The Best Custom Home Builders in the Mid-Atlantic
Discover the very best Custom Home Builders and Design-Build Firms in the Mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.
CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
What is a Custom Home Builder?
Among the many skills and specialties involved in building a new home, the role of a Custom Home Builder is integral. Certified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), a Custom Home Builder typically works in collaboration with a Residential Architect to develop the plans for a new home, an Interior Designer to help execute and construct the built environment, and a Landscape Architect to execute a thoughtful site plan.
CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
Featured Mid-Atlantic Custom Home Builders
Explore a curated selection of the very best Custom Home Builders and Design-Build Firms in the Mid-Atlantic
Hollerith House of Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Image courtesy of Gordon Beall.
Bradley Village Colonial of Bethesda, Maryland. Image courtesy of Jennifer Hughes.
Rustic Country Residence of Vienna, Virginia. Image courtesy of Gordon Beall.
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CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
Power Rankings
Explore the most popular Custom Home Builders and Design-Build Firms in the Mid-Atlantic
2). J.M Sykes Inc.
3). Zantzinger
8). Gladis & Co.
CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
Field Notes
Discover the stories, sights, and sounds that make life in the Mid-Atlantic truly extraordinary
The Homestead Preserve of Warm Springs, Virginia. Image courtesy of Darren Setlow.
THE ART OF LIVING
The Branded Residences of the Mid-Atlantic
From Virginia Hunt Country to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, these branded residential communities offer luxury living at its very best
The Oyster House of Lottsburg, Virginia. Image courtesy of Maxwell MacKenzie.
THE ART OF LIVING
The Waterfront Homes of the Mid-Atlantic
From the historic estates of Maryland’s Eastern Shore to contemporary homes on Virginia’s Northern Neck, these waterfront homes are among the finest in the Mid-Atlantic
Poplar Grove of Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. Image courtesy of Ty Cole.
MARKET TRENDS
The Definitive Guide to Building a Custom Home
A guide for those who plan to build their first custom home in the Mid-Atlantic
CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore frequently asked questions about working with Custom Home Builders and Design-Build Firms, including common fee structures, services, and more.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO FIND A GOOD CUSTOM HOME BUILDER?
The best way to find a good Custom Home Builder is to ask friends for recommendations. Once you have a list of recommended Custom Home Builders, conduct interviews with each candidate and ask to review their portfolio of completed work. Finally, ensure your Custom Home Builder is registered with their state licensing board.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SAVE MONEY WHEN BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME?
There are a number of ways to save money when building a Custom Home, including: building a smaller foundation and roof (commonly referred to building “up” rather than building “out”); opting for a more simple and traditional home design rather an a completely unique home design; selecting more simple and modest finishes and appliances; opting for a more simple landscape design; and keeping “wet” rooms like bathrooms and laundry rooms bunched or stacked upon each other.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER AND A DESIGN BUILD FIRM?
A Design Build Firm is a type of Custom Home Builder where the disparate parts of the project — specifically the upfront design and then the subsequent construction or build — are contextualized under one agreement and one entity. While many Custom Home Builders offer Design Build services, some may only offer construction services, which means a separate entity may be required to satisfy other phases of the project.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WORK WITH A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER?
When you have found the Custom Home Builder you want work with, request a written contract that includes the agreed-upon start and finish dates, the down payment or deposit owed at signing, a cancellation policy, and the total price and payment schedule — including contingencies for paying for work due only upon completion. In addition, ensure your Custom Home Builder obtains all necessary building permits for the project and can articulate a lien release strategy to reduce your exposure to liability from sub contractors. Because the permit holder becomes the general contractor and assumes responsibility for the overall project (which may include taxes, workers’ compensation, and other legal liabilities). Finally, ensure your Custom Home Builder carries an active general liability and workers compensation insurance policy, and can articulate how change orders throughout the project will be handled.
WHAT BUILD OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN WORKING WITH A CUSTOM HOOME BUILDER IN VIRGINIA?
Typically, consumers working with a Custom Home Builder can choose from three different build options: Buying a spec home (a completed new home), building a model home based on a design the Custom Home Builder already has in place with light customization, or building a Custom Home from scratch, which is usually more expensive and a long build process but offers the most options for customization.
WHAT BUILD OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN WORKING WITH A CUSTOM HOME BUILDER?
Typically, consumers working with a Custom Home Builder can choose from three different build options: Buying a spec home (a completed new home), building a model home based on a design the Custom Home Builder already has in place with light customization, or building a Custom Home from scratch, which is usually more expensive and a long build process but offers the most options for customization.
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