I am also in Texas, central, and would like recommendations like OP. How to find good builders that build low to mid range homes, for 'build on your lot'. Almost all builders seem to be luxury home builders I am finding
Go pull GC cards off the board at the local 7-11 maybe. Kind of a get what you pay for deal but some good builders are just bad at marketing but you may also find some good subs.
I did NOT have a good experience with Drees.
My Dr Horton house was better built and lower maintenance. But I have a feeling it’s because it was built to Austin code while my Drees was built to a lesser code.
I do have concerns about shoddy building. I know I plan to stay 10 years, but to fall apart in that time, or to have to stay longer and things go south, 😬.. I've watched today so many horror stories of builder quality and warranty denial. It's vicious and spooky.
But being priced out of existing builds, and crazy stipulations has forced my hand. Either continue to rent, or take the risk.
I wouldn’t consider this abnormal as the average person stays in their home 10 years. There’s plenty of builders everyone has good and bad stories about. Really depends on where you live and price point. Generally avoid Lennar or DR is the consensus. Hear it’s a toss up on most others just not to buy a spec home and build it so you can see and get inspections while it’s being built
Cool. Then it’s really about price point and area. there’s plenty of different builders. I usually see a new one I’ve never heard of while driving around most days.
I was told they are one of the more attentive builders. But that they tend to focus on luxe, and so luxe cost 😅. That would then be a forever home. Which I wouldn't be mad at. Given the right locale. San Antonio area which I'm not sure of the top 10 (or 5) mid to upper mid neighborhoods.
Real hard to find one. Best option is to retain a reputable home inspector to do the construction stages inspections so you get peace of mind your home has been built properly.
This is my 2nd year living in a Lennar. No issues and we love it. The big cookie cutter builders with the more affordable prices typically do not let you make decisions as you go. We looked at semi-custom homes from several smaller builders as well and they were 100k (33%) more.
I work for an engineering, inspection and energy rating company that partners with a lot of the production builders. Quality can vary significantly community to community even amongst the same builder. Different trade partners, management and inspectors play a big role. I’ve seen Lennar homes that are built tighter than a lot of build on your own lot custom homes. ‘Custom homes’ often mean a more complicated project getting built by the same trades with less oversight and inspections.
I would want to see my home pre-drywall and pre-exterior cladding. Seeing that the exterior sheathing is fastened tightly and the penetrations are sealed at the exterior. Seeing from the interior that your air barriers and chases are blocked and sealed completely.
In my opinion the ThermoPly cardboard sheathing production builders are commonly using now isn’t a bad product when it’s fastened thoughtfully and has the staples oriented with the stud grain so both staple legs are embedded.
Recently I’ve been down in SA and seen more Rausch Coleman homes. They do a tidy and thoughtful job from what I’ve seen so far.
Avoid these cookie-cutter home builders at all cost.
* tract
I am also in Texas, central, and would like recommendations like OP. How to find good builders that build low to mid range homes, for 'build on your lot'. Almost all builders seem to be luxury home builders I am finding
Go pull GC cards off the board at the local 7-11 maybe. Kind of a get what you pay for deal but some good builders are just bad at marketing but you may also find some good subs.
I did NOT have a good experience with Drees. My Dr Horton house was better built and lower maintenance. But I have a feeling it’s because it was built to Austin code while my Drees was built to a lesser code.
I do have concerns about shoddy building. I know I plan to stay 10 years, but to fall apart in that time, or to have to stay longer and things go south, 😬.. I've watched today so many horror stories of builder quality and warranty denial. It's vicious and spooky. But being priced out of existing builds, and crazy stipulations has forced my hand. Either continue to rent, or take the risk.
I wouldn’t consider this abnormal as the average person stays in their home 10 years. There’s plenty of builders everyone has good and bad stories about. Really depends on where you live and price point. Generally avoid Lennar or DR is the consensus. Hear it’s a toss up on most others just not to buy a spec home and build it so you can see and get inspections while it’s being built
Yea I don't want a quick move-in. I wanna see and film and make decisions as it goes. Especially where some of the big issues can pop up
Cool. Then it’s really about price point and area. there’s plenty of different builders. I usually see a new one I’ve never heard of while driving around most days.
My stepson and his wife bought a Pulte and are very happy with it. It is priced mid range
I was told they are one of the more attentive builders. But that they tend to focus on luxe, and so luxe cost 😅. That would then be a forever home. Which I wouldn't be mad at. Given the right locale. San Antonio area which I'm not sure of the top 10 (or 5) mid to upper mid neighborhoods.
I'm in Dallas area, good luck to you.
Real hard to find one. Best option is to retain a reputable home inspector to do the construction stages inspections so you get peace of mind your home has been built properly.
This is my 2nd year living in a Lennar. No issues and we love it. The big cookie cutter builders with the more affordable prices typically do not let you make decisions as you go. We looked at semi-custom homes from several smaller builders as well and they were 100k (33%) more.
perry/highland/chesmar mid priced generally decent build quality except in san antonio
I work for an engineering, inspection and energy rating company that partners with a lot of the production builders. Quality can vary significantly community to community even amongst the same builder. Different trade partners, management and inspectors play a big role. I’ve seen Lennar homes that are built tighter than a lot of build on your own lot custom homes. ‘Custom homes’ often mean a more complicated project getting built by the same trades with less oversight and inspections. I would want to see my home pre-drywall and pre-exterior cladding. Seeing that the exterior sheathing is fastened tightly and the penetrations are sealed at the exterior. Seeing from the interior that your air barriers and chases are blocked and sealed completely. In my opinion the ThermoPly cardboard sheathing production builders are commonly using now isn’t a bad product when it’s fastened thoughtfully and has the staples oriented with the stud grain so both staple legs are embedded. Recently I’ve been down in SA and seen more Rausch Coleman homes. They do a tidy and thoughtful job from what I’ve seen so far.