The short answer to this question is usually, yes. Custom homes tend to cost a bit more than comparable prebuilt homes. In this post, we’ll cover the differences in price per square foot and some of the reasons behind the differences, as well.
Each type of home has advantages and disadvantages. The key is to discover which type of house is best for you and your family in this particular season of your life.
Prebuilt homes (also known as prefab or prefabricated homes) include modular and manufactured homes. Manufactured homes are built entirely in a factory and then shipped by truck to the site (as single, double, and triple wides). Modular homes are built in pieces in a factory and then assembled on site. They may be built as rooms, sections of a house, or as walls that are later put together.
Advantages of prebuilt homes
If you plan to build a home, prebuilt homes have some positives:
Construction costs for prebuilt homes are often lower than other new home options. You save money in labor when a product is built on an assembly line. You also save money because the builder buys materials in bulk and they can usually re-use any wasted material on another project.
The average cost for a prebuilt home is about $76 per square foot, not including the cost of the lot, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Of course, there is a wide range of price and quality from about $50 per square foot for some manufactured homes up to well over $200 per square foot for some luxury modular construction. On average, these homes cost 10-20% less than a comparable custom home.
Prebuilt homes are not for everyone. Some disadvantages include:
If you plan to build a home, custom built homes are a great option. Just like with a personally tailored suit, you do pay a bit more to have a home tailored just for you and your family but you also get what you want in the end. Of course, a site-built custom home has disadvantages and advantages, like any other home.
Custom homes are not for everyone. There are some possible disadvantages:
Custom home cost runs (on average) between $100-$400 per square foot, not including the cost of the lot, according to Home Advisor. Your builder can give you a much more accurate cost estimate for your particular project. And you have control over your budget and which materials you choose to use. A custom home doesn’t have to be extremely expensive.
With a custom home, your builder builds one house at a time, in many cases. The builder orders materials specifically for your project. Everything centers around you, the home buyer.
Advantages of custom homes
For some people, building a custom home is ideal. Here are a few of the advantages—you:
For those who desire to build a new home, there are options that best suit each individual’s needs. Be sure to do your research ahead of time and that you are comparing the immediate and long term costs so that you won’t have any surprises down the road.
Whatever you decide, we hope you will find the house that is just the right fit for your family at this stage in your life.
Top Six Reasons to Choose a Custom Home Builder
What Are the Benefits of Using a Custom Home Builder?
How Long Does Building a House Typically Take?
Southern Living Magazine carefully investigates and invites only the BEST homebuilders in the South to this exclusive network — selecting those with excellent reputations for quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction.
© 2023 Blythe Building Company, LLC — DBA Blythe Custom Homes. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
Certified Master Builder in South Carolina.
