Building a custom home is one of the most significant investments you’ll make in your lifetime. The builder you choose will be your partner for 1-2 years, guiding you through a complex process that requires trust, clear communication, and absolute transparency. The questions you ask during the selection process—and more importantly, the answers you receive—will reveal everything you need to know about a builder’s values, processes, and commitment to your project’s success.

1. How Transparent Is Your Pricing and Budgeting Process?

What to Look For: Complete, unfiltered transparency from day one.

True transparency means more than just sharing a final number. It means opening the books completely. At Stonewood, we practice open-book, cost-plus budgeting, which means our clients see every bid, every invoice, and every financial decision throughout the entire process. There are no mysteries, no hidden markups, and no surprises.

Our fee structure is straightforward: we charge a percentage of the project cost. Since we don’t employ any of the trades directly, this fee represents exactly what we’re charging for our expertise, project management, and guidance. You’ll know precisely what you’re paying for our services versus what’s going to the actual construction of your home.

Why This Matters: In an industry where cost overruns and surprise charges are common, true transparency protects both you and your builder. When you can see every number, you can make informed decisions about where to invest your budget and where to save. You’re never left wondering if you’re getting a fair deal because you can see exactly where every dollar goes.

2. When Will I Know the Actual Budget for My Home?

One of the most frustrating experiences in custom home building is discovering your dream home costs significantly more than anticipated—after you’ve already started construction. This typically happens when builders use “allowances” for unselected items, essentially placeholders that rarely match reality.

At Stonewood, we take a different approach. We strive to have every material selection complete and included in the budget before we break ground. This means:

• All finishes are selected and priced
• All fixtures are chosen and budgeted
• Custom elements are fully designed and bid
• Site work is thoroughly evaluated and estimated

This comprehensive approach means you’ll know your true investment before construction begins. While changes can always be made during construction, you’re starting from a place of complete knowledge rather than hopeful estimates.

The Process Difference: Our pre-construction phase is thorough and deliberate. We invest significant time upfront to ensure every detail is considered, every selection is made, and every cost is captured. This might mean a longer planning phase, but it eliminates the stress and financial uncertainty that comes with incomplete budgets.

3. When Do I Sign the Construction Contract?

What to Look For: A builder who earns your business before asking for a commitment.

The timing of contract signing reveals everything about a builder’s confidence and client focus. At Stonewood, we execute a construction contract only after:

• All design work is complete
• Budgets are comprehensive and finalized
• Material selections are made
• Permits are ready to be pulled
• You’re completely comfortable with every aspect of your project

Until that point, we work to earn your business. This means we invest our time and expertise in developing your project without holding you hostage to a contract. We believe that if we’re doing our job well, you’ll want to work with us—we shouldn’t need to lock you in before you’re ready.

Why This Approach Works: When you sign a contract with complete information, you’re making an informed decision. You know exactly what you’re building, what it will cost, and when it will be complete. There’s no leap of faith required—just a clear agreement between parties who understand the full scope of the project.

4. How Do You Handle the Design Process?

What to Look For: Flexibility, expertise, and a focus on finding the perfect fit.

Great design is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating a home that perfectly reflects your lifestyle, preferences, and dreams. While Stonewood has talented in-house interior designers and architects, we recognize that the best design solution isn’t always the most convenient one.

Our approach is to help you select the best team for your specific project. This might mean:

• Using our in-house design professionals who know our processes intimately
• Partnering with an outside architect who specializes in your preferred style
• Collaborating with a designer you’ve already selected
• Creating a hybrid team that combines internal and external talent

The Matchmaking Process: Just like selecting the right builder, choosing the right design team is critical for success. We consider:

• Architectural aesthetic alignment
• Personality compatibility
• Communication styles
• Budget and timeline expectations
• Previous work and references

Remember, you’ll be working with your building and design team for 1-2 years. Trust, confidence, and genuinely enjoying the process together make all the difference between a stressful experience and an exciting journey.

5. Who Will Be My Point of Contact During Construction?

What to Look For: Direct access to knowledgeable decision-makers.

Communication can make or break a construction project. At Stonewood, we’ve eliminated the traditional hierarchy that often frustrates homeowners. Instead of job site superintendents who must check with supervisors who must check with project managers, we provide you with a dedicated project manager—essentially a builder—who manages every aspect of your project.

This single point of contact:

• Knows your complete budget inside and out
• Understands your schedule and can make real-time adjustments
• Communicates directly with all trade partners
• Has the authority to make decisions and solve problems
• Can answer any question without checking with someone else

The Communication Advantage: When you have a question at 7 PM, you don’t want to leave a message that gets passed through three people before maybe getting an answer two days later. Our project managers are accessible, responsive, and fully informed. They’re not just relaying information—they’re actively managing your project and making informed decisions.

What This Means Daily: Your project manager will:

• Provide regular updates on progress and schedule
• Proactively communicate about any challenges or changes
• Be available for site meetings and walk-throughs
• Coordinate directly with you on any decisions needed
• Ensure all trade partners are aligned with your expectations

6. How Do You Handle Competitive Bidding?

What to Look For: A fair, transparent bidding process that ensures value.

Since Stonewood doesn’t employ any trades directly, we can offer truly competitive bidding for every aspect of your project. This means:

• Multiple bids for each trade and material supplier
• Complete transparency in the bid process
• Your involvement in selecting trade partners
• No hidden markups or preferred vendor kickbacks
• The ability to see exactly what you’re paying for each component

The Bidding Process: We typically secure 2-3 bids for each trade, evaluating them based on:

• Price competitiveness
• Quality of work and reputation
• Schedule availability
• Previous project success
• Warranty and service standards

You’ll see all bids and participate in the selection process. This isn’t just about finding the lowest price—it’s about finding the best value and the right partners for your project.

7. How Do You Handle Changes During Construction?

What to Look For: A clear, fair process for the inevitable adjustments.

Even with the most thorough planning, changes happen during construction. Whether it’s an upgrade opportunity, an unforeseen condition, or simply a change of heart, how your builder handles changes reveals their true character.

At Stonewood, our change order process is:

• Transparent in pricing (same markup as original contract)
• Quick in response time
• Clear in documentation
• Fair in execution

Because you’ve seen all our original pricing, you’ll understand exactly how change orders are priced. There are no surprise markups or penalty fees—just the same transparent approach applied to new work.