If you’re looking at buying or building a new home, you’re probably wondering – what is a custom home? In addition to common questions like “How long does it take to build a custom home?” and “Are custom-built homes more expensive?” you may be curious about how custom houses differ from other options.
In this article, we’ll answer the question of what is a custom home and explain how custom houses compare to other home-building and buying options. Plus, we’ll share the benefits and drawbacks of building a custom house and insightful tips to help you decide if a custom-built house is right for you.
What is a custom home truly about, and what should you know before building one? Here’s the crucial information you need.
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What is a custom home, exactly?
A custom home is a one-of-a-kind house designed to fulfill the requirements and preferences of a particular client and location.
When building a custom house in Vancouver, clients work directly with a custom home builder and their designers and architects. Together, they develop a personalized design. During this process, homeowners have nearly complete control over every aspect of the layout, design, features and finishes.
Think a custom house is right for you? If so, you’ll want to hire the best custom home builder in Vancouver. But how do you find the best builder? Here are some tips – How to Choose a Home Builder.
Before we examine the pros and cons of building a custom home, let’s consider the alternatives.
What is a Custom Home Alternative?
If you want to buy or build a new house, a custom home isn’t your only option. Here are some alternatives you might consider.
- Spec home
- Production home (or tract home)
- Semi-custom home
Which option is right for you and your family? You’re already familiar with what is a custom home, so let’s take a closer look at these alternatives.
What is a spec home?
A spec home (or speculative home) is a pre-built house that is move-in ready.
With spec homes, builders construct the house according to what they “speculate” buyers are looking for. Typically, this means building a home based on current market trends.
Custom vs Spec Home
Spec homes offer a quicker move-in timeline than custom houses. However, customization options are extremely limited (if available at all). Thus, a spec home is the opposite of a custom home. That said, if you don’t have the time or interest in building a unique, personalized house, a spec home may be right for you!
What is a production home (or tract home)?
A production home (or tract home) is a house built by a developer in a large-scale housing development or subdivision.
Like a spec home, developers design and build these homes based on current layout and design trends. The goal is to construct a dwelling that is appealing to various home buyers.
Custom Home vs Production Home
Typically, tract home developers offer buyers a few different standard designs and floor plans to choose from. Buyers may also have some choice when it comes to finishes. However, customization options are generally quite limited (especially compared to a custom-built home).
Like spec homes, production homes are a good option for people who want to move into their new home quickly and don’t want to be involved in the construction process.
Now that we’ve explored what is a custom home, spec home and production home, let’s discuss semi-custom houses – the closest alternative to a fully custom house.
What is a semi-custom home?
A semi-custom home is a house that isn’t fully customized but offers more personalization and flexibility than spec or production homes. In essence, a semi-custom house is the middle ground between a fully custom house and a spec or tract home.
Custom vs Semi-Custom Home
Typically, with a semi-custom house, the buyer chooses a pre-designed floor plan and then customizes exterior and interior finishes. The homeowner may also be able to make minor layout adjustments. Therefore, a semi-custom home offers more personalization than a production or tract home but isn’t fully customizable like a custom house.
For those looking for partial personalization, a semi-custom house may be a good alternative to a custom-built home.
What is a Custom Home vs Spec Home vs Production Home vs Semi-Custom Home
In the table below, our home-building experts compare building and buying options to help you identify key similarities and differences.
| Home-Building Aspect | Custom Home | Spec Home | Production (or Tract) Home | Semi-Custom Home |
| Layout & Architectural Design | Unlimited options – designed specifically for homeowner | Pre-built – no options | Limited to pre-designed layout and design options | Limited to pre-designed layout options, with some possibility for alterations |
| Finishes | Ability to select all finishes | Pre-built – no options | Limited to a pre-determined set of options | Ability to choose interior and exterior finishes |
| Customization | Completely customizable | Little to no customization | Moderate customization (i.e., some pre-set options available) | High level of customization (but not completely customizable) |
| Design Flexibility | Completely flexible | No flexibility | Limited flexibility (restricted to pre-set designs) | Flexible but may be limited to pre-set options |
| Timeline | Longest | Shortest (move-in ready) | Dependent on construction phase (often short to moderate) | Moderate to long |
| Cost | Highest | Lowest | Moderate | Moderate to high |
| Homeowner’s Involvement in Building Process | High | Low | Low to moderate | Moderate to high |
| Uniqueness | One-of-a-kind | Standard | Relatively standard | Moderately unique |
| Land | Homeowner must acquire land | Land selected by the builder | Land selected by builder | Builder or homeowner may acquire land |
| Stress Level | High | Low | Low to Moderate | Moderate to High |
So, is a custom-built home worth it? Let’s examine the pros and cons of building a custom house to help you decide.
Is building a custom home worth it? Pros and Cons to Consider
Our discussion about what is a custom home wouldn’t be complete without exploring the pros and cons of this endeavour. So, here are some of the most significant benefits and challenges to consider.
Benefits of Building a Custom Home
Building a custom house has many benefits, including:
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Complete customization – with a custom house, you can completely customize every aspect, including the layout, design, features, and finishes. As a result, your home will be perfectly tailored to your lifestyle, needs, and preferences.
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Unique, one-of-a-kind home – building a custom home means your house will be unlike any other!
- Flexibility – working with a custom builder allows you to make changes and adjustments throughout the home building process. This is a definite benefit of building a custom house. But it’s important to remember that changes can be costly, especially late in the construction process.
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High-quality building materials – with a custom-built home, homeowners can select high-quality building materials that meet their durability, sustainability, and aesthetic standards.
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Attention to detail and quality craftsmanship – when building a custom house in Vancouver, you’ll have a wide selection of qualified home builders to choose from. Selecting a top builder, like Hasler Homes, will guarantee exceptional craftsmanship and the utmost attention to detail.
- Built to last – working with an experienced custom home builder and using high-quality materials will ensure your new home requires few repairs and lasts for years.
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Green building practices and energy-efficient features – constructing a custom house lets you incorporate the latest green building practices and technologies. For example, you may choose to work with a sustainable home builder and use eco-friendly building materials to reduce your environmental footprint. Doing so will help you meet (and exceed) local efficiency regulations and reduce your long-term energy costs.
- Budget control – building a custom house may cost more than buying a pre-built house, but it does allow you to have more control over your budget. Working with a custom home builder that offers complete transparency will help you understand where your money is going. As a result, you’ll be able to prioritize your budget based on essential needs and preferences.
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Build on land you already own – if you already own land you want to build on, that’s a bonus! Land can be very expensive, especially in Vancouver, so this can help you eliminate a significant cost.
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Future proof – with the ability to design your new home exactly how you want it, you can plan for the future. For instance, you might consider integrating aging in place features or flexible spaces that can evolve with your family’s needs.
- Increased resale value – custom built homes often have a higher resale value thanks to quality construction and unique features and details. You can ensure your home will get the highest resale price possible by incorporating aspects known to improve resale value (e.g., smart features, additional suites, etc.).
Cons of Custom-Built Homes
Building a custom home also comes with challenges.
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Timeline – the move-in timeline for a custom house is significantly longer than a spec or tract home (which are often move-in ready). In addition to usual permitting and building delays, design changes can also lengthen your timeline.
How long does it take to build a custom home? The truth is – it depends. Your timeline will depend on the size, location, design and details, materials you use, and the home builder you work with.
That said, here’s a typical timeline provided by our project managers:- 3 to 6 weeks to hire a builder
- 2 to 4 months for design and planning
- 4 to 6 months for permits
- 12 to 18 months to construct a custom house in Vancouver
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Cost – as you likely noted in our discussion about what is a custom home, custom-built houses are generally more expensive upfront than pre-built homes. As well, unexpected issues or changes during the building process can lead to additional expenses.
- Stress – building a custom house involves numerous steps and many decisions. For some, this can be overwhelming, not to mention time-consuming.
This is where hiring a professional and experienced home builder is key! To reduce your stress as much as possible, choose a home builder with experienced project managers who communicate clearly in a style that works for you. The best custom home builders in Vancouver provide expert guidance to help you make decisions and solve challenges that come up along the way.
Still not sure if building a custom house is worth it for you? Let’s discuss some personal factors that can help you decide.
How to Decide If Building a Custom Home is Right for You
If you’re familiar with what is a custom home and the benefits custom-built homes can offer but are still unsure if a custom house is suitable for you, here are some questions to ask yourself.
Do you have a vision for your home?
If you have a vision for your home and want to be involved in bringing that vision to life, then building a custom house is your best option.
Do you want to be involved in the decision-making and building process?
Not everyone is interested in being involved in the home-building process. If you want a say in nearly every aspect of the design and development of your home, then building a custom home is the right choice.
Do you have the time?
Building a custom house takes time. Not only will your move-in timeline be much longer than with a production or spec home, but the design and development aspects will require you to sacrifice personal time. If time is of the essence, then building a custom home may not be the right choice.
Do you already own land?
If you already own land in the perfect neighbourhood, building a custom house is the logical choice for creating an ideal home in your ideal location.
Ready to start your home-building journey, now that you know what is a custom home, the pros and cons of building a custom house, and the alternative options? If so, here’s some expert advice to help you along the way – Custom Home Building Tips.
Ready to Build Your Dream Home? Hasler Homes is Here to Help
At Hasler Homes, we aim to make your home-building experience enjoyable and stress-free.
When you partner with Hasler Homes, you can count on high-performance construction and a team of experts who have your back. Our experienced architects, designers, project managers and home builders will be there to answer your questions and help you make important decisions every step of the way – so you can build the functional and elegant home of your dreams!
Contact us today for a free custom home quote.
