There are a number of ways home buyers can find their custom home builders. They can search the Yellow Pages (Do people still use the modern construction yellow pages? I don't and haven't for at least the last 15 years), observe what is going on around their neighborhood, and write down details of builders who may be building in their suburb, speak with friends or family about their experience or do what a lot of people try to do, search the internet for them.
The difficulty then becomes more acute - you've now discovered a few custom builders you'd like to qualify for. However, in most cases, you've got to walk through unfinished homes as they're the only ones the builder can make accessible to you. On a rare occasion, you may be able to go through a home that was recently completed with the owner's permission. BINGO! That's great! Because if that client wasn't happy with their home, there's no way they'd be doing the builder a favor and letting you walk through their home.
However, in most cases, a lot of working with a custom home builder comes down to trust because it's just so difficult to get real evidence or proof that they can do what they are saying they can do. This is where you may want to utilize the services of a Building Broker who has already done the qualifying for you. More than likely, they will keep updated via the Builders Registration Board and Building Disputes Tribunal on actions against home builders, and over years acquire the knowledge of which builders are best avoided. This will save you a lot of stress when you come to build your individually designed house because that task is big enough on its own without the added headache of a builder who can't perform.
