As a builder, I am always interested in how people find my name when searching for the many local builders available in their area. So I always ask the question: "How did you find out about me?" The answers I found were quite creative and would benefit anyone looking to build a new home looking for house builders near me in their area.

5 tips to get started:

Ask your local banker. I hear this answer often and it makes sense if you think about it. Your local banker writes a large number of mortgage loans for home buyers and home builders in your area. Bankers are the ones who know if the homebuilder stayed within budget or went $30,000 over budget. He knows which builders are in financial trouble and which are not. Most local banks require custom builders to be "qualified" or maintain a list of "approved" local builders on file. Asking your banker for references is a good place to start as they will not recommend builders who are not of the highest quality. Banks want satisfied customers, and that means a custom builder who can stay on budget and on schedule.

Open Houses/Realtors Attend open houses for pre-built custom homes in your area. This will allow you to see the level of quality that a particular custom builder provides. You can see first-hand how home furnishings and crafts look after 3-5 years. If you like (or don't like) a house, ask the realtor: "Who built this house?" Chances are the real estate agent knows the answer or can check with the owners for you.

People: Bad contractor stories spread faster than wildfire. You'll probably warn all your friends if a builder goes thousands of dollars over budget and has to take out a second mortgage. Ask your friends and coworkers if they know of any local residential contractors.

Association Websites Every county or city has a home building association. These home building organizations can provide a list of local builders who are members of their organization. These are good home building resources because a reliable home builder will be a member of these types of home building organizations.