What is a CUSTOM BUILDER verses a MERCHANT BUILDER?
CUSTOM is the most abused term in the industry. CUSTOM BUILDERS serve 10-15% of the Marketplace. They ask: “How Can I Find the Very Best Product at a Competitive Price?” Custom Builders work with their clients, striving for specific goals: Style, Craftsmanship, Quality, and Location. Cost is an important though secondary consideration. A Custom Builder value engineers the home for you to ensure that the areas that are important to you are where your money is spent. MERCHANT BUILDERS search out areas of need or niches in the housing marketplace and design housing to fill that need. They serve 85-90% of the Marketplace. They ask: “How Can I Find the Very Lowest Price for an Adequate Product?” When it comes to value engineering, the Merchant Builder’s process is similar to the Custom Builder, however they use the marketplace to determine price and target market then they tailor the size and specifications to that market. Cost is the primary decision factor when selecting materials and cra
