The Best Custom Home Builders in Richmond, Virginia

DO CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA HAVE TO BE LICENSED?

Yes. All Custom Home Builders who build homes in Virginia must be licensed with the Virginia Board for Contractors. Custom Home Builders typically operate under contractor licenses, which consist of two parts: the class of license and the classification or specialty of license, which determines the scope and type of work for which they are allowed to perform.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FIND A GOOD CUSTOM HOME BUILDER IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

The best way to find a Custom Home Builder in Richmond, Virginia is to ask friends who have recently worked with a Custom Home Builder on their own custom home for recommendations. Once you have a list of Custom Home Builders, conduct interviews with each candidate and ask to confirm their availability, as some Custom Home Builders may be booked out for many months. Verify the license status of each candidate and check for any past disciplinary actions — the Virginia Board for Contractors recommends consumers deal only with licensed contractors. Finally, ensure the Custom Home Builder you choose has a strong portfolio of completed work that matches your desired home style. Try to get at least three written estimates and request explanations for any questions you may have before entering into a formal agreement.

WHAT BUILD OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN WORKING WITH A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA?

Typically, those working with a Custom Home Builder can choose from three different build options: Buying a spec home (a completed new home that may need light finishes before moving in); building a model home or semi-custom home (based on a pre-determined design that the Custom Home Builder already has in place); or building a custom home from scratch, which is usually more expensive and requires a longer timeline for design, permitting, and construction but offers the most options for customization.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER AND A DESIGN BUILD FIRM?

A Design Build Firm is a type of Custom Home Builder who manages the disparate parts of the project — specifically the upfront design and then the subsequent construction or build — under one agreement and one firm. While many Custom Home Builders offer Design Build services, some may only offer construction services or general contracting services, which means a separate design professional — such as a Residential Architect or Interior Designer — may be required to complete other phases of the project.