I'm trying to find who built my house?

Check your county property appraiser records, building permit history, and the original deed/closing documents. A local title company or the building department can often help identify the builder.

The local township office might be able to assist in their records. You will need to fill out an OPRA request for the information. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

I'm really sorry about the fire. To find out who built your house, check your county's property records or assessor's office. They sometimes list the original builder. You can also look for a permit history at your local building department, which might show the builder's name from when the house was constructed. If it's newer, the title company or your home inspector might have that info too.

First, sorry to hear about the fire. That's a tough situation. To find the original builder, start with your local building department or permit office. When a home is built, permits are pulled and filed with the municipality, and those records usually include the contractor's name. Just bring your address and they can typically look it up. Your county clerk or recorder's office is another good resource. The chain of title and deed history can sometimes point you back to the original developer or builder, especially if the home was part of a subdivision. That said, for the repairs you're describing, roofing, structural framing, electrical, and ductwork, you don't necessarily need the original builder. What you need is a licensed general contractor who can coordinate the trades and work with your insurance adjuster. Your insurance company will likely send their own estimate, but getting an independent contractor to review the scope is always smart to make sure nothing gets missed.

Best route I would think if you have exhausted obvious ones -- is go to county records and trace back the previous owners and see if you can find the original one and contact them. Many times the "builder" gets lost over time -- especially if its was a decades in the past.

After a fire, that’s an important piece of information to track down. Here are a few places you can check: • County property records • Original building permits (city/county building department) • Title documents • Tax assessor records • HOA documents (if applicable) If the home was built by a production builder, permits usually list the original contractor. For custom homes, the building department is often your best starting point. Because you’ve had structural damage involving trusses and rafters, you’ll likely want a structural engineer involved regardless of who originally built it. If you'd like help figuring out where to start in Wilmington specifically, I’m happy to point you in the right direction.

Building Department or County Assessor or Recorder

Start with your county property appraiser or auditor’s website to review ownership history and any recorded details about the original construction. Next, check the building department for permit records, which often list the builder or contractor who constructed the home. Your original deed, closing documents, or title insurance policy may also reference the builder by name. If those don’t turn anything up, a local title company or the city building department can usually help track down this information for you.

County records should have information in the past title of who the original builder was. If the home was previously listed in the MLS that information may also be discoverable in the old listing depending on your area.

Town planning department should have a record of the builder and any work done on the home. Best source

This can be tricky if the home is older. If it is a newer home, the building department or zoning at the township may have something on file, permits, etc. Also, check your title paperwork. If all that fails, if you have a copy of the original survey with the engineer on it, if they are still in business you can check with them and see if they know whom the builder is.

When researching the build of your home, the local Building Department should have the original permits and construction records on file.

Try a chain of title, maybe the builder's company info is on record

I would check with your city or county Development Services department or permits to see who originally filed for it. You could also check with the master plan or development subdivision map that was submitted for approval. Sorry to hear about your home damage. Best success to you.