Do you want to know who built your home? Maybe you want to know the history of your home. Maybe you need to contact the builder in order to have repairs or build new construction in the future. Whatever your reason, finding the builder of your home can be extremely helpful. While it won’t overnight, you can take some simple steps to find out this information.
In this guide, we will walk you through how to find out who built your home in easy steps that you can try on your own.
Review Your Home’s Title and Deed Documents
Your beginning is to glance at the deed or title of your home. These are documents that contain the proof of the property’s ownership. You would have received these documents when you bought your house. If you lack them, you can ask your title company or visit your county recorder’s office.
Occasionally, the perfect home builder or the developer’s name will be listed on these documents, especially if the house was newly built at the time of sale.
Look for names under “Grantor” (seller) or “Developer.” This could lead you straight to the builder.
Visit the Local Building Department
Every house needs a building permit before it can be built. These permits are usually kept at the local building department or city planning office. You can stop by there or call and ask them for building permit records for your property.
They might have:
- The general contractor or builder’s name
- The designer’s or architect’s name
- The date the house was built
- Any inspection reports
Bring your home address and ID along. There may be a small fee for making copies of the records at some offices.
Phone the County Tax Assessor’s Office
Another place to visit is the office of your county tax assessor. This office keeps records on property taxes and homeownership. While the tax records may not always contain the builder, they may provide:
- When the house was built
- Who initially owned the house
- History of land development
If the original owner is a company or a builder, then you’re quite sure. Most tax assessor offices have websites on which you can search property records by address.
Ask Your Neighbors
Getting in touch with neighbors can be a very simple and useful method of locating the builder. Permanent residents of the locality may recall when the houses were originally constructed. They may be aware of the name of the building company or contractor.
You can also inquire if they have any older documents or papers pertaining to the construction of the houses. If your house is in a subdivision or planned community, there’s a good chance that most of the houses were constructed by the same builder.
Reach out to the Homeowners Association (HOA)
If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA (Homeowners Association), you can contact them. The majority of HOAs will have information about the home contractors, especially if the neighborhood was built by one company.
The HOA may have:
- Builder contact numbers
- Maps for community development
- Warranty or repair phone numbers
They may also tell you who to call next if they are not sure of the information.
Look Around the House for Clues
Your home itself may give you clues about who built it. Contractors and builders sometimes leave identification on things like:
- Electric panels
- HVAC units
- Pipes or plumbing fixtures
- Behind kitchen cabinets
- The garage door opener
- Behind the sink or behind appliances
Maybe a company name, phone number, or date. These small bits of info may help you track down the builder or at least the subcontractors they hired.
Check Real Estate Websites
Try to look up your house on these sites:
- Zillow
- Realtor.com
- Redfin
- Trulia
Some of these sites include detailed information on the property. If your home is newly constructed, the name of the builder might show up under “Home Facts” or “Property Details.” Check the selling history of the house too. If the original sale was by a developer or builder, that’s another strong clue.
Search Online Property Records or GIS Tools
Many counties and municipalities have GIS (Geographic Information System) online resources now. They allow you to search by address and see data on the buildings and property.
Some of the public records may include:
- Date of construction
- Builder’s name or developer
- Permit history
- Subdivision name
Just go to your city or county website and enter “GIS property records” or “land records.”
Check With the Original Real Estate Agent
If you just bought your home, the builder might be familiar to your real estate agent. Even without an agent, you can ask the agent who listed the property. Real estate agents usually have notes or marketing materials with the builder’s name, especially if the house was newly built when sold.
Employ a Title Researcher or Property Historian
If you have exhausted all the simple avenues and still can’t locate the builder, you can employ a title researcher or property historian. They will be aware of how to trace detailed property records and can delve deeper into the history of your home.
They can dig through old building permits, maps, deeds, and records. This costs money, but it could be worth it if you need the information to use for legal, safety, or renovation purposes.
Final Thoughts
Locating the builder of your house can be a time-consuming process, but it’s not necessarily out of reach. Using public records, asking the proper individuals, and checking around your house will frequently provide you with the information that you are seeking. For whatever reason you need to know more about your house’s history or to contact the builder for fixing issues, these measures can assist you in moving forward.
Do the simple ones first, like checking your deed and talking to your neighbors. Second, go ahead with deeper searches if needed.
