Really, you're just talking about words. A "true" custom home builder would build exactly what the architect that you've hired has created on a lot that you most likely already own (or you choose in consultation with the architect and perhaps the builder).

A semi-custom house is whatever a builder wants it to mean.

The builder has set up "packages," I would assume, because they get better pricing by buying certain items in bulk and perhaps have subs set up in advance that are experienced in doing, for example, epoxy garage floors. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what the homeowner wants.

In my somewhat limited experience and part of the U.S., all of the custom home builders I know also build spec houses. Not sure if that's the case elsewhere.

Are they really a true custom home builder or more like semi-custom home builder?

Honestly, it doesn't even sound semi-custom to me. There's nothing custom at all about having to choose from only three different pre-determined packages.

I'm also using a builder that primarily builds spec houses, just due to the market here. Though he has some strong preferences (some due to his experience in this climate, etc.), he's building my house exactly the way I want it. Unless you're in a market with very limited options I wouldn't hire a builder who was going to charge me for things I didn't want or seemingly punish me for not fitting into their predetermined boxes.

You need to walk away. That GC is ONLY trying to make as MUCH profit as possible!!!!!!!!!!! It's SICKENING what some GC's do......It 'degrades' GC's reputations!!!!!!!!!

You need to walk away. That GC is ONLY trying to make as MUCH profit as possible!!!!!!!!!!! It's SICKENING what some GC's do......It 'degrades' GC's reputations!!!!!!!!!

lol

Most of us in business try to make as much profit as possible : ) . It's not sickening or degrading, though the overuse of exclamation points can be dizzying.

What's important in this particular instance is that the builder in question is calling himself one thing but is offering something else, at the opposite end of the spectrum. If you want a custom build, you have to find an actual custom builder. If you're ok with this guy's packages and what you get for what you pay, then you're all set.

Very simply, you've found a builder that is sort of a mid-range production model. If you're OK with that, willing to live with his "packages" and aware that you will have less control (make sure you get costs of any upgrades you want IN WRITING right now), then fine. If you're not, search on for another builder. Keep in mind that it's possible a fully custom builder who IS willing to delete those items you feel you don't need may not end up being less expensive. A builder that is doing packages is saving up front on buying certain items in large quantities. That's why removing them doesn't save YOU that much - they aren't costing him that much and so you don't get the full retail price difference between those items for not using them.

Calling himself a "custom" builder is certainly stretching the terminology here. It's not that custom builders don't do spec houses - they do. Mine occasionally will do a spec house when he has time on his hands, found a super handy lot, or just has something he wants to try. OTOH, he never builds the same house twice, either.

True custom pretty much means every house is a proto-type. Since the builder has never done THAT house before, either, it's harder to be specific about what it will cost or foresee the little quirky things that will happen. Hence, why they're more expensive.

Agree with most of the other comments.

Your builder is not a custom builder at all. Sounds like a tract type builder with his built in packages for everybody. This isn't custom building, It's production building. Building spec homes is normal for custom home builders and for production home builders so that is not your test for a custom builder.

As pointed out, a custom builder builds your plan designed by your architect on your lot and to your specifications. Adding in items you don't want because it is more convenient to the builder is your tip that you aren't working with a custom builder at all. That package thing your builder is doing tells you he isn't a custom builder and would have difficulty building anything that doesn't conform to his pre-conceived ideas of building. He sounds like a production builder, or a wanna-be production builder.

How did you find him?

If I were in your shoes and was looking to build a (truly) custom home, I would walk away from this builder. On the other hand, if you are building a production home in a neighborhood of production type builders, then let go of the idea you are building custom. The production home building process is as far away from custom as it gets.

No this is not a custom builder but a tract builder who calls themselves custom.

As bad as my builder was, he was a custom builder in that he worked off the plans we gave him and didn’t add or subtract based on a “package”.

A package essentially takes the design autonomy away from the homeowner and forces them into predetermined solutions. Not custom.

The builder may be adjusting his services/product to respond to a broader market. There are those that feel a better constructed and well detailed smaller home will enhance their lives and provide them with a better quality of life; and there are those that think the bigger the better. There are those that think everyone should live in a rectangular box, and there are those that need at least twenty corners and five gables on the front elevation. There are those that choose to spend 1,315 hours looking at house designs on line, and there are those that choose to spend 10 hours in meetings with their architect. There are those that choose the path less traveled, and there are those that follow.

Interesting approach. Clients have a tough time making decisions, especially without prices and context.

"Packages" help both understand the price very quickly and cut down bid time invested.

Prospective clients arrive with some ideas, which I try to show them in the field and relate to costs, then write the proposal to accommodate their disclosed budget range (priced with the appropriate selections). This is my most successful approach.

Prospective clients who arrive with "full specifications" usually haven't been involved in an process to view and touch samples, as they are all in too much of a hurry at that point to get serious and ultimately change just as much as every other client.

There's a near infinite number of decisions and selections one can make, so the word "custom" varies and has no real definition.

Don't let others shame you into changing builders if it works for you, but the more flexible builder to builds exactly to your wishes might be more expensive, or very small, or very slow, etc.

Through my career, about 1/2 of my homes were "spec" as it keeps you on your toes and more aware of the market while providing a physical model of work, which is far more effective than references.

I appreciate everyone's comment/opinion, it's always good to hear feedback even if it's just from random people online. I'm not sure yet what to do next. Like I said they are willing to build the floorplan from my architect it's just that they are adding things I don't care much. For example, they are including smart package which includes ring doorbell, nest thermostat, google hub, garage smart opener etc. They also quoted me $100 per sq ft, I know this may not mean much but when they gave me the quote on cost to build based on my desired sq footage, it is in fact adding it to about $100/sq ft. Doesn't include site prep/grading, propane tank, septic tank, permit fees and utility hookup, those are another 30K. I own my lot too, 10 acres.

I'm a random person online :) Also building a home. If it's your lot, and your plans, then the bottom line question (assuming the builder and plans are quality, qualified, etc.) is : Can I work with this person, and how will we resolve conflicts? IMO you are already questioning the 'push' for things you didn't ask or want, which means you're feeling your gut here but not mentally acknowledging or accepting it. Plenty of builders are 'willing' - - is this someone you can work with? --Just trying to poke your brain a little...

So the builder is a reputable builder in the area, they have quite a few model spec homes plus they just built a really nice farmhouse model home that we were able to see. The quality and feel is there and I don't doubt they make a good home, it's just the "package" thing they are doing. I don't mind the things they are adding but when money is tight then I have to look at everything closely and prioritize. For about $100 sq ft of living space and the quality of work i've seen, I decided I'll go with them. Living space is about 4000 sq ft, plus garage and patio/porch, total is around 5000 sq ft.

Thank for the feedback.

Have you talked to their past customers? Not from a year or even two years ago but from five or more years ago to see if they are still happy? If you have are the customers still happy?

Have you talked to recent customers? Are they happy? Was their house completed in time?

How long have they been in business?

How long have they been working with the same subs or does that change from job to job?

Have you gone to your town building department? What is their reputation there?

Do they pay the store where they get their lumber, etc on time and what is their reputation there?

Are there any lawsuits against the builder?

From bad experience, i would absolutely ask all those questions and do my due diligence before signing