Carolina Farms & Estates
Selling Your Property is More than our Profession...It's Our Passion
PHONE:  (803) 242-8953
1830 Hands Mill Hwy, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Carolina Farms & Estates

Selling and Listing land and homes in South Carolina and North Carolina. Specializing in large tracts of land and homes with land.

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Custom Home Builder vs. Production Home Builder - What's the Difference?

Custom Home Builder vs. Production Home Builder

Finding a Builder that is right for you.

Q. What is the difference between a custom builder and a production builder?

A. A custom builder typically creates a one-of-a-kind home that is built on your lot, and offers a wide range of design choices throughout the entire building process. A production builder typically builds a community of homes on lots that the builder owns. The homes are based on the builders own library of floor plans, each with a limited number of personalization options for the buyer to choose from.

Q. Which type of builder is right for you?

A. If you are looking for a builder to build a home on your own lot with your own set of plans -or a builders set of plans- and you want to be involved in the decision making throughout the building process, then a custom home builder is right for you. A custom builder typically will charge a higher dollar amount and the home can take anywhere from 3 months to a year and beyond. Before the building process begins, the builder and homeowner will sign a construction contract that shows the cost allowances for the entire home construction. The custom home builder will usually meet with the homeowner on a consistent basis and give them the option to make changes along the way -but will pass the additional expense along to the buyer. This process can typically add an additional 20% cost to the original construction contract price.

If you are looking for a more economical way of purchasing a new home, then a production home builder might be right for you. A production builder can usually charge less due to the lower material cost created by the higher volume of the same type of building materials used. The production builder builds on his/her own lot with their own set of plans, and the building process can take anywhere from 3 months to 5+ months (depending on weather). Typically the buyer will not be able to make any changes to the plan and does not have the option to make changes as the home is under construction. In most cases, the buyer will be able to make color choices once the home is framed and dry-walled. The builder and buyer will most likely sign a home purchase contract with an established price that does not allow for additional changes or upgrades after the contract is signed.

Q. What type of builder is TanRick, LLC and Hidden Acre Homes, LLC?

A. Both builders fall into the category of a production home builder. Both builders construct homes on their own land, use their own set of plans, and typically do not allow for any deviation from the plan. Both builders will allow the buyer to follow along with the building process, but will not allow the buyer to make any changes during the construction phase. This allows the builder to pass the high volume construction savings along to the buyer. Both builders realize this is an exciting time for the buyer, but for safety reasons the buyer is asked to stay away from the construction site during the footer, framing and drywall phase. After the drywall phase, the buyer will be asked to make some personal color choices -as long as the home is under contract before the color choice decision needs to be made. Once materials are ordered and placed in the home, the buyer can no longer make a change. As soon as the home is under contract, someone from the office will sit down with the buyer and help in the color-choice decision-making process. This is an exciting time and allows for the buyer to visualize what their home will look like once it is completed.