Find the Best Home Builders in Omaha, NE

How to choose a home builder in Omaha

One of the most important decisions during the home buying process is selecting the right custom home builder. Finding a good construction company in Omaha takes time and shouldn’t be rushed. Start by creating a list of potential builders after checking with the following resources:

• Friends, family and coworkers
• Local lenders
• Reputable realtors
• Online ratings and reviews
• The Nebraska State Home Builders Association

You can also vet custom home builders in Omaha by visiting their recently-built projects and talking to their references. Make sure potential builders are all properly licensed, bonded and insured.

Now that you have a list of custom home builders think about what’s most important to you from a home design perspective and compare that to what they offer in Omaha. For example:

• If eco-friendliness is your top priority, only consider developers who build energy-efficient homes.
• Maybe having a gas stove is a goal of yours, but a potential developer only offers electric. Remove them from your list.
• Warranties let you rest easy and even save money down the road. If a possible home builder’s lack of warranty makes you uneasy, don’t do business with them.

Questions to ask a home builder

Selecting the right home builder in Omaha is a crucial part of creating your dream home. Don’t be afraid to ask potential custom home builders any of the following:

• How many years of experience do they have?
• Is the builder licensed by the Nebraska Department of Labor?
• Is the home builder licensed with the city of Omaha?
• Are they bonded for $10,000 and insured for at least $500,000, per Omaha requirements?
• Can you see proof of their worker's compensation insurance?
• Can you check their portfolio?
• Do they have a list of references?
• What are their payment terms?

Once you know you’re dealing with a reputable company, move on to other questions regarding customization and warranties:

• What is customizable, and what is only available in standard trim?
• How much can you change the floor plan? For example, can you add a deck or basement?
• What kind of warranty program does the builder offer?
• Does the price include landscaping?
• Is the sub-contractor work guaranteed? If so, by them or the subcontractor?
• Can you choose material suppliers?
• Does the builder guarantee a completion date?

How much does it cost to build a home in Omaha?

The average cost to build a home in the Omaha area ranges from $233,000 to $345,000. Elkhorn is booming with new construction, and Gretna and Chalco are both popular suburbs for new development as well.

Home costs in Omaha vary based on many factors, including your construction method, design, materials and appliances.

The way the custom home builder constructs the house makes a huge difference in cost. For example, prefabricated homes that builders manufacture in a factory and assemble on-site usually cost 10% to 20% less than a traditional custom home.

You don’t have a lot of custom home design choices with prefabricated homes in Omaha, but traditional, on-site construction lets you customize everything. The layout, number of rooms, countertops, flooring, paint colors, siding, cabinets, appliances and fixtures are all adjustable to your tastes, for a cost.

If your budget can’t handle a fully custom home, building in an Omaha housing development is more affordable and still offers a high degree of design customization.

Cost isn’t the only consideration when building a home in Omaha:

• Building a home takes about six months, but it may take even longer for larger homes or houses with multiple custom features. Nebraska weather can be unpredictable as well, so expect delays.
• Consider the company’s reputation. Do they have a history of finishing jobs on time and under budget? What happens if they exceed either estimate?
• Lastly, take your time reviewing the custom home builder’s contract and making sure you understand what’s in it exactly. If you’re unsure, have a lawyer look it over.