Types
of New Home Construction
Speculative Homes
Also
called a "Spec Home", this type of new home is built
before someone has purchased it. Spec homes are designed by
the builder, not for a particular buyer. Therefore, the builder
must conduct market research studies to determine the features
that would be most desireable for a potential buyer.
This
type of home can be purchased at varying stages of construction,
so occasionally the buyer is afforded the opportunity to make
some last minute design choices such as carpet or wall color.
However, once the home has passed a certain stage in the construction
process, it is too late to make design decisions and the buyer
will have to go with the options the builder chose.
The
benefit to purchasing this type of newly constructed home
is that the buyer is able to puchase a brand new home without
having to wait months for construction to be completed.
 Semi-Custom
Homes
A
Semi-Custom Home is a home where the basic structure cannot
be changed, but where changes can be made to some design aspects
of the home. Most new home construction falls into this category.
Examples
of design aspects that can be chosen by the buyer include
front elevation, cabinet types and finishes, flooring, fixtures,
color schemes, and landscaping. Occasionally, some plans will
provide the buyer with the option of how to treat a particular
room. For example, a fourth bedroom might have the option
to be a study, or a game room might have the option of becoming
a media room. Many design choices are considered upgrades
and increase the price of the home accordingly.
The
benefit to the buyer of this type of home is that they get
to choose the floorplan they like and then customize the design
features. Semi-Custom Homes generally take at least six months
to complete.
 Custom
Homes
A
Custom Home is one that is especially designed to meet the
specifications of the person who commissioned it. A designer,
usually an architect, closely studies the land and interviews
the clients to create a one-of-a-kind home that is tailor-made
for the people who will live there.
Buyers of this type of home may choose to hire an architect,
general contractor, and all the subcontractors individually,
or they may opt to go with a custom builder.
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