You are pretty much on track and covering all the bases. Im not sure the building dept. can make referalls, but it cant hurt to ask. Another avenue is to simply cruise around to building sites and get the contact #'s of the projected homeowners, and give them a call asking how they like their builder.It also gives you a chance to see the work of that builder and subs.Talking to subs on a project might give you an idea, but otoh, they are more than likely to say that that particular builder is the best on the planet to give them a sense of job security.

How about asking at the bank?

Great ideas! Thanks!

A word of advice from a GC. It sounds like you have done the groundwork trying to find a good fit for your project. I have to ask.....if you have interviewed that many contractors and haven't been able to hire one have you considered that you may have some unrealistic expectations? My advice is always to find a company that you like and trust and work out the details.(multiple bidding is the biggest scam on owners in the construction industry) We are starting a project right now where the owner is in the contract mode. He is analizing every detail and trying to come up with scenarios where we might overcharge him. The latest is the overtime paragraph. He wants full disclosure in advance of any OT hours....HUH? If I have a process started and we need to finish, I am not trying to track down the owner to get permission. So we called him and talked it out. He now understands our policy with OT and is fine with it. Contract issues are usually based on misunderstanding.

Pick your top 5 drop dead issues and stick with them, but know that there is someone on the other side of the table who has to run a business.

good luck!

Believe me, I have pondered my expectations myself! But no, I don't think I'm being unrealistic at all; I think I've just been talking to the wrong kind of builders for the project. The urban area I live in right now is full of great builders - but they specialize in houses for the suburbs. There are many fantastic golf course developments around this area, including a couple of PGA championship courses. Those are the "hot" places to live around here because they have easy access to the freeway system and to the downtown area. So naturally, most of the builders in this area gear their businesses to what's hot and trendy.

I live in one of the "hot and trendy" areas right now and want to move about 30 miles away, to a rural area. The whole county is rural and agricultural in nature. There are basically two kinds of builders who build there - those who build huge estate homes for gentleman farmers and those who build very basic starter kinds of homes for those with limited resources. I don't have limited resources, but I do have specific wants in this house and I do admit I expect a higher level of craftsmanship and amenities than some of these builders are used to providing in starter homes. What I need is someone who builds somewhere in the middle.

But you make some very good points. There are certain things which are a deal breaker for me and I need to pin-point those and not worry so much about the smaller stuff. Being a professional woman myself, I'm just not used to a more informal way of doing business as many of these builders are. But I thought I'd found "the one" and thought he'd do a great job for me, but neither I nor my attorney could live with the loose contract he uses that gives him all the protection and affords me very little for my investment. When he wouldn't even sit down and listen to the concerns and try to negotiate something that we both could live with in a compromise, I knew I had to start all over again. After all, I am the consumer here and it's my money that's at risk if I'm stupid enough to give up all my rights by signing something I'm not comfortable with. There has to be trust on both sides and if there isn't, then it's time to walk away.

Thanks for your advice.

Most folks work hard for a nickel. It's your nickel,you should get your 5 cents worth. Take your time and be careful. There are vultures out there. I'll always believe there are far more decent builders out there than not, but as in a lot of aspects in life, the few bummers ruin the majority's good reputation. You'll find the right one. Trust your gut instincs.

Most areas have a Greater Home Builders Association - we loked at their list but went with one with found through word of mouth. That's the best way, imo.

You could ask your local lumber yard or subs working on houses in your area.