Has anyone ever tried reaching out to architects or subs who worked with the builder, not just past clients? Curious if that gives a fuller picture or just muddies the waters.
Honestly, I’m a bit skeptical about going too far beyond client references. Subs and architects have their own interests—sometimes they’re more concerned with getting paid or keeping a good relationship than being totally candid. I’ve found that talking to past clients who had issues tells you a lot, but once you start pulling in too many perspectives, it can get confusing fast. At some point, you just have to trust your gut and the facts you’ve gathered.
ARE BUILDER REFERENCES REALLY THAT HELPFUL OR JUST FLUFF?
At some point, you just have to trust your gut and the facts you’ve gathered.
I get where you're coming from, but I actually found talking to subs and architects pretty helpful—if you go in with the right mindset. Sure, they might be a little guarded, but sometimes you pick up on stuff between the lines. Like, if an electrician says, “Yeah, we always get paid... eventually,” that tells you something about how the builder handles money. Or if an architect lights up talking about how collaborative the process was, that’s a good sign for communication.
It can get overwhelming if you try to weigh every single opinion equally. I like to treat it more like gathering puzzle pieces—some fit better than others. Past clients are key, but hearing from folks who worked *with* the builder gives you a peek behind the curtain. Just gotta filter out the noise and not overthink every little comment... easier said than done, right?