8 Tips For Choosing Home Builders In OKC

Building a new home is an exciting and significant investment and choosing the right home builder is crucial to ensure your vision comes to life. If you’re getting ready to look at new homes in Oklahoma City, here are some key factors to consider when selecting a builder for your dream home.

1. Reputation & Experience

It’s important to look for home builders in OKC with a solid track record and years of experience in the Oklahoma market. Research reviews, testimonials, and past projects to see how well they deliver on their promises. Additionally, finding home builders in OKC who are familiar with the specific building codes, weather patterns, and market trends in the area can make a big difference in the quality and functionality of your home.

Shaw Homes is an Oklahoma-owned and operated business, and we’ve built thousands of new homes in OKC as well as the Tulsa metro area. We aren’t a huge out-of-state construction business; we work and live in Oklahoma and are dedicated to building the best new homes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

2 Quality of Construction

When searching for home builders in Oklahoma, buyers should inquire about the types of materials the builder uses. Are they using high-quality, durable materials that stand up to Oklahoma’s weather conditions, such as tornadoes and temperature fluctuations?

To learn more about our construction standards, head to the Homebuying 101 tab and go to the Q&A section. We have a plethora of helpful videos that speak to our high construction standards and how we address many common issues here in Oklahoma.

Visit model homes or recently completed projects to examine the level of craftsmanship. Look closely at details like cabinetry, flooring, and finishes to assess the quality of their work. At Shaw Homes, we have the largest collection of model homes in Oklahoma, and these homes offer a perfect opportunity for home buyers to truly check out our high construction and design standards.

3. Customization Options

Some builders offer a fixed set of floor plans, while others provide the option to fully customize. If you have a unique vision for your home, choose a builder that offers the flexibility to adjust designs, features, and finishes to match your preferences. Be sure to ask about opportunities to personalize features like cabinetry, countertops, and exterior finishes. This will help ensure your home reflects your lifestyle and tastes.

At Shaw Homes, some of our homes are completed while others are under construction. With many of these homes, buyers can personalize a wide range of design details, including flooring, fixtures, cabinetry, lighting, paint colors and more.

With our Design Studio, we have experts who can assist you every step of the way, helping you to discover the design palette that truly reflects your personality and tastes. Our studio includes samples of just about everything you might need for your home, and this allows buyers to select finishes and design elements at one convenient location rather than having to drive from warehouse to warehouse to select items.

Keep in mind, we are also custom home builders in OKC and, if you own a piece of land, we can provide you with a home design that meets your needs and tastes. You can select from one of our many floorplans and adjust the exterior and interior design as needed.

4. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability

Oklahoma’s extreme temperatures make energy efficiency a top priority. Look for home builders in OKC who offer eco-friendly home designs with energy-efficient windows, appliances, and HVAC systems. New home builders who prioritize sustainability will not only reduce your home’s carbon footprint but also help lower long-term utility bills through energy-efficient construction.

5. Warranty & Customer Support

A reliable home builder will provide a solid warranty for their work. Make sure the builder offers a comprehensive warranty that covers both the structural integrity of the home and any potential issues with systems like plumbing or electrical. To check out our warranty, simply head to the Warranty tab on our homepage and download the information.

Customer service doesn’t end when the home is finished. Inquire about the builder’s process for addressing post-construction issues and how quickly they respond to concerns. Under the Warranty tab, you also can find a link for emergencies as well as Frequently Asked Questions and a spot where you can submit a claim.

6. Licensing & Insurance

It is wise to verify that the builder is properly licensed and insured to work in Oklahoma. This protects you from liability in case of accidents or disputes during the construction process. Again, Shaw Homes is based in Oklahoma, and we are fully licensed and insured.

OKC and Tulsa home builders who are members of professional organizations are more likely to follow industry best practices and adhere to high standards. At Shaw Homes, we are members of the National Association of Home Builders, the Tulsa Association of Home Builders and the Better Business Bureau.

7. Cost Transparency

Beware of builders who give vague cost estimates. Ask for detailed quotes that break down the price of materials, labor, and additional services. This helps ensure there are no hidden fees down the road. Choose a builder who will work within your budget and offer suggestions on how to save money without sacrificing quality.

At Shaw Homes, transparency is just as important to us as it is to our clients, and we provide each homebuyer with a comprehensive price quote and ensure that the buyer understands all included features and the costs of these features. 

8. Building Process & Timeline

Oklahoma’s weather can impact building timelines, so it’s important to work with a builder who sets realistic deadlines. Ask about their process for managing delays and keeping the project on track.

During the building process, we invite you to visit the site at any time to monitor progress. We also will provide you with weekly updates from your designated construction manager.

Once the home is 100% complete, we schedule a Homeowner Orientation Meeting. During this meeting, we take you room by room through your new home with a quality control manager as part of our Quality Assurance Walkthrough. We also will teach you how all of the components of your home function, such as the appliances, lighting pilot lights, the HVAC system, etc.

Our Oklahoma City New Home Communities

If you’ve been searching for new homes in Oklahoma City, Shaw Homes offers new homes in Edmond OK as well as in Guthrie. Both of these communities have much to offer residents including excellent schools, easily accessible health care, community parks and many other amenities.

Our homes in Edmond start in the low to mid-$400s and range from about 2,700 square feet up to almost 3,500 square feet. In Guthrie, we have homes ranging from about 1,400 square feet to 2,200 square feet with prices starting in the upper $200s.

To learn more about these new homes in Oklahoma City, head to our homepage and head to the Choose Your Area tab which has links to our homes in the OKC metro area as well as Tulsa, including homes for sale in Owasso OK, homes for sale in Broken Arrow OK and homes for sale in Bixby OK.

Whether you are searching for home builders in OKC or Tulsa, Shaw Homes offers the highest quality single-family homes in Oklahoma at affordable prices. We also offer up to $45,000 work of additional buyer’s incentives. Take a look at our available homes and floor plans and if you see a good match for your needs contact us at any time to start your journey into home ownership.