ARE BUILDER REFERENCES REALLY THAT HELPFUL OR JUST FLUFF?
When you were checking references, did you ask about budget surprises? I’m always worried about hidden costs popping up halfway through...
That’s a big one. I actually have a little checklist I run through when I talk to references—budget surprises is always near the top. I’ll usually ask, “Did anything end up costing more than you expected? If so, how did the builder handle it?” Sometimes people get cagey, but if you phrase it like you’re just trying to learn, they open up more.
One thing I’ve noticed: folks are way more likely to mention small annoyances (like the lawn thing) than major issues unless you really dig. I once had someone tell me the builder “forgot” to include landscaping in the quote—didn’t find out until after move-in. That was a fun surprise...
My advice: don’t just ask if they were happy overall. Get specific—timelines, communication, what changed from the original contract. And yeah, sometimes it feels awkward, but better a little awkward now than a lot of regret later.
ARE BUILDER REFERENCES REALLY THAT HELPFUL OR JUST FLUFF?
I’m with you on digging for specifics—general “they were great” answers don’t tell you much. I always ask about how changes were documented, too. Did the builder issue change orders in writing, or was it more casual? That’s where a lot of budget creep sneaks in. One thing I’ve noticed: if a reference hesitates or glosses over a question about delays, that’s usually a red flag for me. Sometimes people don’t want to badmouth anyone, but if you listen for what they *don’t* say, you pick up a lot.
if a reference hesitates or glosses over a question about delays, that’s usually a red flag for me.
That’s a good catch. I always find myself asking about punch list items—did the builder fix things quickly, or did it drag out? Sometimes folks will say “oh, there were a few little things…” but never say if they were resolved. I actually called a reference once who admitted they didn’t want to answer on speaker because the builder was in the room. That told me more than any glowing review could. Ever tried asking for photos of finished work? Sometimes those speak louder than words.
ARE BUILDER REFERENCES REALLY THAT HELPFUL OR JUST FLUFF?
- I get the instinct to dig for red flags, but honestly, references can be pretty limited as a vetting tool.
- Most builders only give out contacts they know will say nice things. It’s rare to get the full story, even if you ask about delays or punch lists.
- Photos help, but they don’t show what’s behind the walls or how the builder handled issues that came up.
- I’ve found site visits during construction more revealing than any reference call. You see how organized things are, how subs interact, and whether the jobsite’s a mess.
- Not saying references are useless, just... I wouldn’t put too much weight on them alone. There’s always more to the story.
ARE BUILDER REFERENCES REALLY THAT HELPFUL OR JUST FLUFF?
Couldn’t agree more—references are almost always cherry-picked. I’ve had folks call my past clients and, sure, they get the good stories. But you want the real scoop? Show up unannounced to a jobsite, see how it’s actually run. That’ll tell you way more than a glowing phone call ever will. References are fine, but they’re just one tiny piece of the puzzle.
