10 Things To Look For In A Custom Home Builder
Choose The Right Builder To Build Your Custom Home
Choosing the right custom home builder in Spearfish or in any area is one of the most important steps in creating your dream home. From initial planning to the final walk-through, the right builder will guide you with transparency, experience, and a proven process.
At Legacy Custom Homes & Design, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Spearfish and the Black Hills bring their vision to life. Here are 10 things you should look for when selecting your custom home builder.
1. They Know The Area Inside & Out
Before construction even begins, your builder should have a deep understanding of the local area. That means:
Knowing soil conditions (like clay vs. rocky terrain)
Accounting for proper drainage and grading
Understanding rural utility access, septic systems, or city hookups
Navigating local wildfire zoning or snow load requirements
Complying with local building codes and HOA regulations
We Know The Area And How To Build Here
Legacy has built custom homes in nearly every subdivision in Spearfish and most of the surrounding Black Hills area. We know the ins and outs of building in the Black Hills. We can also help you find the right lot and evaluate if it fits your vision and budget.
2. They Handle All Building Permits and Local Approvals
A professional custom home builder will take full responsibility for securing the correct permits and working with local inspectors. Permitting mistakes can stall or even shut down a project.
Our team at Legacy handles all permits and city or county approvals, so your project stays compliant and on schedule.
3. They Offer a Proven Custom Home Building Process
A great builder doesn’t just build homes—they follow a proven custom home building process that’s been tested, refined, and delivers consistent results.
Our custom home building process starts with a custom design consultation, includes detailed budgeting, clear timelines, and coordinated communication at every phase of the build. You’ll always know where you are—and what’s coming next.
4. They Provide Realistic Timelines, Material Details, and Cost Transparency
A reputable builder will tell you:
How long your home will take to complete
What materials are being used and why
What the actual cost will be—not just a guess
In our bidding process, we provide detailed budgets, weekly photo updates, and finish schedules, keeping you informed about lead times, allowances, and what to expect throughout your custom home building journey with us.
5. They Help You Compare Bids Accurately
Not all builder bids are created equal. Some will leave out major expenses—like site prep, utilities, or permits—to appear lower at first glance.
We help you compare builder bids line by line, so you’re truly comparing apples to apples. Our custom home bids are transparent, comprehensive, and reflect the full scope of your custom home project.
6. They Use a Reliable Team—In-House and Subcontractors
Ask any builder: who is actually doing the work? Are they managing the project closely, or passing it off entirely to outside contractors?
At Legacy, we use a blend of in-house team members and highly vetted subcontractors we’ve worked with for years. From framing to finish carpentry, your home is built by people who meet our quality standards.
7. They Communicate Clearly and Consistently
If your builder doesn’t respond to emails, texts, or questions during the early stages, it won’t get better during construction.
Great communication means:
Frequent updates
On-site meetings
Straightforward answers
Our team at Legacy knows how much communication matters, that’s why it’s one of the building blocks of our company.
8. They Have an Excellent Local Reputation
A builder’s reputation speaks volumes. Check Google reviews, ask for references, and speak with past clients.
Legacy has earned the trust of families across Spearfish and the Black Hills. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners bring their custom home vision to life—and we’re happy to connect you with past clients who can share their experience.
9. They Offer In-House Custom Home Design Services
Some builders outsource design to third parties. Legacy brings it in-house.
We literally draw every plan from scratch to match your lot, lifestyle, and goals. Whether it’s a walkout ranch, modern mountain home, or multi-level floor plan—we can design it, down to the last detail.
10. They Help You Navigate the Custom Home Loan Process
While building your dream home is an exciting journey, the financing side can feel overwhelming. A quality custom home builder should help guide you through the financing process—even if they aren’t a lender themselves.
At Legacy Custom Homes & Design, we do not offer financing directly, but we’ve worked with many local lenders and know what it takes to help clients secure the right loan for their project. Whether you’re financing land and construction together or already own your lot, we can help you understand which loan options may apply to your situation and connect you with professionals who do this every day.
We’re familiar with custom home construction loans in Spearfish, including:
One-time close construction-to-permanent loans
USDA Rural Development loans
VA and FHA construction loan options
Conventional new construction loan programs
Our team is also experienced in helping clients understand how land equity can be used toward a down payment, how rate lock options work, and what paperwork lenders typically require.
We’ll walk with you through this stage to ensure your financing experience is as seamless as your build.
Build With a Team You Can Trust
Your home is a major investment, and the builder you choose will determine how smooth—or stressful—the process will be.
At Legacy Custom Homes & Design, we bring a proven custom home building process, in-house design, deep knowledge of the Spearfish area, and a reputation built on transparency and trust. When you’re ready to build in the Black Hills, we’re here to help you do it right.
Ready to Start Your Custom Home Building Journey?
Call us today or stop by our Spearfish design studio to learn more about building your custom home in Spearfish or the Black Hills area with Legacy. We’ve helped hundreds of families build their forever homes—and we’re ready to build yours.
