Anyone Know a Builder Named "Chadsworth Homes"? (Fairfax: loft, custom home)

[IndiaLimaDelta]

I need some information on the builder "Chadsworth Homes" such as build quality, reputation, etc. -- you know, the usual intangibles one can't find from brochures and such.

[SmartMoney]

High end builder - good reputation. Comparable builder would be Toll Brothers or NVHomes. They have some excellent financing offered by their bank.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

I see. Is Toll Brothers considered a "high end" builder?

[bmwguydc]

I would put Chadsworth above a production builder like Toll Brothers, despite Toll Brothers building some larger homes. Chadsworth is much smaller, and more of custom builder, and the name is very familiar, but I just cannot place it. I would equate them more to Mitchell & Best, though Mitchell & Best is larger and has a production line. Similarly, I would say that the homes are on par with Gulick Group, though again Gulick has a production line, whereas Chadsworth has design-build plans if you don't want true custom.

ETA: I was in a Chadsworth Home in Maryland, and now that I remember the house, it looked to be well built, and had extra touches that one would not commonly find in a true production home. My friend ended up buying in Fairfax County, a resale that they were able to renovate, but had the commute been different, probably would have bought in Maryland as the new homes from Chadsworth and Selfridge would have been easier than a full renovation.

[michgc]

Toll Brothers started out in Philadelphia where I grew up. They were always considered high-end builders as I remember them from the 70's and 80's. I think as they've expanded and grown, their reputation has changed some, but I believe they still tend to build many larger/estate homes, although their quality may not be as good as it once was.

[TyroneBiggums]

I wouldn't say they are high end. They're certainly better than New Dimensions, Classic Homes, or ANV. If New Dimension/Classic/ANV are considered 'average,' then I would say Chadsworth is 'above average.'

I talked to one of their principals a while back. Nice enough guy, but I didn't get the impression that site engineering was their strong suit. The actual homes they did show me were nicer than your pseudo-custom home though.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by TyroneBiggums

The actual homes they did show me were nicer than your pseudo-custom home though.

What is a "pseudo-custom home"?

[michgc]

I *think* a pseudo-custom home is one where you have some choices. A tract home is one where the the builder builds everything the same. A custom home is one where you pick out exactly what you want. A pseudo-custom home is one where the builder might give you some choices - like adding a sun-room, a screened-in porch, or nothing at all. Adding a loft or not, turning a garage into a third bedroom, etc. I think most builders today have some choices and upgrades. But I think a semi-custom one would have more choices and perhaps more upscale options.

[IndiaLimaDelta]

Originally Posted by michgc

I *think* a pseudo-custom home is one where you have some choices. A tract home is one where the the builder builds everything the same. A custom home is one where you pick out exactly what you want. A pseudo-custom home is one where the builder might give you some choices - like adding a sun-room, a screened-in porch, or nothing at all. Adding a loft or not, turning a garage into a third bedroom, etc. I think most builders today have some choices and upgrades. But I think a semi-custom one would have more choices and perhaps more upscale options.

I understand "semi-custom." I just didn't understand "pseudo-custom," which I interpreted as "fake" custom rather than "partial."

[michgc]

Originally Posted by IndiaLimaDelta

I understand "semi-custom." I just didn't understand "pseudo-custom," which I interpreted as "fake" custom rather than "partial."

Oh, well I can't speak for him, but I'm guessing he meant semi-custom.