Every question a new-home buyer might ask, in three tiers: 96 still open (check them off as they're answered — saves in this browser), 60 already answered for the site, and 48 we're handling in person rather than publishing. Only the open tier is a checklist.
01The builder — trust & track record
02Getting started
03Floor plans & design
04Lots, land & the homesite
05Price & what's included
06Customization, upgrades & selections
07Financing
08Contract & legal
09Construction quality & materials
10Timeline & construction
11Walkthroughs & inspections
12Warranty & after the sale
13Closing & move-in
14HOA, community & neighborhood
15Taxes, insurance & cost of ownership
16Resale & investment
17Texas / East Texas specifics
18The questions behind the questions
Already answered · 60
These are covered — the answers are published (or ready to publish) on the site. Here for reference, not action.
Collapse ▲Show all 60 ▾
01The builder — trust & track record5
✓1How long have you been building homes? How many have you built?
✓2How many homes do you build per year? Are you growing, steady, or scaling back?
✓4Who actually owns the company, and are the owners involved day to day?
✓11Do you build anywhere else, or only here? Why this market?
✓14Why should I trust a regional builder over a national one like D.R. Horton or Lennar?
02Getting started5
✓18What are the steps from first contact to move-in?
✓19What's the difference between a "buildable" home and an "available" home?
✓20Do I pick a plan and you build it, or do you have homes already going up I can claim?
✓21Do you have a model home or completed homes I can walk through?
✓183What's the difference between a spec home and a pre-sold home?new
03Floor plans & design7
✓29How many floor plans do you offer? Can I see all of them?
✓30What's the size range, bedroom/bath range, and price range?
✓31Which plans are single-story vs. two-story?
✓32What's the difference between a plan and its "Plus" version?
✓38What architectural styles do you offer, and can any plan be built in any style?
✓39Which styles are available now vs. coming soon?
✓40Can I see the same plan already built so I know what I'm getting?
04Lots, land & the homesite5
✓42Is the lot included in the price, or priced separately?
✓45What's the lot size, and what's the difference between 40-ft and 45-ft lots?
✓49What's the soil like, and what foundation do you use for it?
✓53What's included on the lot — sod, fence, sprinklers, trees, driveway?
✓55What's planned for the rest of the streets — how long will I live next to construction?
05Price & what's included5
✓56What's the base price, and what's the realistic all-in price?
✓57What comes standard with every home? Get me the full list.
✓63What's the lot price vs. the home price vs. the upgrades — broken out?
✓67What does the configurator estimate include and exclude? How accurate is it?
✓203Do your homes have gas?new
06Customization, upgrades & selections3
✓75Are there pre-set packages (good/better/best) or is everything à la carte?
✓76If I add nothing, is the standard home actually complete and livable?
✓188What selections are standard, and what are upgrades?new
07Financing1
✓78Do you have a preferred lender? Am I required to use them?
08Contract & legal1
✓94What's the warranty's dispute-resolution process?
09Construction quality & materials7
✓97What foundation type do you use, and why is it right for this soil?
✓98How is the home framed (lumber, engineered, on-center spacing)?
✓99What brand and grade of windows, HVAC, water heater, roofing, appliances?
✓100What insulation and R-values? Is it spray foam or batt?
✓101How is the home made energy efficient — what's the HERS / energy rating?
✓103Is it solar-ready / EV-ready / smart-home wired?
✓107Does the home meet or exceed current code? Which code year?
10Timeline & construction2
✓114How will you keep me updated — portal, calls, photos, a single point of contact?
✓115Who is my point of contact day to day (superintendent, sales, project manager)?
11Walkthroughs & inspections4
✓119Do I get a pre-drywall walkthrough to see what's behind the walls?
✓120Is there a final / "blue tape" walkthrough before closing?
✓124Do you do a 30-day and 11-month warranty walkthrough?
✓199What is a punch list?new
12Warranty & after the sale7
✓125What's covered, and for how long? (Workmanship vs. systems vs. structural.)
✓126Can I see the actual warranty document before I buy?
✓127What's the process to file a warranty claim, and how fast do you respond?
✓128Who do I call for an emergency (water, electrical, HVAC) on day 2?
✓129What's not covered, and what voids the warranty?
✓130Are appliances/HVAC warrantied by you or the manufacturer?
✓132Are you still around and responsive years later, or do warranty calls go cold?
13Closing & move-in2
✓137Do you walk me through how everything in the home works?
✓138What documents, manuals, and warranties do I leave closing with?
14HOA, community & neighborhood2
✓141Is there an HOA? What are the dues and what do they cover?
✓145How many phases, how many lots left, and how long until build-out?
15Taxes, insurance & cost of ownership1
✓202What affects my monthly payment?new
17Texas / East Texas specifics2
✓161How do you build for expansive clay soil and foundation movement?
✓165What's the heat/humidity efficiency strategy (HVAC sizing, attic, radiant barrier)?
18The questions behind the questions1
✓172"What makes you different from the big national builder down the road?"
Not asked here · 48
Deliberately kept off the public site — sensitive, nuanced, or legal answers best handled live by the Sidar team. Not gaps; a choice.
Collapse ▲Show all 48 ▾
01The builder — trust & track record7
–7Can I speak with families who bought from you in the last year?live
–8Can I talk to someone who's lived in a Sidar home for 3+ years?live
–9Have you ever had a buyer sue you, or a major dispute? How was it resolved?live
–10Are you financially stable? What happens to my home and money if you go under mid-build?live
–15What's the worst thing that's gone wrong on a build, and how did you handle it?live
–16Do you self-perform any work, or is everything subcontracted? Who supervises the subs?live
–17How long have your key trade partners (framers, foundation, etc.) worked with you?live
02Getting started2
–24Do I need a real estate agent? Can I bring my own? Do you pay their commission?live
–26How long does the whole process take from contract to keys?live
03Floor plans & design2
–33Can I modify a floor plan (move a wall, add a room, flip the layout)?live
–35Can I bring my own plan / do a fully custom home, or only your plans?live
04Lots, land & the homesite1
–44What's a lot premium and which lots have one?live
05Price & what's included5
–58What is not included that I'd assume is (fridge, blinds, fence, landscaping, gutters)?live
–59Is the price locked at contract, or can it change before closing?live
–60Is there a price-escalation clause? Under what conditions can you raise it?live
–61How much earnest money / deposit do you require? Is it refundable?live
–64Are there builder incentives right now (rate buy-down, free upgrades, closing-cost help)?live
06Customization, upgrades & selections4
–71What are the most popular upgrades, and which actually add resale value?live
–72What do upgrades cost — can I see a price list before I'm emotionally invested?live
–73Can I supply my own materials or appliances? Do my own work (paint, landscaping)?live
–74Can I have my own contractor do something after closing without voiding warranty?live
07Financing3
–82What credit score and down payment do I realistically need?live
–84Do you offer rate buy-downs or financing incentives right now?live
–86Are there down-payment assistance or first-time-buyer programs you work with?live
08Contract & legal7
–89What contingencies are in the contract (financing, inspection, appraisal)?live
–90Under what conditions can I cancel, and what do I get back?live
–91Under what conditions can you cancel on me?live
–92What happens if the home isn't finished by the promised date?live
–93Is there a binding arbitration clause? Can I opt out?live
–95Who holds my deposit, and is it protected if something goes wrong?live
–96Is there a builder's right of first refusal or resale restriction?live
09Construction quality & materials3
–102What's the estimated monthly utility cost for this home?live
–104Who are your subcontractors, and how do you vet and supervise them?live
–105Can I bring my own third-party inspector during the build?live
10Timeline & construction3
–110How long does a home take to build start to finish?live
–112What causes delays, and how often do you hit your dates?live
–116What happens to my rate lock / rent / current home sale if you run late?live
11Walkthroughs & inspections1
–122Can I bring my own inspector to the final walkthrough?live
12Warranty & after the sale1
–133What's your warranty-claim rate — how often do homes have issues?live
14HOA, community & neighborhood2
–146What schools serve this community? District ratings?live