Thinking of Building a Home? Compare These Top Home Construction Options
Finding the right home construction companies can feel overwhelming. Here are the categories of builders to consider and how to choose the right type for your project.
The four main types of residential builders
Builders in Greater Vancouver fall into four broad categories. Production builders build the same handful of designs at scale on developer lots. Semi custom builders offer a small set of plans with limited customization. Custom builders design and build a unique home for each client. Project management builders run construction for clients with their own architectural plans. Knowing which type fits your project saves time and money.
Production builders
Production builders work on developer subdivisions, building from a fixed library of plans with limited finish choices. Cost per square foot is the lowest of any category, often $250 to $350 in Greater Vancouver, but you trade design freedom and material flexibility for that price. Best fit: buyers who want a new home in a specific neighbourhood and are happy choosing from a curated palette.
Semi custom builders
Semi custom builders modify a base set of plans to fit your lot and preferences, typically with a wider finish library than production builders. Cost runs $325 to $475 per square foot. Best fit: buyers who want some personalization without the cost or timeline of a fully custom build.
Custom builders
Custom builders design every home from scratch around the owner, the lot, and the neighbourhood. Cost runs $350 to $600 per square foot for premium custom and $600 to $1,200 plus for luxury custom. Timeline is typically 18 to 24 months from initial consultation to move in. Best fit: buyers who want a home tailored to their specific lifestyle, lot, and aesthetic.
Project management builders
Project management builders run construction for clients who already have architectural plans, typically commissioned from an independent architect. Cost is comparable to custom builders. Best fit: clients with strong architectural relationships who need a builder to execute, not design.
How Major Homes works
Major Homes is primarily a custom home builder, with project management and development services for clients whose needs fit those scopes. We do not build production homes. The work we do best is designing and building a unique custom home around a specific owner, on a specific lot, in Greater Vancouver. If that is what you are planning, we are a good fit. If not, we can recommend builders in other categories.