Building a custom home in Riverside or the surrounding Inland Empire is one of the most significant investments you will make. Between California's building code, the Title 24 energy requirements, expansive soils, fire-zone considerations, and seismic design, there's more to get right here than in most markets. The difference between a project that goes smoothly and one that doesn't almost always comes down to what was asked, confirmed, and documented before construction began.
Work through each section at your own pace. Your progress saves automatically. Items marked with a red indicator are warning signs that deserve a direct conversation with your builder before moving forward.
The builder you choose will have more influence over the outcome of your project than any other decision you make. These items help you identify who is qualified, accountable, and the right fit before a single dollar changes hands.
Licensing & Insurance
Confirm the builder holds an active California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license — typically a Class B (General Building Contractor) for custom home work
Verify the license number directly at cslb.ca.gov before your first meeting. Check the classification, status, expiration, and that the qualifying individual is still active.
Check for any disclosed complaints, citations, or legal actions on the CSLB recordWatch for
CSLB publishes license history including bond claims, accusations, and disciplinary actions. Patterns of disputes or repeated complaints warrant a direct conversation before proceeding.
Confirm active general liability and California Workers' Compensation coverage
Workers' Comp is required for any contractor with employees in California. Request a certificate of insurance naming you as certificate holder for the duration of the project.
Ask what warranty the builder offers — and whether it is a third-party warranty (e.g. 2-10 HBW) or builder-backed
California's Right to Repair Act (SB800) sets statutory standards and timeframes for construction defects — up to 10 years on structural elements. A third-party warranty (commonly 1-year fit-and-finish, 2-year systems, 10-year structural) survives even if the builder goes out of business.
Experience & Portfolio
Request references from completed projects in similar site conditions — hillside, expansive soil, wildfire-zone, or HOA-governed lots
Building in Riverside County has specific demands. Ask references whether the builder handled site challenges, agency reviews, and HOA approvals well — not just whether the home looks good.
Review the portfolio for projects that match your home's size, complexity, and architectural style
Read independent reviews carefully, not just testimonials on their websiteWatch for
Pay attention to how a builder responds to problems, not just whether things went smoothly. Every project has challenges. How they're handled is what matters.
Early Contractor Involvement
Ask whether the builder offers pre-construction services — site review, design input, and early budgeting before plans are submitted
Involving a builder at the design stage catches buildability issues, Title 24 compliance challenges, and cost surprises before they become expensive problems.
Be cautious of builders who are not willing to review your site or drawings until a contract is signedWatch for
A builder who won't engage until money is committed has not assessed your project's specific risks. This is where surprises begin.
In Riverside County, your site rarely tells the whole story on the surface. Expansive clay soils, hillside grading, fire-zone designations, seismic considerations, and HOA architectural review can all affect what gets built and how. These questions ensure nothing is left to assumption before design is finalized.
Site Assessment
Confirm the builder has reviewed your property survey and understands setback, height, lot coverage, and grading limits for your jurisdiction
Requirements differ across the City of Riverside, unincorporated Riverside County, and surrounding cities (Corona, Moreno Valley, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco). Jurisdiction experience matters.
Ask whether a geotechnical report is recommended given your site's slope, expansive-soil potential, or seismic exposure
Expansive clay soils are widespread across Riverside County and can cause significant foundation movement if not engineered for. A geotech report is typically required for any hillside lot or for permitting in most jurisdictions.
Confirm whether your site falls in a Cal Fire Fire Hazard Severity Zone — Moderate, High, or Very High — and whether Chapter 7A (WUI) construction standards apply
The Office of the State Fire Marshal released updated Riverside County FHSZ maps in March 2025, expanding Local Responsibility Area designations to include Moderate, High, and Very High zones. Many properties picked up new or upgraded designations. Chapter 7A requires ignition-resistant exterior materials, ember-resistant vents, dual-pane tempered glazing, and specific roof and eave details. These add real cost and need to be designed in early — check the Riverside County Fire Department FHSZ Map Viewer before assuming.
Ask what site servicing is required and confirm whether utilities, road access, septic, and drainage exist or need to be brought inWatch for
Undeveloped lots in the more rural parts of Riverside County frequently require well, septic, propane, power runs, or substantial grading. These costs can be significant and are not always included in an initial builder quote.
Design Coordination
Confirm the builder has reviewed the full set of architectural drawings, structural engineering, and Title 24 energy calculations before quoting
A quote based on incomplete drawings is not a reliable number. Make sure the builder has seen the structural set and the Title 24 report — both directly affect cost.
Ask how the builder communicates with your architect and designer during construction — who is responsible for resolving conflicts between drawings and field conditions?
Confirm all finish selections — stucco, roofing, windows, flooring, millwork — are documented in writing before the contract is signed
Verbal material agreements are nearly impossible to enforce. Written specifications protect you and keep the budget accurate.
Clarify explicitly what is not included in the quoteWatch for
Landscaping, hardscape, site grading beyond the footprint, pool, detached structures, solar PV oversizing, low-voltage and AV, and some mechanical items are frequently excluded without being stated. So are school fees, TUMF, and other agency impact fees.
Worth noting: California's Title 24 energy code (Part 6) and CALGreen (Part 11) apply to all new residential construction, and the California Solar Mandate requires PV on new single-family homes. The 2025 Energy Code took effect for permit applications on or after January 1, 2026 — it makes heat pumps the prescriptive baseline for space and water heating and tightens envelope, ventilation, and battery-readiness requirements. Ask your builder how the home is being designed to comply and what that means for your HVAC, water heating, windows, insulation, and long-term operating costs.
The contract is where your entire agreement becomes enforceable. A thorough review here protects you through the full length of the project. If something is unclear, ask before signing.
Scope & Pricing
Confirm the full scope of work, all materials and finishes, and all subcontractors are referenced in the contract
Understand whether the contract is fixed-price or cost-plus, and what that means for your exposure if costs increase
Cost-plus contracts offer transparency on actual costs but require trust and oversight. Fixed-price contracts shift more risk to the builder but require a complete scope to price accurately.
Scrutinize any down payment over 10% of the contract price — and understand what it coversWatch for
California Business & Professions Code §7159.5 caps down payments at $1,000 or 10% (whichever is less) for home improvement contracts, ADUs, and disaster-area rebuilds. Ground-up new construction sits outside that statute, so a builder may legitimately request a larger deposit to cover early procurement and design. Even so, anything above ~10% should be tied to specific materials or work, not just held by the builder.
Understand the payment schedule and confirm draws are tied to construction milestones, not calendar dates
Progress draws aligned to completed milestones keep incentives aligned. Confirm the schedule integrates with your lender's draw inspection process if you're financing.
Review the change order clause carefullyWatch for
Every scope or design change after signing should require a written change order with cost and timeline impacts confirmed before work proceeds. Verbal approvals lead to disputes at the end of the project.
Ask what contingency is built into the budget and what categories it covers
A 10–15% contingency is standard for custom builds. Understand whether it sits with the builder or the owner, and what triggers its use.
Timeline & Permits
Confirm the estimated start date, overall construction timeline, and which conditions could cause delays
Permit timelines vary significantly between the City of Riverside, the County, and surrounding jurisdictions. A realistic schedule accounts for plan check, agency comments, and revisions — not just construction days.
Confirm the builder will pull all required permits and that permit fees, plan check, school fees, TUMF, and other impact fees are either included in the quote or clearly identified as owner-paid
Warranty & Liens
Confirm written warranty coverage and review what is covered for how long — fit and finish, systems, and structural
In addition to California's statutory standards under SB800, ask whether the builder provides a third-party warranty policy (such as 2-10 HBW) and request the actual policy document, not just a summary.
Understand California mechanics lien law and how the builder handles preliminary 20-day notices and retentionWatch for
Subcontractors and suppliers in California must serve a preliminary 20-day notice to preserve lien rights. Confirm your builder collects and tracks these, and that conditional/unconditional lien waivers are obtained with each draw. Retention (typically 5–10%) should be withheld on each payment and only released after the lien period expires.
Good to know: If your project involves a construction loan, your lender will have their own draw inspection process. Confirm with your builder early that their payment schedule aligns with how your lender releases funds. Misalignment here causes cash flow problems mid-build.
You do not need to be on site every day, but knowing what to look for at each stage keeps the project on track and the builder accountable. These are the moments where attention matters most.
Communication & Updates
Confirm your dedicated point of contact during construction and how frequently updates will be provided
Ask who to contact if you have a concern while work is underway — there should be a direct line, not a message relayed through the site crew
Construction Milestones
Site prep, grading, and excavation: confirm the building pad, drainage, and grades match the approved civil and grading plans before foundation work begins
In Riverside County, rough grading certification is typically required before foundation inspection. Drainage matters: water needs to move away from the foundation, especially on expansive soils.
Foundation: confirm the foundation system aligns with the structural and geotechnical engineering, and that all required inspections are passed before framing
On expansive-soil or hillside sites, post-tensioned slabs and deepened footings are common. This is the stage to flag concerns early — what's underground is hard to revisit.
Framing & structural connections: confirm framing and shear inspections are passed, hold-downs and anchor bolts are correctly installed, and the structure matches the approved drawings
California's seismic design requires specific hardware, fastener schedules, and shear panel installation. These details get inspected — make sure they're done right the first time.
Building envelope: confirm weather-resistive barriers, window flashing, and air-sealing details are complete and inspected before stucco or cladding is applied
In the Inland Empire's heat, envelope quality drives long-term comfort and energy bills. Once stucco is on, flashing and air barrier deficiencies are hidden and expensive to address.
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and solar rough-in: confirm all systems are inspected and any issues resolved before drywall is closed
This is also when conduit for EV charging, battery pre-wire, low-voltage, and home automation gets installed. Decisions made now are costly to add later.
Document any deviation from the approved drawings in writing before authorizing the builder to proceedWatch for
Field decisions made verbally and without a change order create disputes at project closeout. Everything that changes the approved scope should be in writing.
The final walkthrough is your opportunity to confirm that everything was delivered as agreed. Take your time. A thorough review here protects you long after the builder leaves the site.
Finishes & Systems
Confirm all interior and exterior finishes match approved selections — stucco, roofing, flooring, cabinetry, tile, fixtures
Walk every room for deficiencies: incomplete paint, damaged trim, gaps at transitions, hardware that doesn't operate correctly
Watch the builder operate all mechanical and electrical systems live: HVAC, plumbing, electrical panel, solar PV, battery storage, EV charging, automation
Do not accept handoff without a live demonstration of every system — including the solar inverter monitoring app, any battery system, and any smart home features.
Inspect the exterior stucco, roofing, and flashing for any visible deficiencies, and confirm exterior caulking and weep-screed details are complete
Documentation
Receive the final building inspection sign-offs and Certificate of Occupancy (or Temporary CofO if applicable) before moving in
Receive all equipment manuals, warranty documents, and maintenance instructions, including HVAC, water heater, appliances, and solar/battery system documentation
Confirm any outstanding punch list items are documented in writing with a committed completion date before releasing final payment
Do not release the full final payment until unconditional lien releases are received from the builder and all subcontractors and material suppliersWatch for
Under California's mechanics lien law, subs and suppliers retain lien rights against your property until properly waived. Conditional waivers should accompany each draw; unconditional waivers should be received at final payment. Retention is typically held until the lien period expires.
Confirm your warranty registration is complete and you have received your warranty documentation package, including any third-party warranty policy