Looking for a builder for a VA construction loan? Explore builders in the states SAM serves, or bring your own builder for review. If you own land or plan to buy land soon, start with the map and state guides. Builder acceptance, project approval and borrower qualification are separate reviews.
Short answer: the VA no longer issues builder IDs or publishes a list of approved builders. It rescinded the Builder ID requirement in March 2025 (VA Circular 26-25-1). Today a “VA-approved builder” is a licensed builder that has been accepted through the lender’s builder review: a contractor questionnaire, a line-item budget, a VA builder attestation, builder’s risk insurance and a 1-year VA warranty. Security America Mortgage keeps builder directories for the 10 states where we lend, and we can review a builder you already have in mind.
Don’t see your builder? Start with our VA construction loan guide or call (855) 701-2816 and we’ll walk your builder through the review.
Quick answer: A VA-approved builder is a builder your lender has reviewed and accepted for your VA construction loan, typically including license (where required), insurance and experience checks. Since VA Circular 26-25-1, a VA Builder ID is no longer required for ordinary VA new construction, so the lender’s builder review is what matters. Security America Mortgage reviews builders in every state we lend in, and you can submit your own builder for review. Start with our VA construction loan guide or call (855) 701-2816.
A VA-approved builder on this page means a builder accepted by the lender for your VA construction project. You may propose your own builder for review. Builder acceptance, project approval and your loan qualification are separate reviews.
For ordinary VA-guaranteed new and proposed construction, a VA Builder ID is no longer required. State and local licensing requirements still apply, along with lender requirements. See VA Circular 26-25-1.
Before committing to a builder or parcel, prepare these details for Security America Mortgage:
Request a VA construction financing review. For the financing process, see our VA One-Time Close guide; for property questions, use the land and acreage checklist. Builder review does not guarantee loan approval.
A VA-approved builder, as the term is used here, is a builder accepted by your lender for your VA construction project. The lender reviews the builder, plans, contract and budget.
For ordinary VA-guaranteed new and proposed construction, VA removed its Builder Identification Number requirement effective March 31, 2025. Builders must still meet applicable state and local licensing requirements and the lender’s requirements. See VA Circular 26-25-1.
This change does not remove the separate Builder ID requirements for Specially Adapted Housing grants or Native American Direct Loans.
Answers from Jason Noble, COO and VA Loan Specialist, Security America Mortgage, NMLS #352672, first published October 23, 2026, updated October 24, 2026 and lightly edited for clarity.
Jason: “I have personally closed VA OTCs with Vintage Luxury Builders, BB Pro Services, and CastleRock.” These are examples of Jason’s reported completed OTC lending experience. They do not guarantee acceptance of a builder’s next project, availability in every location, or approval of any borrower.
For Texas research, use the Texas builder directory and Texas builder comparison guide. A directory listing is not evidence that Jason has closed an OTC loan with every listed builder.
Jason’s confirmation: SAM has not completed VA One-Time Close construction loans with the following ten named builders: Perry, Highland, David Weekley, Tilson, Coventry, Ashton Woods, Taylor Morrison, Toll Brothers, Meritage and D.R. Horton. SAM’s VA purchase-loan closing history with these builders has not been confirmed here.
A listing in the comparison guide does not establish a completed SAM OTC transaction or participation in SAM’s construction draw process. SAM has no completed OTC experience to substantiate for these ten builders, including Ashton Woods, Perry and Highland. Jason’s separate completed-loan examples above concern Vintage Luxury, BB Pro and CastleRock.
Jason confirms: “Yes, Tilson is an approved builder.” This is SAM-confirmed builder acceptance. It does not establish a prior SAM OTC closing with Tilson, a formal partnership, a VA endorsement or automatic approval of your project. Confirm the actual contracting entity, location, proposed contract and current project acceptance with SAM before committing. Build-on-your-land services alone do not establish acceptance of a particular financing structure.
Jason’s answer: The builder supplies a contractor application and supporting documents. SAM checks business credit, references, project history, insurance and the licensing required in the state. SAM coordinates contractor review and a separate project review. The contractor package covers business details, experience, references, applicable licensing, insurance and required supporting documentation. The project package includes complete plans and elevations, an executed construction agreement, an itemized budget matching the contract, appraisal, prepaid-expense documentation, and applicable permit, engineering and site reports. The particular borrower and property must also qualify. Changes to the contract or budget may require renewed review.
This is lender acceptance, not an endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA’s removal of the Builder ID procedure does not remove lender or applicable local requirements.
Jason clarifies that a completed home does not need a construction loan for its purchase. Confirm whether you will obtain a VA purchase loan on a completed home or close a VA One-Time Close loan before construction. Jason explains that SAM reviews the contractor and discusses construction-program requirements before contracting. Ask SAM to review the proposed arrangement, warranty requirements, budget and any deposit before committing.
Read Jason’s answers about site-development costs, upfront expenses and changes after closing, or his site-plan and drainage-easement example.
Request a builder and construction-project review. Tell SAM your property state, land ownership or purchase status, proposed builder, plans, budget and intended start date.
Start with your property state and the work you need: building a new home or renovating an existing home. A contractor who remodels homes may not offer new-home construction, and a home builder may not take renovation projects. Ask about local availability, comparable completed projects, required licensing and insurance, and willingness to complete your lender’s review.
For ordinary VA-guaranteed new construction, “VA-approved construction contractor” describes lender acceptance for the proposed project; it is not a VA endorsement or a guarantee that every project qualifies. SAM reviews the contractor and the particular loan and project separately. See VA Circular 26-25-1 for the removal of the Builder ID requirement for ordinary new and proposed construction.
If you own land or plan to buy land and build a new home, start with our VA One-Time Close construction loan guide and landowner financing checklist. For remodeling, rehabilitation or renovation of an existing eligible home, use our VA renovation loan guide. Contractor acceptance and eligible work depend on the selected loan program and project.
Request a project review with your property state, whether you own the land or home, intended work, budget and target start date. If you have not selected a builder or contractor, tell us so we can discuss the next steps.
VA construction loans follow strict guidelines designed to protect veterans and ensure homes are built safely, correctly, and on schedule.
Builders who are already VA-approved:
Understand VA construction requirements
Know the documentation needed at each stage
Work efficiently with VA lenders and inspectors
Help prevent avoidable delays during underwriting and construction
Builder approval is not a formality, it plays a direct role in how smoothly your loan and build progress.
Choosing a VA-approved builder offers clear advantages throughout the construction loan process.
Builders already accepted by the lender may have current documentation on file, reducing repeat requests during the underwriting review.
Fewer documentation delays can help your construction loan move toward the start of building.
Builders familiar with the lender’s requirements can prepare the documents needed for project review.
VA construction loans require detailed paperwork. Experienced builders can help prepare the documents required by the lender.
Complete, accurate documentation can reduce errors and help keep the project on track.
Experienced builders may have systems in place to organize and submit project documentation.
Builders experienced with VA lenders understand project timelines, inspections and draw schedules.
Coordination between the builder and lender helps avoid misunderstandings during construction.
Clear communication helps builders and lenders address questions before they cause delays.
To move forward with a VA construction loan, start by contacting a builder who serves your area and discussing your project details, timeline, and location. If the builder is available and meets lender requirements, they can be approved to work on your VA construction loan.
If the builder you want to work with is not already approved through our network, that is not a problem. Most builders do not need to complete a formal VA registration process. Instead, builder approval is handled through the lender.
In most cases, the builder will be asked to submit standard documentation, which may include:
For ordinary VA-guaranteed new construction, a builder’s eligibility is confirmed through the lender handling the VA construction loan.
The most reliable way to verify a builder is to check whether they:
Are licensed and insured to build in your project’s location
Meet VA construction standards and Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs)
Are approved or accepted by your VA construction loan lender
Have experience working with VA construction loans, inspections, and draw schedules
If you are working with a lender like Security America Mortgage, they can confirm whether a builder is already approved within their network or review the builder’s information to determine eligibility.
If additional documentation is required, the lender will guide the builder through the process. In most cases, verification is completed quickly and does not delay the project.
Your lender provides the current checklist for builder and project review. Depending on the program and project, this may include business information, applicable licensing, insurance, references, plans, the construction contract and an itemized budget.
For ordinary VA-guaranteed new construction, these documents support lender review; they are not an application for a VA Builder ID. VA removed that Builder ID requirement in March 2025. Your lender will identify any additional certifications needed for your transaction.
What surprises veterans about builder approval?
Garrett Puckett, CEO and Founder, Security America Mortgage: “Builders sometimes take a lot of time to fill out the application and provide all the documents they need to get approved. That is why it is better to start that process earlier rather than later. It is also why we created our VA-approved builder process to help speed it up: we ask the customer up front who their builder is, so we can cross-reference them with our current approved builders and start the process right away with builders who are not yet approved.”
VA construction loans give eligible veterans a way to finance a new primary residence.
Building a home lets you plan a layout that fits your lifestyle.
This can be valuable for families who need more space or specific features.
A custom home can reflect your preferences and priorities, subject to your budget and program requirements.
VA loans do not require monthly mortgage insurance, which can help reduce long-term borrowing costs.
Your loan specialist can help you understand the costs to include in your budget.
A newly built home may need fewer initial repairs, although maintenance costs vary.
Choosing the right financing structure matters for your project.
This option combines construction and permanent financing into one loan.
One closing can simplify financing and avoid the need for a second loan closing.
Ask your loan specialist to explain the rate-lock terms that apply to your project.
With two-close financing, a separate permanent mortgage pays off the interim construction loan after the home is completed.
The appropriate financing structure depends on the project and loan terms.
This structure involves two closings and may offer flexibility depending on the lender and project.
Answered by Jason Noble, COO and VA Loan Specialist, Security America Mortgage, NMLS #352672.
A builder with limited experience can be challenging; not impossible, but challenging. A builder with bad business credit can be difficult to overcome. Ask simple questions such as "How long have you been building homes under your current company?" or "Do you have a business credit score?" Also ask whether the builder has any legal or financial issues. In my experience, builders who run a good business have no issue providing information about it. When a builder pushes back on basic business information, that can be a red flag.
Jason Noble, NMLS #352672
The VA does not allow veterans to act as their own builder. A veteran can, however, shop for and find their own builder and bring that builder to us.
Jason Noble, NMLS #352672
Answers from Jason Noble, who has closed VA construction loans for more than 10 years and has 20 years of VA lending experience.
“If the veteran is buying an existing home, the builder doesn't need a VA builder ID or VA registration, but the builder will need to provide warranty information, likely a 1-, 2- and possibly 10-year warranty depending on the situation. If the veteran is doing a construction project, we at Security America Mortgage verify the builder through our application process and discuss the VA construction loan requirements with the builder before the veteran signs a contract. If the builder disagrees with part of the program, we work with the veteran and the builder to address the concern and keep the project moving forward.”
— Jason Noble, COO and VA Loan Specialist, Security America Mortgage, NMLS #352672
“Barndominiums have no restrictions outside the normal stick-built guidelines. No, the veteran cannot be their own builder.”
— Jason Noble, COO and VA Loan Specialist, Security America Mortgage, NMLS #352672
“Metal-frame barndominiums are acceptable; we do quite a bit of them. There isn't a minimum living area, but the homeowner and builder should carefully consider how the square footage compares to other homes in the area. For example, building a 1,000-square-foot home where the smallest home is 3,000 square feet could cause a challenge with the appraisal. Shops and garages get no special treatment, but make sure the local market values the shop relative to the cost of building it. You don't want to build a shop that costs $100k but only brings $50k in value. Understand the market where you are building and make sure the property conforms, or have a plan in place if the appraisal comes in below your financing cost.”
— Jason Noble, COO and VA Loan Specialist, Security America Mortgage, NMLS #352672
Use the builder map and choose your state on this page to research options. If you already have a builder, ask SAM to review the builder and project before you sign a construction contract.
Yes. You may propose your own builder for lender review. Acceptance depends on the builder, project and program requirements; ordinary VA-guaranteed new construction does not require a VA Builder ID (VA Circular 26-25-1); builders still need state and local licensing and must pass our builder approval review.
Jason Noble, COO and VA Loan Specialist, Security America Mortgage, NMLS #352672: “Communication, pricing, and process. They should thoroughly vet the builder before signing any documents.” On what builder approval reviews catch most often: “Low business credit scores and lack of building history.”
Costs depend on the builder, contract, site work and loan program. Ask SAM and your builder for an itemized budget and confirmation of any review, inspection, draw-administration or other project charges before signing. Acceptance of a builder does not guarantee a lower price or a particular total project cost.
Timing depends on the completeness of the builder application, supporting documents and proposed project. Ask SAM for a current estimate after submitting the package. Builder acceptance is separate from borrower qualification and project approval; confirm acceptance before committing to a construction contract or start date.
Contact your lender before changing builders. The replacement builder and any revised contract, budget or project documents require lender review and approval.
Garrett Puckett, CEO and Founder, Security America Mortgage: “Builders sometimes take a lot of time to fill out the application and provide all the documents they need to get approved. That is why it is better to start that process earlier rather than later. It is also why we created our VA-approved builder process to help speed it up: we ask the customer up front who their builder is, so we can cross-reference them with our current approved builders and start the process right away with builders who are not yet approved.”
Below is an interactive map of 2026 VA-approved builders who meet VA requirements and are eligible to work with Security America Mortgage. Once your VA construction loan application is submitted, you can begin selecting a builder for your project.
VA Experts
With years of experience in VA and construction financing, I help military families navigate the loan process with clarity and confidence.
From planning to closing, you’ll get a clear strategy, fast answers, and support every step of the way.
Builders can work with lenders serving veterans who want to build. Submit your information for lender review; approval depends on the builder, project and program requirements. A VA Builder ID is not required for ordinary VA-guaranteed new construction.
Free to apply. No commitment required.
Start unlocking VA construction opportunities today.
Determine how much home you can afford.
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