How about this:
Talk to some prospective builders about the quality of their work and then ask to see it. Hopefully they might have a few projects in various stages. Although the average person might not see certain things it has always seemed fairly obvious to me the quality.
Initial framing:
If I see misfired nails sticking out of joints, split wood, or repeatedly drawn guidelines with no obvious signs of a reason to keep changing measurements then it raises red flags.
Windows and doors:
During the initial install the doors and windows should work flawlessly. If there is any sticking or problems operating hardware this isn't quality installation. If a door has to be pushed to latch or seems to scrub anywhere I would be leary. If you're building along the coast then the doors and windows are most likely hurricane resistant and get tested before they arrive at the job site. Bad installation or bad framing will reflect in poor operation very quickly.
Sheetrock:
If finished and awaiting paint then it should be smooth no signs of the tape no bubbles or holes in the mud. Speaking of mud it shouldn't be all over the floor. It seems that if your slopping mud all over the floor your flying thru a job and not paying attention. I'm not saying accidents don't happen, but if this is consistently thru out the house you might just have a novice or apprentice. You're also paying for that waste.
Finishes:
Paint - Stand against the wall and look down it. The paint should be uniform with no visible blemishes of any kind. This is new construction, older homes will show some sort of blemish from patching, moisture, etc.
Wall Paper - It should be difficult if not impossible to find a seam.
Tile - If it's glass tile, can you see any bubbles or pockets behind the tiles? Is the grout unform through out? The grout should be a straight line and uniform thickness. If floor tiles are involved they should be level all the way across (keep in mind that a textured tile is a little harder to tell). Same grout standards. Also is the grout mis-colored or different colors? This means it wasn't mixed properly or long enough and will definitely give you problems down the road.
These are just the things I look for when a house is to this stage of construction. One of these being off could be the sign of a shoddy sub contractor, but more than one and the blame is squarely on the general contractor.
Again, it is amazing to me that people will literally choose a contractor based entirely on a bid. You should actually meet with, talk to, and investigate a general contractor. Afterall if it is a primary residence you will be entrusting the end product to you and your family's lives.
