The Building Edit Journal — Custom Home Buyer Resources

Three Builders, Same Plan, Three Different Numbers: What You're Actually Comparing

Three builders. Same plan. Three completely different numbers. Here's why those bids aren't comparing the same thing and what to actually look at before you choose.

What Happens to Your Custom Home If Your Builder Goes Bankrupt

When a builder files for bankruptcy, subcontractors stop working, your build freezes, and your deposit joins a line of creditors. Two contract terms negotiated before signing change that outcome entirely.

What Builder Allowances Actually Cover (It's Not What You Think)

A builder allowance is a placeholder, not a promise. The number in your contract reflects what the builder expects to spend, not what you expect to build. Those two numbers are rarely the same.

Change Orders Aren't Just for Buyers Who Change Their Minds

Change orders don't happen because buyers are indecisive. They happen because building a custom home involves hundreds of variables — and reality rarely matches a set of plans exactly.

The Builder Reference List Is Not What You Think It Is

There is one question that changes everything: Can you give me the names of your three most recent completed projects? Not your best. Not clients who are comfortable talking. The three most recent, in order.