Should I Work With a Local or National Builder for My New Home?

It’s important to do your research before choosing a home builder. As you’re compiling information on options, you may wonder whether to go with a local builder or a national company. As a local builder, we admit that we’re biased. But, our experience as a home builder also gives us some insight. Here are 5 reasons we firmly believe local builders are your best option (even if you don’t choose us):

Institutional knowledge

As they say, location, location, location. As home builders in Lincoln County, Missouri, we know this area. Every community has its own laws, regulations, zoning, taxes, etc. National building companies will have to spend more time getting up to speed (time for which they will almost certainly bill you). Local builders will not only know your community’s ordinances and regulations, they’ll know the history behind controversial rezones (every area has at least one), neighborly disputes, and more. They’ll also understand what building materials are in the best supply for your area, and what styles work well with the local landscape.

Accountability

While there are many reputable national companies with pristine integrity, there are also those that can get away with shoddy work because once they’re done, they can pick up and leave. But local builders live and work in the communities where they build. Personal references and word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful tools to recruit and retain business, and all it takes is one sloppy job to ruin your reputation.

Community investment

Speaking for ourselves, we care about the long-term health of the communities in which we build — and not just from a business standpoint. We don’t pick up and leave once the home is built; we’re here. These are our homes, too. We want to see them succeed, and that means we want to see you succeed — and that includes your new home.

Customer service

National builders still care about their customers, but they may not provide the same level of access as a local builder. With local builders like CMS, you’re not going to get put on hold and re-routed dozens of times when you have questions. And you will probably be able to customize your order more easily, and make changes throughout the project as you like (though we recommend minimizing your change orders, to cut down on excess cost and time delays). AFter all, you are far less likely to hear a middle-man tell you, “I’m not allowed to do that” if you’re dealing with the owner of your locally owned company.)

Future help

Even if everything in your home build goes swimmingly, there may come a time down the road that you need to make changes or modifications. Utilizing a local builder means you’ll have easy access to them when that future arrives (provided, of course, that you had a positive experience the first go-round). That continuity in contractors can make future renovations or upgrades much more efficient, saving you big on time and money.

No matter which route you choose, be sure to thoroughly vet your home builder. Start with asking these questions, recommended by the National Association of Home Builders.

Still have questions? We’d love to talk to you. Contact us at 636-462-3500 or here.