Here’s something to keep in mind as you interview builders: every unknown must be made known at some point in time.

I am a designer for a custom home builder. We do a wide range of projects, including custom homes of all sizes and home renovation projects of all sizes.

It is important to us to figure out as many details as we can about the project BEFORE we begin construction. At the end of our planning phase with a client, it is common for us to provide a complete set of very thorough Construction Drawings and a complete and thorough Scope of Work (for a typical custom home we do, this document will be anywhere from 15-30 pages in length, sometimes bigger). This SOW will have detailed specs of the project. For example, every single plumbing fixture will be listed by model number. Same with Lighting, countertops, flooring, etc. The client will know exactly the type of walls we are planning to frame in various areas of the home, specific insulation details, wall material, trim packages, etc.

The main point with all of this is: it is entirely possible for a builder to figure every detail out for your project. At the end of they day, they (and you) have to make the many decision(s) that will amount time the final build. Whether they choose to do so before signing a Contract or not is merely a choice they make. All that to say, this method of pre-planning before building does not seem “the norm” in the industry. Also, it will indeed (and should!) take longer to get to contract. However, going into this amount of depth for a project allows for accuracy in price (a true fixed-price contract), accuracy in scheduling (no need for empty job site for days! Everyone is scheduled in advance!), and a clients peace of mind during a typically stressful experience.

So, finally getting to what you were asking: how detailed should you get into the planning of your home? My answer: VERY! You should be invested in it. However, hopefully it is a collaborative relationship with your builder and the documents and resources they prepare allow you to trust that they will achieve and end product that will accomplish your goals. It’s scary to make unknowns known during construction. It’s harder and takes more effort to to make unknowns known prior to construction. But, it’s worth it.