When it comes to building a new custom home, you have many choices. Your choices go beyond things such as what style home, floor plan or finishes you want in your new home. One of the biggest choices you will make is who will actually build your dream home. With a large number of new home builders in southeast Michigan, it can be difficult to know which builder is right for you. It is important to understand the differences between them so that you can choose the best builder for your family and new home. Is there a reason to choose a local custom home builder, like Evergreen Homes, instead of a national builder? In our opinion, there are many reasons!

Price

Many factors deserve consideration when choosing a new home builder, not just price. Since consumers typically make purchasing decisions largely based on price, however, we can’t ignore it here. Home buyers often believe that national builders offer lower prices than smaller local home builders. In some cases, that is correct. Their size brings them certain economies of scale, so they can purchase land and materials in volume. They also tend to build larger, more “cookie-cutter” developments. That helps them keep prices down somewhat. But that is not always the case, and does not always make them the lower cost option.

For example, Evergreen Homes, a local new home builder in Canton, Michigan, actually offers lower costs per square foot on average than its national competitors. In fact, Evergreen Homes’ costs per square foot are 10-15% lower than one national builder with a large presence in Canton, Michigan. That means that Evergreen Homes offers its customers more than a $25.00 per square foot cost savings on average compared to its national counterpart.

Here are some reasons why Evergreen Homes’ costs are lower*:

• Substantially lower overhead and administrative fees
• Lower or no sales commissions on the selling side
• Passing costs savings on to customers, rather than keeping them as corporate profits
• Lower prices are a necessity in order to compete with larger, national home builders

*Quality of materials and craftsmanship are NEVER areas where Evergreen Homes looks to save its customers money!

Customer Service

Another advantage local home builders offer over large national builders is in the area of customer service. Sometimes a national builder will wrap up a development and then leave town for the next project. Or the national builder is not headquartered in your home town. It can be hard to get in touch with them if a problem arises with your new home (and even well-built homes can occasionally have issues that need attention). Many homeowners prefer dealing with reputable local companies, because they know someone is always close by and will still be there to help out after the project is completed.

Whereas the quality and customer service of a national builder can vary from location to location, a local home builder is more consistent and more accountable. You know you will always be getting the “A team” when working with a local builder. Often times the owner is personally involved and taking an active part in the day-to-day operations of the business, like at Evergreen Homes. The owner and builder of Evergreen Homes is on site every day. Being on site means seeing, and being available and accountable to your customers every day. Therefore, the level of responsiveness and customer service that Evergreen Homes brings to the new home building experience is unsurpassed.

Unlike national builders with large advertising and marketing budgets, local builders often depend almost entirely on word of mouth and referrals for new business. That means that local home builders are extremely motivated to make sure you are happy. Be sure to research a home builder’s testimonials before selecting the one that is right for you! 

Home Building Customization Options

All new home builders provide an array of customization options for their clients. Both national and local builders offer a wide selection of choices for flooring, cabinets, counter tops, appliances, lighting, and colors. Overall, however, national builders’ customization options tend to be more topical than foundational. For instance, national builders offer their clients an array of floor plans from which to choose, but clients typically have little or no ability to make changes to these plans. Local builders, on the other hand, are more likely to offer floor plans that can be customized in layout, size and more to suit their clients’ specific needs. Smaller, local home builders can be more flexible and move more quickly when it comes to modifications to an existing floor plan. This is your dream home after all. Shouldn’t you have some say in it?

It Pays to “Buy Local”

Wouldn’t you rather “Buy Local”? Whether buying produce, baked goods, clothing or new homes, it always pays to support local businesses. When you patronize a local merchant, your consumer dollars remain local. It is no different with new home builders. Local builders typically invest, hire and spend locally. They are not outsourcing jobs or functions (i.e., purchasing, marketing, finance) outside of the local area. They are also unlikely to leave the community once a project is completed. Local home builders are typically residents of the community or a nearby community and have a substantial interest in the community’s long-term health. They patronize local shops and utilize local services. They frequently serve on local boards and support local causes and charities. By using a local home builder you are helping to keep spending and jobs local, and helping your community and economy thrive.

In the end, the choice really comes down to what is most important to you and your family. There are legitimate reasons for either choice. But if personal attention and responsiveness, greater flexibility in customizing your home, and confidence that your builder will be there after your home is completed are important to you, consider buying local and contacting us. We would love to show you why all of these things really make a difference in your new home building experience. And if you’re looking for information on the custom home building process generally, we invite you to download our free Custom Home Guide. You’ll find plenty of help getting your dream home on the road to reality.