Production, custom or in between? The answer depends on your priorities.
If you have done any research into new homes, you're likely familiar with the three categories of homes and builders: production, semi-custom and custom. Which one you choose will depend on your budget and your priorities--and each type may appeal to the same people at different points in their lives.
Production
If you have lived in a "tract home", it was built by a production builder. The company built it and similar homes over and over, in what amounted to an outdoor factory. The repeatability of this approach lets production builders systematically shave time from the process, while the volume of homes they build qualifies them for bulk material discounts. Production homes also tend to be built on relatively inexpensive land. These cost savings make the production home more affordable than a custom home of similar size.
The tradeoff is that you get a cookie-cutter home. It's like buying a car: you can choose a color and opt for a sunroof, but the basic model doesn't change. Most production builders limit the buyer to a menu of very few predefined options--four carpet types, three cabinet styles, six fixture lines and so on--arranged in good, better and best tiers.
The production model is for those who would rather buy than build. It's popular among people who want a new home but don't need something unique and don't have time to think through a lot of choices, such as young families with two working parents. Location is another factor to consider. The majority of production homes are built in suburban master-planned communities.
Semi-custom: Somewhat Different
Some people don't want a cookie-cutter home but also don't want to start with a blank canvas. They may also prefer to build on their own plot of land in town. This is the person who says, "I like that floor plan, but it's not exactly what I want." Some semi-custom builders offer these clients a portfolio of floor plans that can be slightly modified to a greater degree than the production home. Others (namely Cason Graye Homes), may even offer the opportunity to completely design a new, unique floor plan to best suit your needs and fit most appropriately on your lot. To some, this idea (designing a new floor plan) may seem intimidating or time consuming. Check with your preferred builder to learn more about how this can be achieved in an efficient manner.
When comparing semi-custom builders, it is important to find out what separates them from their competitors. One major difference customers will find is how the design choices, changes and upgrades are priced and what is "allowed". Don't forget, you are building a semi-CUSTOM home. This doesn't mean you should have to pay two or three times the actual cost when you want to switch to hardwood floors or add a Thermador or Sub/Wolf appliance package. Find out if their program's emphasis is on the "semi" or the "custom".
Multiple design options make the semi-custom home more expensive than an equally sized production home and require a bit more homeowner involvement. Semi-custom homes are popular with families moving up the income ladder, as well as with retirees who want to sell their custom home and downsize. This process is also attractive for those families who may not have time to build a custom home.
Custom: One-of-a-kind
The custom homebuilder works with homeowners to create a home that perfectly serves their particular wants and needs. The homeowners might want a certain architectural style or specific features. Or they might not. These are people who, simply put, want what they want and no substitutes exist.
The custom home's status as a unique reflection of its owners makes it more complex than the production or semi-custom home in design, product selection and construction. While every homeowner should have a budget, the custom home building process lends itself to being more expensive.
Custom builders excel at imagining and creating something unique with each home. And because these projects involve so much interaction with homeowners, the most successful builders have a company culture that revolves around customer service and customer satisfaction. Not only that, professional builders have systems, organization and subcontractor and supplier relationships in place to efficiently and cost-effectively guide their customers through a complex building project. In fact, it's a huge part of their success.