Aspiring homeowners often compare Spec Home vs. Custom Home to decide which is the better path for them. Build quality, possession time, price, features, etc are some of the parameters to gauge. Below is an outline that will help you compare and contrast between the two kinds of houses to help you determine the best option.
Homes built from scratch according to the ideas, requirements, and vision of the owner are called custom homes. Be it the lot size, floor plan, design elements, interiors, or fixtures, everything is made to suit the preferences and lifestyle of the owner. In this case, architects, builders, and interior designers are directly in touch with the owner to create a specific home.
Spec is an abbreviation of speculative and therefore the term spec home stands for a house made by a builder with speculation that it will be liked by potential buyers. Such homes are made with premium quality materials and attractive designs to allure the buyer. These are ready-to-move-in homes with no buyers involved during the design and construction phase.
When comparing between Spec home vs. Custom home, the latter delivers more in terms of personalization. As the owner is involved throughout the project, everything is tailor-made by his vision of a perfect house.
Custom homes are the result of a fully concentrated effort of a team consisting of an architect, builder, interior decorator, and the owner. They all have to be on the same page to create a tailor-made house.
Owners will invest their time and money to build something solid and therefore, they can achieve the finest quality of home possible in their budget. Most importantly, supervision and monitoring of the construction process will help them keep a check on the quality of the building structure.
Owners can make changes during any stage of the home-building process. If they want to add or discard any feature, they can do so by discussing it with the professional in charge of the process. This is another benefit of going custom.
As the owners are involved in every stage of the custom home-building process, they have complete control over the planning and execution phases. This minimizes any chances of loopholes in the home-building process. As a result, you get the best home possible with your specifications and style.
Custom home building requires more involvement from the homeowner. They usually start by listing down their project requirements and specifications and routinely monitor every phase of home development to ensure everything is being built to their liking. This requires time and patience.
If you decide to add more features or upgrade certain finishes, then you may end up spending extra. As each construction phase gets completed, it is tempting to continually go grander, but it’s important to stay centered and realistic throughout the process.
Custom homes are bound to extend the deadline due to the implementation of changes during the execution process. For example, a specific material or an unavailable subcontractor can lead to delays.
Unlike readily available spec homes, tailor-made homes tend to take a considerable time to build. Going over budget and going past deadlines are a common issue with custom homes.
Spec homes are already built with features that are popular among homeowners. If one matches your tastes then you are ready to just move into the house. It is a turnkey solution for those who need to immediately settle in.
When it’s about spec homes vs. Custom homes, the former proves to be a cost-effective option. Spec homes are a vision of the builder with features that have been implemented in more than one house design. Chances of out-of-the-box functionality are quite low and therefore, you will get relevant features at a price lower than custom homes with the same features.
Spec homes offer a predetermined design, floor plan, and structure with no chances of customization.
With spec homes, you must inspect the functionality and quality of the house. There are chances of minor damages or flaws despite being a brand-new space.
The lighting, fixtures, appliances, interiors, and even paint color is chosen by the builder. If you have specific tastes and preferences, then going custom might be the better route.
Pre-built homes seldom give you a chance to upgrade or replace features. You may not be able to make major alterations to the house.
While spec homes are available at a fixed price with a signed contract, custom home costs may vary according to the changes in specification. With spec homes, you may need to spend extra for every upgrade required in the pre-built house. There could be hidden charges for certain amenities. You may need to renovate the house in the future to incorporate your specifications. This way, in some cases, spec homes prove more expensive than custom homes designed with a predetermined budget.
While small homes (1,500 to 2,750 square feet) take five months to a year to design & construct, mid-sized homes (2,800 to 4,500 square feet) take around seven to 12 months to complete and larger homes (5,000+ square feet) take 8 months to design and 14 to 18 months to construct. You need to consider if you have ample time to wait for the house then a custom home would be a dream come true. Otherwise, you can buy a spec home with the least waiting time.
Most builders offer good quality in-spec homes, but you will have no control over it. If you want exceptional quality of material, paint, cabinetry, flooring, etc. then custom homes are a preferred choice over spec homes. Here, you pay the price for everything that you want and not what is already provided to you.
There are fewer chances of design customization in spec homes. They are already built and available for sale. In the case of tailor-made homes, you can make numerous alterations during the building process. It may take a little longer to design and build the house, but you end up actualizing all your desires for a perfect house.
The builder-homeowner relationship develops as per the level of involvement of the owner in the home-building process. Custom home builders have a better rapport with their customers compared to spec home builders, who deal more on a transactional level. A healthy exchange of ideas between the builder and owner will result in a long-term association and even help fix post-construction damages without any delays.
Custom homes are a prized possession that you will cherish for life. They are always special for anyone and everyone, who wants to create a home that reflects their sense of style.
We have a team of talented architects, experienced builders, and highly creative interior designers who combine their talents to create astonishing homes. We act as your primary builder and point-of-contact for the entire process, ensuring accountability at each phase.
If you are looking to build a custom home, then we could be your best partners. We will design your dream home with high-quality features and exquisite craftsmanship, within your desired price point and timeline. Get in touch today to get started on your home ownership journey.
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