Thinking of building a new home? Here are some helpful tips:

Consider looking for a builder who specializes in the kind of house you have in mind. Are you building a small "craftsman" house? Something ultra-modern? Make sure the builder understands your vision.

Talk to previous clients. Ask them, "Did you get what you wanted? Was the project completed on time and on budget? If there were any corrections, were they handled quickly and efficiently?" Visit their houses, if they're willing to host you, or at least look at them carefully from the outside if you can.

Check the builder's credentials. Make sure they're financially solvent. Check with their subcontractors. Check ratings agencies.

Choose a builder who is a good communicator. Builders often have to explain why some ideas won't work, or why designs have to be tweaked. Find someone who you can trust and with whom you have good rapport. (Also, be flexible, and listen to your builder's ideas. An experienced professional usually knows what will work and what won't.) Let builders show you pictures of houses of which they're most proud. Maybe you'll prefer their designs to yours.

If you want a plain, basic house, work with a "production builder," who has a standard product offering that is often lower-cost. If you want a full-custom job, work with a more experienced (and likely more expensive) builder, so that you get exactly what you want.

Be sure you understand the builder's basic contract and warranty.

To view homebuilder quality and satisfaction ratings, click here:

http://www.jdpower.com/Homes/ratings/home-builder-quality-ratings/

http://www.jdpower.com/Homes/ratings/home-builder-customer-satisfaction-ratings/