Today we wanted to take a bit of a closer look at the type of custom home builders from which there are to choose. By this, we mean are you building a truly unique custom home or are you choosing a home in a development where you can customize some options? And yes, there are significant differences.
What Is a Custom Home Builder?
What we often see in today’s market are home buyers that are buying into a specific development early, which enables them to customize their home, but this is not truly a custom home. We are not trying to discredit or downplay the benefits of being able to do this, as some of these homes are very beautiful, but they are meant to complement each other in the development. These types of builders are often called production home builders.
You may be able to customize some of your indoor features, such as appliances and specific types of moldings or windows, and you will probably have your choice of one of a handful of outside designs, but that is where your options end. For the most part, these are predesigned homes that you can tinker with. Now, this can still require a residential construction project manager, as there will still be a lot of back and forth with the general contractor (GC).
Having said that, a lot of the headaches that go from a fully custom home are not included, such as permitting, land purchase, hiring contractors, bidding, etc. The company that is developing the area will take care of all that, only needing your final approval on the add-ons for the plan.
A fully custom home builder generally does not build the same floor plan twice. Sure, there may be some similarities in homes when people “borrow” ideas from previous projects, but these homes are truly unique and stand alone. Now, while that has its aesthetic appeal, as we mentioned above, there are some challenges that come along with that which are not included when you buy into a new development.
If neither of these options is whetting your whistle, you may want to consider a semi-custom home builder. These builders allow you to choose from a portfolio of designs. The design itself does not change, but you can change out some options that allow you to personalize the home to the point. They are more along the line of a production home builder, but the designs they offer will not be as widespread as you will see in these development communities where every second, third, or fourth home looks identical to yours from the outside.
Still overwhelmed by the process? You may want to consider a residential construction consultant to help narrow down the options and help you throughout the building process. Give Better Build Now a call to see if we can help. Call us at 888-402-4180 for your free consultation today!