Choosing among custom home builders is a major decision. Your builder affects your budget, timeline, workmanship, and daily experience. Before signing a contract, speak with past clients.
Online reviews are useful, but personal conversations can reveal much more. Ask former clients how the builder communicated. Ask how changes were handled. Most importantly, ask what happened when something went wrong.
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board specifically recommends checking references before hiring a contractor. It also recommends checking licensing, getting written contracts, and comparing bids. (Oregon)
That advice matters even more for a custom home. A custom build involves hundreds of decisions. It also involves many moving parts and people.
A builder may look impressive during an initial meeting. The real test comes later. You want to know how that builder performs under pressure.
For homeowners in Lake Oswego, choosing experienced custom home builders can make the process more predictable. Gerritz Custom Homes has built custom homes in the Pacific Northwest since 1979. The company emphasizes quality, communication, and client experience. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
Why References Matter When Choosing Builders
Reviews Only Tell Part of the Story
A five-star review can be encouraging. However, it may not answer your most important questions.
A reference can provide details about the actual building experience.
Ask former clients:
- Did the builder return calls promptly?
- Were project updates consistent?
- Were costs explained clearly?
- Were changes documented?
- Did problems receive prompt attention?
- Was the finished home delivered as expected?
These questions reveal the builder’s working style.
A custom home is a long relationship. You may communicate with your builder for many months. Sometimes, you may work together for more than a year.
Communication matters because construction rarely goes perfectly.
Materials can arrive late. Weather can affect schedules. Design choices can change. Unexpected site conditions can appear.
The right builder does not need to promise perfection. The builder should demonstrate a reliable process for solving problems.
Ask About Problems, Not Just Successes
This may be the most important reference question.
Ask:
“What went wrong during your project, and how did the builder respond?”
A former client who says nothing ever went wrong may not provide much useful information.
Instead, listen for specific examples.
Perhaps a material arrived damaged. Maybe a design detail needed to change. Perhaps a subcontractor caused a scheduling issue.
The response matters more than the existence of the problem.
Did the builder communicate?
Did the builder take ownership?
Did the builder offer reasonable solutions?
Did the issue eventually get resolved?
These answers help you understand what working with the builder is really like.
Look for Patterns Across Multiple References
One reference gives you one perspective.
Three or four references provide a broader picture.
Look for repeated themes involving:
- Communication
- Craftsmanship
- Reliability
- Problem solving
- Budget management
- Schedule management
- Post-completion support
You are not looking for perfection.
You are looking for consistency.
If several homeowners independently describe the same strengths, that information becomes more meaningful.
Questions to Ask Past Custom Home Clients
Ask About Communication
Communication can make or break a custom building experience.
Ask past clients how frequently they received updates. Ask whether they could easily reach the builder.
For example, ask:
- “How often did you hear from the builder?”
- “Did you receive progress updates?”
- “Were questions answered quickly?”
- “Did you understand what was happening next?”
- “Were delays explained honestly?”
Communication should be more than occasional phone calls.
You should understand upcoming decisions and important milestones.
Gerritz Custom Homes emphasizes clear and open communication throughout the building process. The company’s website describes its approach as guiding clients through each stage. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
That philosophy also appears in client feedback.
One Gerritz client described receiving phone calls, emails, and construction photos while living thousands of miles away. That communication helped the clients understand their home’s progress remotely. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
Ask How Problems Were Handled
This question deserves special attention.
Ask the reference to describe an actual problem.
Then ask what happened next.
For example:
“When you discovered a problem, what did the builder do?”
You want specific answers.
A strong response might include:
- The builder responded quickly.
- The builder explained the options.
- The builder accepted responsibility when appropriate.
- The builder provided a solution.
- The builder followed up afterward.
Gerritz’s published client references provide several examples of this approach. One client said issues during and after construction received prompt attention and satisfactory resolution. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
Another client described a kitchen feature that looked wrong after framing. The builder worked with the homeowners to modify the feature.
That is valuable reference information.
It shows how a builder responds when the finished result differs from expectations. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
Ask About Budget Changes
Budget questions can reveal a lot.
Ask whether the final cost matched expectations.
Then ask about changes and allowances.
Useful questions include:
- “Were change orders clearly explained?”
- “Did you receive cost alternatives?”
- “Were unexpected costs handled fairly?”
- “Did the builder help control costs?”
- “Did you understand what was included?”
One Gerritz client specifically praised the builder for providing cost alternatives during construction. Those options helped the homeowners balance costs with desired improvements. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
That type of communication can be valuable during a custom build.
What Lake Oswego Homeowners Should Look For
Local Experience Can Make a Difference
Building in Lake Oswego involves more than choosing attractive finishes.
Local knowledge can influence the entire project.
Your builder needs to understand the area’s homes, neighborhoods, lots, and development environment.
Site conditions can vary considerably.
A sloped lot may require different planning than a flat parcel. Existing trees may affect site design. Access can influence construction logistics.
Local experience can help identify potential challenges earlier.
Gerritz Custom Homes describes itself as a local, family-run Pacific Northwest company. Its team says it builds in its own backyard and has extensive local experience. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
Ask About the Building Process
Do not only ask about the finished house.
Ask how the builder manages construction.
Questions might include:
- Who manages subcontractors?
- Who visits the job site?
- How are selections tracked?
- How are changes approved?
- How are schedules communicated?
- Who handles questions during construction?
These details affect your experience.
Gerritz client references describe frequent job-site oversight and proactive communication about upcoming construction phases. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
One homeowner also praised the builder’s coordination with material deliveries and subcontractor schedules.
That kind of operational detail can matter just as much as beautiful finished photos.
Verify Licensing and Written Contracts
References should not be your only screening tool.
Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board recommends checking whether a contractor is licensed. It also recommends obtaining a written contract and checking contractor history. (Oregon)
For residential construction, Oregon requires written contracts under applicable circumstances. The CCB recommends documenting the scope, price, payment terms, materials, and other important details. (Oregon)
Before hiring any builder, verify:
- Current Oregon licensing
- Contract terms
- Scope of work
- Payment schedule
- Material allowances
- Start and completion expectations
- Change-order procedures
- Warranty information
A reference tells you about someone’s experience.
A contract tells you what the parties agreed to.
You need both.
How to Compare Custom Home Builders
Do Not Automatically Choose the Lowest Bid
Price matters.
However, the lowest bid may not represent the lowest overall cost.
A builder’s estimate should be evaluated alongside experience, communication, materials, craftsmanship, and reliability.
The Oregon CCB specifically cautions consumers against automatically accepting the lowest bid. Comparing multiple bids can help homeowners understand project costs. (Oregon)
Ask each builder:
“What exactly is included in this price?”
Then compare the answers.
A lower estimate may include fewer allowances or different materials.
A higher estimate may include more comprehensive services.
The goal is not simply to find the cheapest builder.
The goal is to find the builder offering the best overall value.
Compare References Using the Same Questions
Create a simple reference scorecard.
Ask every reference the same questions.
For example:
| Question | Builder A | Builder B | Builder C |
| Communication | |||
| Problem solving | |||
| Budget management | |||
| Schedule management | |||
| Workmanship | |||
| Post-build support |
This makes comparisons easier.
It also prevents one impressive conversation from dominating your decision.
Consistency is one of the strongest signals you can find.
Visit Completed Projects When Possible
Photos can show craftsmanship.
A completed home can show much more.
If possible, ask whether you can see a finished project.
Look at:
- Exterior details
- Trim work
- Flooring
- Cabinet installation
- Doors and hardware
- Landscaping integration
- Overall finish quality
You may also notice how the home has aged.
That can be particularly valuable.
A newly completed home can look beautiful. A home that has been occupied for several years can reveal long-term workmanship.
Gerritz Custom Homes showcases completed builds and describes its focus on durable, high-quality construction. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
FAQs About Choosing Custom Home Builders
How many references should I check?
Three to five references provide a useful starting point.
Try to speak with different types of clients.
Consider recent projects and older projects.
You may also want references from projects similar to yours.
A luxury home reference can be especially useful for a luxury custom build.
What should I ask a custom home builder’s references?
Ask about communication, craftsmanship, scheduling, costs, and problem solving.
Most importantly, ask what happened when something went wrong.
You want specific examples rather than general praise.
Should I check a builder’s license in Oregon?
Yes.
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board recommends checking a contractor’s license and history before hiring. (Oregon)
Licensing verification should be part of your basic due diligence.
Is the lowest custom home bid the best choice?
Not necessarily.
The lowest bid may have different materials, allowances, or assumptions.
Compare the full scope of each proposal.
Consider experience, communication, workmanship, and reliability alongside price.
What is the biggest red flag when checking references?
Repeated complaints about communication are a major warning sign.
Construction involves questions, decisions, changes, and unexpected events.
A builder who communicates poorly can create unnecessary stress.
Also pay attention to vague answers about unresolved problems.
Should I ask about problems after the home was completed?
Absolutely.
Ask whether the builder remained responsive after completion.
This can reveal the builder’s commitment to the client relationship.
A builder’s post-completion support can matter when questions arise later.
Final Thoughts: References Reveal the Real Builder
Choosing among custom home builders requires more than looking at beautiful homes.
You need to understand how a builder works.
Talk with former clients.
Ask about communication.
Ask about costs.
Ask about schedules.
Then ask the most revealing question:
“What happened when something went wrong?”
The answer can tell you more than a portfolio ever could.
For Lake Oswego homeowners, local experience adds another valuable layer. You want a team that understands Pacific Northwest construction and the communities where it builds.
Gerritz Custom Homes has been building custom homes since 1979. The company describes itself as family-owned and focused on quality, communication, and long-term client relationships. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
Its published client experiences also emphasize responsiveness, attention to detail, scheduling, and problem solving. (Gerritz Custom Homes)
If you are planning a custom home in Lake Oswego, do your research before choosing your builder.
Start the conversation with Gerritz Custom Homes and discuss your vision, property, and building goals.
A great custom home starts with the right team.
