Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, October 6, 2023

What type of new homebuilder should you hire? It all depends




Choosing to build the home of your dreams can be an overwhelming task that involves decisions ranging from where to build to the layout and type of home you desire.

Selecting the right builder for your home is paramount to making the process go smoothly.

To help you decide on the builder that works for you, here’s a brief explanation of the types of homebuilders and some of the differences in working with each.

Custom homebuilders

A custom home is generally a single-family home built to a buyer’s specifications on land the buyer owns. With a custom home, you’ll be starting with a new design, so you must make many decisions, from the floor plan type to the final finishes.

Therefore, you’ll have to work closely with the builder and architect to design and construct a home with all your desired features and elements. A custom home is truly one-of-a-kind and won’t look like any other house in the neighborhood.

Given the number of decisions you’ll make related to crafting your dream house, it could take longer to build and be costly. However, a key benefit of working with a custom homebuilder is that you can make alterations during the building process, although that might increase the overall price of the home.

Semi-custom homebuilders

A semi-custom home is constructed based on existing blueprints and can be built on the builders’ land or land you own.

As a semi-custom homebuyer, you can review the plans before construction and conform them to your personal preferences. However, unlike a custom home, once construction begins, there is less flexibility to make changes.

Since the house is not being designed from scratch, it often costs less and is completed in a faster timeframe than an entire custom home.

Production homebuilders

Production homes are built in developments on land the builder owns and there will likely be multiple homes in the neighborhood that look similar.

Production builders use standard plans, but often offer a variety of plan choices and options, such as different floor plans and elevations. You can choose from various feature options, from cabinets to countertops, which might or might not increase the base home price.

In general, production homes are built in a fast timeframe since the builder has already obtained the necessary permits for the plans. However, alterations to structural elements, such as the foundation walls, will require reengineering the plans and resubmitting them for new permits, which could lengthen the completion date.

For more information to help you design your dream home, including a list of local professional builders, visit hbagc.net.