If you prefer building a new home to buying a pre-owned one, your next decision is builder-grade or custom-built. If you’re uncertain which one is right for your family, read on as we lay down the pros and cons of each type of new home construction.
Builder-Grade Homes: Affordable and Practical
The term “builder-grade” describes the standard materials used in home construction, chosen for their functionality and cost-effectiveness. While these materials get the job done and offer affordability, they often lack more custom options’ long-lasting durability and visual appeal. Builder-grade finishes are basic and straightforward, making them a common choice for mass-produced homes, sometimes known as “cookie-cutter” and often found in developments. Contractors looking to offer new home construction to a broader audience construct builder-grade homes. With their cost-effective nature, builder-grade homes are a solid foundation for future upgrades or personal touches, making them a wise investment for many homeowners.
What are the pros of builder-grade homes?
- Affordability
- Faster construction timelines
- Fewer homeowner decisions/choices
- Some builders offer customization options
What are the cons of builder-grade homes?
- Less personalization and individuality
- Limited flexibility in design, layout, and customization
- Some finishes or builder-grade materials may not be as durable as their custom-built counterparts
Custom-Built Homes: Lifestyle and Luxury
A custom-built home is a fully personalized residence designed to meet the specific tastes and needs of the homeowner. Custom or “design-grade” homes offer a high-end experience with many luxurious options. From premium materials to high-quality finishes and unique architectural features, custom homes allow for complete creative control over every detail. Homeowners can choose everything from the layout and design to the types of flooring, cabinetry, and fixtures, ensuring that their home reflects their style. With endless possibilities for customization, these homes provide unparalleled luxury and craftsmanship, making them an ideal choice for those seeking a unique living space.
What are the pros of custom-built homes?
- Control over design, layout, and materials
- High-quality materials and finishes
- One-of-a-kind home
- Showcases lifestyle, luxury, and convenience
What are the cons of custom-built homes?
- Higher cost
- Longer construction timeline
- A decision-heavy option for the homeowner
Weighing Your Options: Builder-Grade or Custom-Built?
The Price
The price tag is one of the most significant differences between these new home construction options. Materials are not the only factor at play. Custom-builts may require specialized labor based on your design, layout, and finish preferences. The length of custom projects typically extends well beyond builder-grade timeframes, also increasing the total cost. The project’s expense should be your first consideration and will likely be the tie-breaking detail.
Timeline
Builder-grade homes are constructed within a predictable timeframe because they are mass-produced, with standardized designs and materials that allow for a more streamlined and efficient building process. This approach ensures the construction timeline is consistent and typically faster than a custom-built residence. As previously mentioned, due to their intricate design details, custom homes have a more extended timeframe for completion. Do you have the time to hold out for a custom-built home?
Unique or Standard Design
Sinatra belting out, “I did it my way,” comes to mind with this third consideration. Custom-built homes are designed specifically to the homebuyers’ needs. Imagine having everything exactly where you want it. Design flexibility is another important factor in custom homes that offer endless options for tailoring every detail to your tastes. You can avoid custom decision-making burnout by vetting a few design-builders. Find the one that aligns with your personality and thought process and who is equipped with the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process.
Steve Jobs chose to wear a black turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers every day of his life to avoid decision fatigue. If you want a new home to minimize the need for repairs and upgrades that come with a pre-owned home but planning out each element overwhelms you or doesn’t excite you, then the standard design of builder-grade could be your best bet.
Builder-Grade or Custom-Built: Ideal Candidates for Both Scenarios
Ideal candidates for builder-grade homes could be first-time homebuyers on a budget or those who want a ready-to-move-in home. If you desire a fresh, new home look without the multitude of decisions that come with a custom-built, then builder grade is a good match. There may be specific neighborhoods or communities that you’re interested in that could push you in the builder-grade direction.
Custom may be the choice for those looking to project a particular lifestyle or those with definite ideas about living space requirements. You can realize your dream home and build a truly unique space for you and your family if you have the time and money to invest in a custom-built project and the patience and decision-making fortitude to see it through.
DeSimone’s Role as a Design-Build Firm
DeSimone Design Build Construction Management certainly sees the value in builder-grade homes. We, however, are custom design builders, and we do everything in our power to guide our clients through build preparation, pre-construction, ground-breaking, construction, and the post-construction process. We boast decades of success in project management and utilize technology to streamline residential projects.
As a design-build company, we handle all aspects of a project from beginning concept to construction completion through our long-standing partnerships with some of the industry’s best design, construction, and specialty service vendors. We rely on these partnerships to contract out various aspects of a build. Design builders manage entire contracts, so clients don’t have to vet and schedule multiple contractors for their build. At DeSimone, we tackle it all under one roof and are the single point of responsibility for the project.
We start the process by getting a crystal-clear idea of the client’s needs and desires and compiling a design, build, and management team to make it happen. We lay out as much detail as possible to create a thorough scope of work with carefully determined estimates to get us as close to the final cost of a project as we possibly can. No one likes financial surprises at the end of a build, and we try to avoid those kinds of upsets by being detailed in our projections.
Enjoy the Process!
Whether you choose a builder-grade home for its efficiency or custom-built for personalization, both satisfy a home buyer’s particular need. We respect your choice and look forward to the opportunity to work with you when you’re ready.
