When it comes to new home builders, Drees Homes and Ryan Homes are two of the most well-known names. Both companies have decades of experience building homes across multiple states, but there are some key differences between the two that home buyers should be aware of.
This comprehensive guide will compare Drees Homes and Ryan Homes across a variety of factors to help you determine which builder is the best fit for your needs and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Drees Homes | Ryan Homes |
| Average Home Price Range | $300k – $700k | $200k – $500k |
| Geographical Presence | KY, TN, IN, OH, AL, FL, GA, SC, NC, VA | Nationwide |
| Typical Home Styles | Craftsman, Traditional | Traditional, Colonial, Modern |
| Customization Options | Very flexible | Limited options |
| Quality & Construction | High-end finishes, quality construction | Affordable, production homes |
| Customer Satisfaction | Positive reviews | Mixed reviews |
| Resale Value | Higher than average | Average or below average |
| Warranty | 1 year workmanship, 2 year systems, 10 year structural | 1 year workmanship, 2 year systems, 10 year structural |
Now that we’ve introduced Drees Homes and Ryan Homes, let’s compare them across several important categories for new home buyers.
Home Prices Comparison of Drees Homes And Ryan Homes
One of the first factors home buyers research is how pricing compares between builders. Drees Homes and Ryan Homes serve different segments of the market in terms of budget.
Drees Homes Pricing
- Drees constructs move-up, luxury family homes, not entry-level housing.
- Their prices typically start around $300,000 and go up to $700,000 plus.
- In terms of size, Drees homes range from 2,000 to over 4,000 square feet on average.
- Their price per square foot is $100 to $200+ depending on the market and custom features.
- Drees caters to upper middle class buyers who want upscale finishes and details.
Ryan Homes Pricing
- Ryan Homes offers more affordable pricing overall, catering to first-time and move-up buyers.
- Their prices range from the low $200,000s up to around $500,000 on the high end.
- Home sizes start around 1,200 square feet for some condos and go up to 3,600+ square feet for the largest single-family homes.
- Their price per square foot ranges from around $80 to $150 on average.
- Ryan attracts buyers wanting new construction on a budget.
When comparing Drees versus Ryan pricing, on average Drees Homes cost $50,000 to $100,000 more. However, there can be overlap depending on the specific region and community.
Locations: Where Drees and Ryan Build
Drees Homes and Ryan Homes have different geographical footprints where they construct homes:
Where Drees Homes Builds
- Drees focuses on the Southern and Eastern U.S., including Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
- They do not build homes west of Texas or in the Northeast or Midwest.
- Drees has about 50 active home communities spread across these 10 states.
- Their core markets are Cincinnati, Nashville, Orlando, Atlanta, Raleigh, and Charleston.
Where Ryan Homes Builds
- Ryan Homes has a wider national presence, with active new home communities in over 20 states nationwide.
- Some of their biggest markets include Maryland, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, and Tennessee.
- Their geographical reach spans the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and some Western states like Arizona and Nevada.
- In total, Ryan has around 135 active new home communities across the country.
If you want to purchase outside Drees’ 10-state region, Ryan Homes likely offers more location options. Otherwise, both builders have a decent presence across the South and Midwest.
Home Designs: Style Comparison
In addition to different geographical footprints, Drees and Ryan offer divergent home designs and architectural styles.
Drees Home Exterior Design
- Drees Homes are known for Craftsman, Traditional, and European-inspired exteriors that utilize detailed trim, stone, and accent materials for visual interest.
- Their exterior home designs often feature front porches, dormers, columns, and other architectural elements that provide curb appeal.
- Colors tend to be neutral or natural earth tones and color palettes are designed to complement each other across the facade.
Ryan Home Exterior Design
- Ryan Homes offers more modest traditional, colonial, ranch, and modern exterior styles.
- Details and accents are simpler and more subtle, with clean lines and basic trim around entries and windows.
- Their exterior color palettes stick to neutrals like tan, brown, gray, and white for a cohesive look. Bolder paint colors are rare.
Interior Design and Layouts
In terms of interior design and layouts, Drees and Ryan take different approaches:
- Drees interiors feature open, airy floor plans with 9 and 10-foot ceiling heights for a spacious feel. Great rooms, big kitchens, and main floor masters are common.
- Ryan interiors have efficient layouts that utilize space well, but don’t emphasize expansive rooms with huge ceilings. 8-foot ceilings are more typical.
Drees interior designs feel higher-end and customize while Ryan sticks to simpler, efficient layouts.
Customization: Drees Vs. Ryan
One major difference between these builders is how much customization they offer home buyers during the design process.
Drees Home Customization
- Drees allows buyers to fully customize their home by selecting from various architectural styles, changing structural layouts, and picking premium materials and finishes.
- You can upgrade everything from flooring to cabinets to lighting fixtures as well as modify room sizes, add features like bay windows, and more.
- Drees’ design consultants work closely with buyers to personalize each home.
Ryan Home Customization
- Ryan Homes offers more limited customization options – you can upgrade flooring, cabinets, fixtures, etc. but can’t drastically modify home footprints or layouts.
- They offer a selection of predetermined structural and design options but don’t allow extensive customization because they utilize streamlined production building.
- Choice are limited to what Ryan offers, not necessarily what you envision.
Drees is the clear winner when it comes to customization flexibility for personalization. Ryan has upgrade options but within set parameters.
Quality & Construction: Materials and Workmanship
The quality of materials and workmanship that go into building the home are very important for buyers to research.
Drees Home Construction Quality
- Drees places emphasis on quality craftsmanship, utilizing hardwood floors, granite countertops, high-end appliances and plumbing fixtures as standard features in most homes.
- Their homes have a luxury feel, with great attention to detail on moldings, built-ins, tile backsplashes and more. Finishes are meant to elevate the home’s style.
- Buyers praise the quality construction and thorough oversight by Drees supervisors during each phase of building.
Ryan Home Construction Quality
- Ryan Homes uses more affordable and modest finishes to provide value pricing, including carpet, laminate floors, Formica countertops, and standard Whirlpool appliances as baseline options.
- Their homes are well-constructed but may lack custom details and upgrades that set luxury homes apart. Some buyers report quality inconsistencies.
- As a large national builder, Ryan relies more on production construction methods to drive efficiency. This can result in some construction issues with less oversight.
In terms of craftsmanship and materials, Drees offers superior quality, while cost-conscious buyers find value in Ryan’s more basic finishes and build methods.
Also Read: Comparison of Clayton Homes And Palm Harbor.
Warranties: Protection for Home Buyers
Understanding the included structural and system warranties is important for all new construction buyers. We’ll compare coverage from Drees and Ryan:
Drees Home Warranties
- 1-year workmanship warranty – this covers defects and flaws in workmanship on the home.
- 2-year systems warranty – this covers defects related to plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.
- 10-year structural warranty – this covers any structural defects like issues with the roof, foundation, framing, etc.
Ryan Home Warranties
- 1-year workmanship warranty
- 2-year systems warranty
- 10-year structural warranty
The warranty terms offered by Drees and Ryan are identical. Coverage spans one year for workmanship, two years for systems, and 10 years for structural components. This is standard for most production builders.
For serious issues like foundation damage, the 10-year structural coverage provides helpful protection. But minor flaws must be identified quickly before the 1-year workmanship warranty expires.
Resale Value: Drees Vs. Ryan
A major factor for buyers to consider is how well their new home will retain its value over time when they eventually sell.
Drees Home Resale Value
- Drees homes often have higher than average resale values in their regional markets thanks to their quality finishes, desirable locations, and reputation.
- Even with normal depreciation, they hold value better than other builders and tend to have high demand when re-sold.
- Custom features and luxury details allow Drees homes to command strong prices on the resale market.
Ryan Home Resale Value
- Ryan Homes tend to have average or slightly below average resale value compared to the broader market.
- Their production construction methods and more affordable finishes don’t necessarily translate to higher resale value.
- Location has a greater impact on resale price for Ryan than brand reputation or construction quality.
Drees homes are the better long term investment, but Ryan provides solid value especially for first-time homeowners building equity.
Also Read: Comparison of Ryan Homes And Eastwood Homes.
Customer Satisfaction: Owner Reviews
Reading home buyer reviews provides helpful insight into the builder’s quality, service, and overall satisfaction.
Drees Home Owner Reviews
- On consumer sites like Zillow and Facebook, Drees earns positive 4 and 5 star ratings from most buyers.
- Homeowners highlight the quality of construction and finishes along with customization flexibility as major strengths.
- Many say their home is beautiful, unique, and a dream to live in. Drees service earns rave reviews.
Ryan Home Owner Reviews
- Ryan Homes earns more mixed 3 star ratings on average. Some buyers are very satisfied but others report issues.
- Communication problems, construction delays, and defects requiring repairs are more commonly cited.
- When things go smoothly, buyers praise Ryan’s value. But the production process can lead to frustrations for some owners.
Drees Homes receives higher marks for quality, service and customization – but also costs more. Ryan appeals to budget buyers despite some drawbacks.
Wrapping Up
In this detailed guide, we’ve compared Drees Homes and Ryan Homes across all of the most important factors for new home construction. Here are some key takeaways:
Drees Homes is the best choice for buyers who want:
- Full customization flexibility – you can personalize every aspect of the home’s design.
- Luxury-quality finishes and details like hardwood floors, granite, and high-end appliances.
- Better resale value thanks to their reputation for quality and desirability.
- Great customer service throughout the building process.
Ryan Homes is ideal for buyers who want:
- An affordable to mid-range priced newly built home.
- A selection of predetermined floor plans and upgrade options.
- Solid construction with more basic finishes to keep costs down.
- A smooth build process with a reliable national builder.
Whichever you choose, both Drees and Ryan construct energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of today’s homeowners. But there are clear differences between these two builders’ strengths and target demographics.
Consider your budget, preferences, and goals carefully to decide if Drees or Ryan is the best home builder for your next project!