Custom Home Builder in Crestview Florida

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Custom Home Builder vs. Production Home Builder



Once you have made the decision to build a new home, the next decision should be whether you will build with a custom home builder or with a production home builder. While both have a lot to offer you, the buyer, there are distinct differences between the two that you should be aware of before making your decision.  Here are some of the major differences.

Custom Home Builder
  • A custom home builder will typically build a house on a piece of land that you already own, or that you will purchase.  Usually a custom builder will also build on land that they own as well.
  • With a custom builder you can design your own floor plan and be as involved or not involved in the process.  If you want full say, you can usually sit down with the architect and design a floor plan based on all your needs.  Sometimes custom builders will also have a set of stock floor plans to choose from that you can slightly modify as well.
  • Custom home builders are usually smaller more intimate companies, meaning you will get more one-on-one time with the builder.  You will also have more input in the day to day construction of the home.
  • A custom home building company usually builds a higher quality of home.  Custom home builders are known for being just that, custom.  That being said, they are held to a higher standard for quality of construction.

Production Builder
  • When you build with a production builder, you are limited to the land that they already own.  A production builder usually has a list of subdivisions that they build in, and a handful of lots in each subdivision that they own.
  • A production home builder has a stock set of plans to choose from.  Depending on the size of the builder, this can range anywhere from 20 plans and up.  Most production home builders will not let you make structural changes to the existing floor plans that they use, meaning you cannot move walls, add bathrooms, or change the look of the elevation of the home.
  • Production builders usually build several homes a year.  This means that each construction manager may be supervising 5-10 houses at a time, and will have to split his time evenly between each home.
  • With a production builder, they usually have different price point homes depending on the subdivision you build in.  Most have a starter subdivision that showcases their lowest level home, a few mid level subdivisions that are average homes for the area, and a couple higher level subdivisions which will have their luxury home choices.

 

Whether you choose to build with a custom home builder or a production home builder, make sure you do your research up front. Make sure that you can make any and all changes that you need to make the house suitable to your needs.  Preview the design center, if the builder has one, to see what options are available to you.  If you are going with a custom home builder, generally they will have showrooms they can send you to in order to make product selections.  Ask your construction manager how many homes he is currently building, so you know how much time he will be able to dedicate to you.  And most of all, make it an enjoyable experience.  A home is one of the largest purchases you will ever make, so you should have fun doing it!