When it comes to building a home in Arlington, VA, you have several paths to choose from—spec homes, semi-custom builds, or working with a fully custom home builder like Alair. At Alair, we want you to choose us as your home builder in Arlington because you believe we are the best option for you. In this post, we’ll break down your options so you can make the best decision for your family.
What is a Spec Home Builder?
Spec home builders offer homes that are typically fully built and finished before they go on the market. You have very little to say (if anything) about the level of finish, color of paint, etc. If you like it and don’t need to make any changes, it can be a great deal. They typically have a lower price tag and are ready to move in.
The Downside of a Spec Home Builder
Spec homes come at a lower price tag because they are all built using the same material and design (this also explains why they can be built so fast!). If you walk through the home and start identifying a long list of changes you’d like to make, especially major ones like new flooring or cabinets, it may be a better idea to consider a semi-custom or custom home. That said, if you’re willing to invest in renovating a brand-new spec home to meet your standards, we’ve done that before and would be happy to do it for you as well.
What is a Semi-Custom Home Builder?
A semi-custom builder often has various home plans already priced and outfitted with a standard array of finishes, which are perceived as a fixed cost. That can be very comforting to a buyer searching online for something that fits their needs and budget. When you find a plan you like, you can see what modifications need to be made to fit it on your lot, examine the standard finishes more closely, and make changes to meet your specific needs.
The Downside of a Semi-Custom Builder
Once you start inquiring about modifications, you may discover additional costs not included in the original published price for the plan. Think of it like shopping for a car. The price listed online draws you in, but that number usually reflects the most basic trim level.
In areas like Arlington and its surrounding communities, there is a considerable range of lot sizes, shapes, and elevations. Because of this, it’s rare to find a “standard” plan that works without modification. Your semi-custom home often becomes more custom before you’ve even broken ground.
Expenses such as site development, permit fees, and sometimes even foundation adjustments are typically not included in the base price, and these can add up quickly.
There is also typically little insight provided on the actual cost of the changes they would like to make to the original plan. Everything is a negotiation, and nothing is transparent. Most firms also try to limit the clients’ choices at this stage, so you can only modify certain aspects and select or buy supplies offered only by the builder. This means that if you want to purchase an appliance not offered by the builder, you will not be able to do so (but you can replace it on your own after closing at your own expense).
With semi-custom homes, you are also making assumptions that the house is built to a reasonable level of quality. Often, you will not be able to hire a private home inspector to do the walk-through until the home is finished. You may never know what type of framing, sheeting, subfloor, or insulation is behind the walls.
The semi-custom route can be a great fit if you are agnostic about the means and methods of the building process and don’t need—or want— to make any changes. However, if you plan to move walls, expand the footprint, or upgrade standard finishes, it makes more sense to explore custom home builders and what they offer.
What is a Custom Home Builder?
A custom home builder in Arlington, VA, such as Alair Arlington, is for those who don’t want to compromise. We start with your needs, your vision, and your priorities—not with a pre-set plan. You have the freedom to design and build the exact home you want.
When you start with a fully priced and specified plan, and then try to make it custom, you are working backward. It will never be precisely what you want, as you will be dealing with standard specifications and limitations on the ability to make adjustments.
Opting for a custom home builder might seem intimidating. However, it doesn’t mean you’re starting from scratch completely, especially when you choose to work with us.
Alair is North America’s largest custom home building and remodeling network; our teams have built and remodeled thousands of homes. Our office has remodeled and built hundreds of custom homes in Arlington alone. Chances are, we’ve already built something similar to what you’re envisioning and can use that as a starting point.
Choosing the right custom home builder in Arlington, VA, is crucial when considering the level of involvement you desire in the project. Most of our clients are busy professionals, so don’t think you have to become an expert in construction to build a custom home. We are the experts; whether you want us to handle everything or be more involved, we tailor the process to your preferences.
With Alair, every line item is carefully considered to ensure you receive the specifications and finishes you envision. We’ve adjusted window sizes to make room for dream kitchen cabinets and fine-tuned bathroom finishes room by room to balance budget and style. These are the kinds of personal touches semi-custom builders simply can’t offer.
Finally, when building a custom home, you have more opportunity to see what is truly behind the walls. At Alair, we will let you see as much detail as you want. We will let you know what subfloor or sheeting we are suggesting and why. If you’ve watched a cool YouTube video on an alternative, we’d be happy to discuss it and investigate it further. We work collaboratively with our clients and do not take offense when they want to bring in third-party home inspectors. Your home is one of the most significant investments of your life. You should feel informed and confident at every stage of the process.
The Trade-Offs of Building a Custom Home in Arlington
Building a custom home in Arlington takes longer than opting for a spec home or a semi-custom home, as you will need to go through the permitting process. The time savings associated with semi-custom homes stem from using a standard floor plan and standard finishes. However, once you attempt to make any changes to the floor plan, it’s no longer a standard plan; it becomes a custom plan that must be re-engineered and certified before it can be submitted for a permit. Therefore, you find yourself in the same basic time frame as with fully custom home builders in Arlington, VA, because the rest of the process remains unchanged. Every lot is different, so civil engineering must be tailored to that specific property. The house plan also needs to be approved for the lot. This process is the same whether you’re doing a semi-custom or fully custom build.
Fully custom homes also cost more than spec and semi-custom homes; at least, that is what it appears on the surface. If you dig deeper, many hidden costs are associated with spec homes and semi-custom homes due to the lack of control you have over the final product. With a home built by a custom home builder in Arlington, VA, especially one built through Alair’s transparent Client Control™ system, you decide where to save and where to splurge.
This leads to the following question: Is Alair Arlington a luxury custom home builder, or a good custom home builder?
Luxury means a lot of different things to different people, to us at Alair Arlington it means a quality, well-built home with the client’s direct input and choice of finishes. Because what you will get in our build, regardless of the level of finishes, is quality products and solid construction. We build homes that are designed to last.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between a spec, semi-custom, or custom home builder in Arlington depends on your goals, preferences, and the level of flexibility you desire.
If a spec or semi-custom builder feels like the right fit, we’re happy to make referrals. But if you’re ready to create a truly one-of-a-kind home, the team at Alair is here to guide you through a custom building experience that’s smooth, transparent, and tailored to you.
Let’s build the home you envision, together. Schedule a consultation today to get started.