Choosing a the Right Home Builder Style

After you’ve made the decision to build a new home the style of your home builder must be determined. Depending on your area the names and definitions of these styles of builders may be slightly different however the main points will be pretty similar. While most home builders will fall more or less into one of the categories below be aware that there will be niche builders in all categories. For example you may find a volume builder dedicated to green building practices, or a custom home builder specializing in homes over 8,000 square feet. Overall there are four main styles of home building.

Volume or Production Builder

A volume or big builder is one that often builds hundreds or thousands of homes per year either on a regional scale or nationwide. A typical scenario is the production builder will buy a large parcel of land, develop that land (put in place roads, services, amenities and so on), divide that land into saleable lots and build homes on those lots. The size of the home sites, homes and the price points will vary depending on location and the demographics of that area.

Semi-Custom or Track Builder

A track or semi-custom builder is in some ways similar to a volume builder however on a much smaller scale. Many will have several standard floor plans they offer on lots they own or they may build their plan on a home site you already own. Typically a home owner will have far more flexibility and options when it comes to the building of the home compared to a volume builder. Most semi-custom builders will offer their floor plans on their lots and some may also build their floor plans on land you own as well.

Custom Home builder

A custom home builder is one that builds a unique home for a specific client on a particular home site. Most often a custom home builder will build a home on land that you own rather than offering you a choice of lots in a planned community like a volume builder. If you’ve already got a home site you’ll probably be looking for the services of a custom home builder. Due to the nature of the one of a kind homes that this builder produces they typically will build a small number of homes per year, often less than 10. Typically you would have your own home site and your own floor plans drawn up by an architect or home designer. Custom home builders will, on occasion, build a home on speculation as well.

Building a Home Yourself (aka Acting as your own general contractor)

Many people looking to build a home consider acting as their own general contractor. The general feeling is that it’s not all that difficult and can save you some money on the project, perhaps 10% to 20%. The impression that some get is the general contractor shows up on a job site, looks around for an hour and leaves. Just what does that general contractor do anyway? Seems the other guys do all the work! What is not understood is the hours spent scheduling and negotiating, the understanding of the structural and acetic needs of a home, knowledge of which subcontractors to use for which jobs, the permitting and inspection process, ensuring that all insurance, workers compensation and licensing is in place for all suppliers and subcontractors (an uninsured worker being injured on a job can be financially devastating to the home owner). In most areas a land owner has the right to act as their own general contractor and completing a home can be a very satisfying experience. Check with your local town or county office to see the rules and regulations in your area.

No matter which style of home builder you choose the process will follow generally the same steps. The major differences will be the degree to which you can customize your home and the amount of involvement you’ll have along the way. The home building process can be very stressful and will typically take many months from start to completion. Be sure to employ a builder with whom you are comfortable, have confidence in and can deal with for many months! Best of luck!