While I haven't gone full custom yet, if I think about the folks that just rave about loving their custom bikes, both here (Mimi, DebW) and local people I know, they all worked with LOCAL custom builders (around here Crumpton in Austin has a terrific rep...). That is my plan once I finish putting my kids through college...... The next best thing I think is flying out for a fit/design session, but I think you need to meet and ideally go for a ride with your builder, let him observe you on your present bike, etc., be sure your philosophies mesh (i.e. don't buy a bike from someone that doesn't think TCO is a problem if you think its a problem, stuff like that).