Find the Best Home Builders in Madison, WI

How to find a home builder in Madison

To find a good home builder in Madison, start by learning more about a company’s reputation:

• Ask family and friends for recommendations.
• Read company reviews.
• Visit communities or homes built by the company in the area. Seeing projects in person is helpful.

Look for builders that offer a high degree of personalization and extra features to choose from in the design. If you already have a certain home type in mind, like a tract, custom, high-end, mobile, manufactured or tiny house, look for builders that specialize in these projects. Think about what features are important to you, including energy and water efficiency, utilities (e.g., solar, gas, electric), appliances, room types and building materials.

Also ask the following questions before hiring a builder:

• Do you have a dwelling contractor license from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services? What insurance do you hold?
• What is your experience building in the Wisconsin climate? Ask about features for snow, wind, heat and humidity.
• How much will building a home cost?
• Do you assist with obtaining the necessary permits from the City of Madison?
• How long will construction take?
• Who will be working on the home? What subcontractors will you be using?
• Who will be my point of contact during construction?
• What is your warranty policy? Which elements are included and which are not?

How much does it cost to build a house in Madison?

The cost to build a manufactured or mobile home in Madison ranges from about $90,000 to $150,000. New custom homes built in Madison and surrounding areas, like Sun Prairie, DeForest and Middleton, cost about $300,000 to $600,000. Building a custom home costs $80 to $200 per square foot, in general. A newly built home can cost less than an existing home in Madison, but for homes of comparable size and features, it costs more to build than to buy.

Many factors affect the price of building a home. A prefabricated tract house costs less to build than a high-end home with premium materials. The extra features chosen for a custom home, like premium materials and appliances, increase the final price. The size of the home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the windows, major systems, architectural elements and interior design services also influence home building costs.

Types of home builders and homes in Madison

Home builders in Madison specialize in high-end, tract, custom, mobile and manufactured homes. High-end home builders offer completely customized designs based on the home site and client’s personal style, with room plans and features to suit your needs.

Tract home builders specialize in planned communities and typically offer several different models and floor plans to choose from. Custom builders let clients customize homes using many available designs and features. Mobile and manufactured homes provide Madison residents affordable options for a newly built home. These builders might also offer prefabricated tiny homes designed to conserve resources and perhaps adapt to a small plot of land or space.

Madison residents might have seen the new home trend called the “barndominium,” a barn converted into a home or an open-concept, custom-built, barnlike home. Some custom home remodelers and builders in Wisconsin offer to build this type of home.

Madison home builders FAQ

How much does it cost to build a house?

The average cost to build a custom house ranges from $90,000 to $600,000.

Is it cheaper to buy or build a house?

It’s usually cheaper to buy an existing home. In some parts of Madison and surrounding areas, however, it could be cheaper to build a house than to buy an existing home. If you choose to build a home that comes with standard features and is part of a planned community, you could save money.

What is the cheapest type of house to build?

The cheapest type of house to build is a mobile or manufactured home. Builders typically prefabricate the components and can assemble them easily and efficiently, saving on costs.

How much does it cost to build a tiny house?

Building a tiny house costs anywhere from $8,000 to $150,000. The average cost of a tiny house is $30,000 to $60,000.

How much does it cost to add a second story?

The cost to add a second story to a Madison home ranges widely, from $13,000 to $111,000. The national average is about $45,000.