed projects. Also ask potential builders if they will provide you with a list of customer references. When contacting previous clients keep the following list of questions in mind:

  • What was the original budget and did your builders help you stay on budget?
  • Were financial transactions handled transparently?
  • Was the project completed on time?
  • Were you made aware of any required schedule changes?
  • Was the project organized?
  • How did the builder respond to stressful situations?
  • Was the communication channel clear and were you able to contact your builder when you needed to?
  • If you were to build another custom home, would you work with this builder and the subcontractors again?

These questions help give you a general idea of what the entire custom home building process would be like with your chosen builder. If you are able to receive a tour of a home built by the custom home builder you are considering, be sure to inspect the quality of building materials such as the paint used, cabinetry, trimwork and flooring.

In addition to contacting former customers, check into the builder’s standing with any local building associations. Check with the Better Business Bureau of Central Texas to see what the builder’s rating is.  You may also want to check with state licensing agencies and see if your custom home builder has held any licenses in other states in the previous 5 to 10 years. If so, be sure to do follow-up research on your builder’s standing in their former state.

 You also want to be aware of any insurance your builder carries so that you are positive that you, and they, are covered during your home building process.

 Look at Previous Work by Your Custom Home Builders

As briefly mentioned above, it can be incredibly useful to tour homes that were constructed by your custom home builder. Some custom builders will arrange to set up appointments for prospective clients to tour homes they have built for former clients. If this is not an option, many custom builders also offer tours of furnished or decorated models of homes they have built. When you take the tour, be sure to look at the quality of craftsmanship in the building materials, the overall home construction and the design. Pay attention to how you feel during a tour; it is a good sign if you can imagine you and your family living in that space.

 The home that you have been dreaming of is possible with the right builder. Let Preston Homes of Texas be that builder. We work closely with clients and limit the number of homes we build each year to ensure you receive the highest quality possible.

Why Work With Preston Homes of Texas

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Exemplary schools, increasing Austin real estate values, luxury retirement living in Lake Travis and incredibly diverse and educated communities are some of the main reasons Austin and the surrounding cities are a prime location for families and retirees. Preston Homes of Texas provides:

  • Personalized Attention – Experience a 1×1 relationship with Preston Homes of Texas.
  • Work Within Your Budget – We build to fit your price. Choose from our numerous floorplans to match your budget.
  • Build on Your Lot – We build in a 50 mile radius of our Showroom in North Lake Travis.
  • Large Floorplan Selection – Review many of our stock floorplans or visit with our custom architect. We can also customize any floorplan to suite your needs or take your own ideas and make them a reality.
  • Design Consulting – We provide complete custom home building plans and interior design.
  • Hire Contractors that Specialize in Their Field – We do a thorough background check on all of our sub-contractors. All sub-contractors must have a minimum of ten years of experience to qualify under our bidding process.
  • Project Management – Onsite supervision and management of your home building project before, during, and after completion.
  • Stay on Budget – We work directly with subcontractors to manage bids, ensure quality and make sure we’re on budget.
  • Higher Specifications – Building codes are often considered the highest standard. Preston Homes of Texas considers these codes the minimum and offers construction beyond national and international building codes and guidelines.
  • Limit the Number of Projects Yearly – By limiting the number of homes we construct each year, we are able to maintain the quality in workmanship and one-on-one attention with the homeowner.

Our Philosophy

As an award-winning Lake Travis custom home builder, our philosophy is to provide every homeowner in the Texas Hill Country and the Austin area with personalized attention and to deliver quality craftsmanship in every home we build.

About Us

Award-Winning Custom Homes

3rd Generation Builder

2014 HCBA President

Read more about us

Contact Us

(512) 267-7900

North Lake Travis
18580 E. FM 1431
North Lake Travis, Texas 78645