Serving North and South Carolina

When you are having a home built, one of the biggest decisions you have to make is whether or not you want a custom builder or production builder. These two types of builders both have their good points and points that may not work for you. So, what do you choose? What do you think will be best in terms of builder choice for you?

First, the custom home builder can be a good option if you have a specific location, plan design and specifications.
A custom builder will typically do the following:

1. They will build on the site of your choosing, not limited to specific neighborhoods or developments.
2. They build custom homes from Individual Plans and Specifications to meet your requirements.
3. They build homes one piece at a time, with attention to detail and quality.
4. They primarily build Single Family Homes.
5. They typically only build a few homes per year, usually no more than 25.
6. They do not typically sell homes, Custom Home Builders provide a service.

Now, a production home builder is a builder who works more like a production line, and therefore there is not as much customizable aspects to your home through them.
A production builder will typically do the following:

1. They will build the homes on the land they own.
2. They use plans that are stock plans so you get a home similar to your neighbor, customization is usually limited to selections of fixtures and finishes.
3. They build many types of homes including single-family homes, townhouses, condos and apartment buildings, their cost efficiency comes from building the same plans multiple times, minimizing unexpected costs and delays.
4. They will typically build more than 25 homes/buildings per year.
5. They will build all types of price-level homes, from basic to luxury.
6. They sell Homes, and provide customer service to support the product.

As you can see, the difference between a custom builder and a production builder comes down typically to the style you want. Do you want more ability to choose what you want from your home, or are you fine with a cookie cutter home. Most of the houses you see in a traditional neighborhood or development are production homes that are built on land the developer owns. In the other areas, many homes are built by custom builders because customers can build the home they want where they are going to live.

Choosing the right builder for your project is a big decision. Make sure you do your research when starting the process to make sure you choose the best one to meet your requirements.

Talk with local designers, the Home Builders Association and other families in the areas that you are interested in building. Look for builders currently active in the community.

A production builder does offer the opportunity to see, touch and experience a home prior to buying, in most cases, you know what you are getting, and can evaluate if the level of service and quality meet your expectations.

Selection of A Custom Home Builder is not just about the experience and qualification, it is about a relationship. It is likely that once you begin your project, only your close family will spend more time with you than your builder. Successful Custom Home Builders understand that it is about more than just business, these professionals are involved in Family, Community and other Social activities.

In either case, take the appropriate time to educate yourself and determine the solution that best suits your family.