While you already know you want a home of superior quality, do you know how to recognize that level of craftsmanship when you see it? Many builders are putting their best foot forward when they design show homes, so it can be hard to tell what’s standard and what’s not.

Additionally, companies are continually producing products that mimic the look of higher quality products at more affordable prices. They look great the first year but start to break down as time goes by.

Use the information below as a guide to help you find the superior quality you're looking for in a home builder.

1. Visit Different Building Companies

As you start the home buying process, take some time to tour the homes of different builders. In many cases, differences in quality will be obvious right away. Sometimes, it’s only in seeing the differences between the cheaper materials one company uses and the higher quality materials used by another builder that you really start to get a feel for it.

Visiting with different home builders also gives you the chance to learn more about each business, including how many years they’ve been in the industry, what types of warranties they offer, and whether they are members of any professional organizations. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association says that all of these factors are important when selecting a builder.

2. Compare Standard Specifications

Look closely at what types of materials are offered as standard on new home builds. Sometimes, you’ll be enticed by a builder’s lower home prices only to find you’ll have to pay much more for the superior quality you really want. On the other hand, a builder who consistently chooses higher quality materials as the standard option is showing a commitment to quality throughout the home. They want their business’ name to be associated with the luxury that comes with quality.

3. Ask About Building Materials

When you talk to the sales representatives, be sure to ask about the materials they use in building the home. Some things you might not have considered are the type of wood used and the brand of windows. Ask the builder why they’ve chosen a particular product or material type. You might find that one builder uses a product because it’s the cheapest, while another chooses one because they’ve noticed it's more durable or has a better warranty. These things can definitely make a home better than the rest.

4. Contact the Builder’s References

Customer satisfaction can say a lot about the quality of the builder. Don’t buy a home from a company without talking to a few customers. In particular, ask them about any problems they may have had with the home after it construction was complete. Did the builder made repairs quickly and honour the warranty? It's important to know the answers to these questions.

If possible, tour the neighbourhoods on your own and speak with random homeowners you meet. If you rely on references the builder provides, you might only be speaking with people who have had positive experiences. It’s good to hear a few negative things too since this gives you the chance to see how a company responds when things go wrong.

5. Look Into the Builder’s Older Homes

If a builder has been in business for a long time, it’s wise to look at some of the previous homes the company has built. After 10 years or more, you’ll really be able to see how the home has fared. Pay attention to whether the exterior still looks good and if you can, see if the owner has had to make several repairs. While building companies have made changes to their designs and responded to customer feedback over the years, good quality should stand the test of time.

6. Consider Costs

While a higher price doesn’t always mean better quality, there’s no doubt that superior products will come with a higher price tag. If the price on a builder’s home seems too good to be true, take a step back and find out why. This doesn’t mean that you should jump into an expensive home for the security of quality. You need to balance the cost of quality with what’s affordable for your family. Play around with our mortgage calculators to estimate the cost of your new home and see how making different choices can make a big difference in the long-term.

It’s understandable to be cautious about buying a new home when you’re not sure of the quality of the materials used. When you research different builders, you’ll find ones that have a strong focus on superior quality. That’s the right builder for you.