Blog | Merit Homes

Kirkland Luxury Home Builders: How to Choose the Right One In Your New Home Search

If you're considering building or buying your dream new construction home in Kirkland, know that choosing the right luxury home builder is critical. As you look around, you’ll find many options at your disposal, each as different as the last. Every contractor and company has their own pros and cons, so it’s a good idea to perform thorough research, hold interviews, and spend ample time weighing all your options.

In this blog, we’ll go through some tips to help you narrow your search and zero in on the best builder for your unique needs and your moving timeline. We’ll also explore what sets Merit Homes apart from other builders in the area and why choosing us to build your new construction home might just be the best way to get your dream home.

Start the Process Early

Firstly, let’s go over the ideal time to choose a builder or a building company. The earlier you start your search, the less pressure you’ll feel to make a decision on a whim without much thought. Additionally, you’ll have more time to research, ask for referrals, and reach out to companies to set up initial meetings.

Determine Your Desired Home Style

Take the time to truly figure out your architectural vision and convey it to the builders or building companies you interview. Maybe you’re looking for a spacious, three-story luxury home, or perhaps you hope to downsize to a one-story, modern ranch. If you’re in the Greater Kirkland area, finding a new construction rambler may prove increasingly difficult.

You’ll find that some builders are general builders and construct a wide variety of homes, while others specialize in specific home styles. Merit Homes, for example, focuses on Northwest Contemporary Style homes in the Pacific Northwest. We have the unique experience and skills to accommodate our signature architectural style that other home builders may be unfamiliar with. Our homes are exclusive to the Kirkland area and full of luxury features, such as a chef’s kitchen, a spa-inspired primary suite, oversized windows, high-end appliance packages, and designer finishes.

Determine Your Desired Location

Location plays a crucial role when choosing the right luxury home builder for your project. Before you begin your search, consider where you want to live and what you are looking for in a location. Are you seeking a waterfront property, or do you prefer a more urban, bustling area? What amenities do you need close by? How much land do you want or need? How long do you plan on living in this home (maybe you’re opting to turn this residence into a turnkey rental). These are all things to consider when looking at where you want to live.

Our advice is to hone in on your ideal city or neighborhood and choose a builder that has plenty of experience living, working, and building in the area. At Merit Homes, we strictly build luxury homes in Greater Kirkland - Houghton, Bridle Trails, Downtown, Rosehill and everything in between. With decades of land development, sales, and new home construction under our belt, our leadership team is well positioned to help you in your new home search. Ask for Referrals and Do Your Own Research

It’s highly likely that you have friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors, or even acquaintances who have experience with different home builders. Don’t be afraid to tap into your network and ask for recommendations on quality home builders. You can also read online reviews, reach out to a local home builders associations, or in-demand realtors in your area.

Unfortunately, not all builders are reputable. Bad reviews or social media complaints may indicate an issue, but unbelievably low rates, unclear communication, and asking for cash upfront are even more telling. If you notice any of these red flags, continue your search. It’s important to do your due diligence, especially when it comes to a significant purchase like this.

Interview Potential Builders

By interviewing prospective builders, you can get a good sense of who they are, their values, their past work, and their communication style. You’ll also find out how they’ll manage a new build and whether you “click” with them. As you interview potential builders, here are several examples of important questions to ask:

• How long have you been in business? You want to ensure that your builder has years of experience under their belt and a successful track record of building the type of home you desire. Merit Homes has been building expertly crafted Northwest Contemporary homes in Kirkland for over 50 years. Our experience speaks for itself!
• Are you licensed and insured? Before you move forward with any builder, make sure they’re licensed with the contractor’s board in your state. Any reputable builder should be licensed and insured, but it is never bad to do your due diligence. Rest assured, Merit Homes is fully licensed with the contractor’s board in Washington state, and our insurance coverage is up-to-date.
• What types of homes do you build? Are they a general contractor, production builder, spec builder, or custom home builder? Or do they specialize in a certain home type? Here at Merit Homes, we are recognized for our distinct and functional Northwest Contemporary style homes.
• Who will be my point of contact? Your point of contact, which may be a project manager or sales manager, should be easily accessible to answer any questions or concerns. At Merit Homes, you'll have a dedicated point of contact throughout the entire process, ready to answer any questions and offer support. You will also have a Customer Service team member who will guide you through your New Homeowner Orientation and walk-throughs.
• How does the process work? During initial meetings, make sure to ask for a breakdown of the company's process. How many times will you meet with your point of contact, and how quickly will things move? When will you need to submit certain documents, and when will you actually have the keys to your new dream home? These are things you should be made aware of in the beginning.
• Are there any homes available for me to look at? To get a feel for the builders' design style and craftsmanship firsthand, you should inquire about available homes and when you can tour potential models. We invite you to view our available homes in the Kirkland area here and contact our Sales Manager, Feisal Ramjee, to start the process.
• Do you offer a home warranty? A comprehensive home warranty shows that a builder is confident in their craftsmanship. At Merit Homes, we stand by the quality of our workmanship, which is why we offer a robust new home construction warranty for peace of mind.

View Project Portfolio’s and Browse Available Homes

Any luxury home builder should have an extensive portfolio with the various builds and homes they’ve successfully completed. Be sure to ask for access to it and thoroughly review it. Not only can a portfolio demonstrate a positive track record, it may give you an idea of what type of results you can realistically expect.

You should also find out what homes they have available and if you can tour to get a feel for the quality of construction and attention to detail. Here at Merit Homes, we have an extensive photo gallery, video gallery, and floor plans for potential and current clients to review as well as a current list of available homes. Feel free to go through our work and contact us about an available home that piques your interest.

Contact Merit Homes, a Kirkland Luxury Home Builder

If you are interested in owning a luxury, Northwest Contemporary Style home in Kirkland, there's no better builder than Merit homes. Contact us today to learn more about our available homes and schedule a tour.