When it comes to choosing a luxury home builder for your custom estate or luxury community, GL Homes and Toll Brothers are two of the top names in the industry. Both companies have decades of experience building stunning luxury properties across the United States.
But when it comes to quality, features, customization options, and overall value, which builder comes out on top?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare GL Homes and Toll Brothers in depth so you can make the best choice for your next luxury home. We’ll look at company history and reputation, home styles and floor plans, customization options, construction quality, customer service, amenities, sustainability efforts, pricing and value, and more.
Whether you’re looking to build on an individual lot or buy in an established luxury community, understanding these key differences between GL Homes and Toll Brothers will ensure you end up with the perfect high-end home for your needs.
| Aspects | GL Homes | Toll Brothers |
| Company History | Founded in 1976 in Florida. Privately-held. | Founded in 1967. Publicly traded company. |
| Location | Florida and North Carolina | Luxury communities in over 20 states nationwide. |
| Home Styles | Mediterranean, coastal, and contemporary designs. Mostly single-family homes. | American traditional, French provincial, urban modern, and more. Single-family, condos, communities. |
| Customization | Homes are largely customized. Work with designers 1-on-1. | Significant customization available. More formulaic designs. |
| Quality & Reviews | Positive reputation for quality construction and service. | Known for high-quality construction and materials. Mixed reviews of customer service. |
| Sustainability | Not a major focus. Offer some energy-efficient options. | Green design initiatives available for sustainability-focused buyers. |
| Amenities | Luxury amenities in communities like pools, golf courses, and more. | Lavish community amenities and concierge services in many communities. |
| Prices | $1 million – $4 million per home on average. | $800,000 – $6 million+ for homes. Higher prices than GL on average. |
Home Design Styles Comparison of GL Homes And Toll Brothers
When you buy a luxury home from GL Homes or Toll Brothers, you can choose from a portfolio of high-end home plans and designs.
GL Homes offers three distinctive categories of new construction luxury homes:
- Mediterranean style: Characterized by stucco exteriors, barrel tile roofs, arches, and an open flowing layout.
- Coastal style: Features natural woods, lots of windows, and transitional designs that blend indoor and outdoor living spaces.
- Contemporary style: Clean lines, modern materials, and expansive windows create a sleek, contemporary aesthetic.
Homes are largely customized, allowing buyers to put their own stamp on these stunning luxury designs.
Toll Brothers provides an even wider array of luxury home design styles, including:
- American traditional
- French provincial
- Mediterranean
- Coastal
- Country French
- Urban modern
- Traditional manor
- Contemporary
Along with single-family homes, Toll Brothers also builds luxury condos and full master-planned communities. Their home designs range from sprawling estates to luxury urban condos.
While customization is available, Toll Brothers offers a more formulaic approach to luxury living compared to the boutique GL Homes experience.
Customization Options Comparison
One of the biggest advantages of building a luxury custom home is the ability to customize it to fit your lifestyle. When it comes to customization, GL Homes edge out Toll Brothers.
GL Homes treats each new construction home as a fully customized project.
Buyers work one-on-one with a Designer to tailor every aspect of the home to their specifications.
With comprehensive modifications encouraged, you can fully personalize your GL Home.
Toll Brothers also offers personalized luxury living through their Design Studio experience.
Buyers can select from designer features, finishes, fixtures to customize their new home.
However, Toll Brothers designs tend to be more prescribed, with modifications allowed within set parameters. So customization opportunities are more extensive with GL Homes.
Quality & Construction Comparsion
With new luxury homes starting at around $1 million from these builders, you expect only the highest quality construction and materials. Both GL Homes and Toll Brothers deliver exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail worthy of the luxury price point.
GL Homes uses only the finest materials – hardwood floors, granite countertops, high-end fixtures, and top brand appliances. Their construction process is overseen by expert project managers and tradespeople.
Homes are built to high structural standards for durability.
Likewise, Toll Brothers utilizes premium materials and pays meticulous attention to quality construction. Their homes are designed for longevity, with hardwood floors, stone and tiled baths, designer kitchens, and more.
When it comes to home inspections, both GL Homes and Toll Brothers have good reputations for addressing any issues or defects to the buyer’s satisfaction. Backed by warranties, these luxury homes are designed to last.
Between the two builders, there’s no clear winner on quality. Both GL Homes and Toll Brothers exemplify luxury home construction that’s meant to stand the test of time.
Customer Service Comparison
The home building process involves big investment and many critical decisions. That makes responsive, supportive customer service essential in luxury home building.
GL Homes retains a sterling reputation when it comes to customer care. Because they operate on a smaller, local scale, GL Homes provides personalized service that caters to each buyer’s needs. Many buyers rave about the exceptional service they receive throughout the process.
With Toll Brothers operating on a corporate scale, customer service feedback is more mixed. While some buyers report great experiences, others feel they received subpar communication and responsiveness from the Toll Brothers team.
Based on customer reviews, GL Homes is the winner for best customer care. Their localized approach with attentive Designers provides a truly bespoke home buying experience. Toll Brothers service can be more inconsistent due to their more corporate structure.
Sustainability Initiatives
For eco-conscious luxury buyers, green design and sustainability initiatives play an increasingly important role.
When comparing their efforts in this realm, Toll Brothers leads the pack.
Toll Brothers offers a range of green options aimed at environmentally friendly and energy-efficient homes.
Through their Toll Architecture Design Studio, buyers can select eco upgrades like solar roof tiles, electric car chargers, stormwater retention, and more.
Their home communities also utilize smart irrigation and landscaping.
Though GL Homes uses energy-efficient materials in their luxury homes, they do not promote sustainability and eco-living as part of their brand image. Their luxury homes focus more on aesthetics and lifestyle than environmental impact.
If building an eco-friendly dream home is your priority, Toll Brothers has a clear advantage with their national sustainability program. GL Homes offers some efficient home options but has fewer green amenities to choose from.
Luxury Amenities
Beyond the home itself, luxury communities built by GL Homes and Toll Brothers offer lavish amenities for resort-style living.
In their master-planned communities, GL Homes creates a network of luxury facilities focused on the Florida and North Carolina lifestyles. Think sparkling pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, tennis courts, and scenic walking trails.
Their amenity complexes become hubs for community residents to gather.
Toll Brothers also excels at crafting amenity-rich communities centered around luxury living. Resort pools, golf courses, clubhouses, and more provide built-in recreation. Gated communities have features like 24/7 guarded entrances and private parks. Their townhomes and condos offer hotel-inspired amenities.
Both builders provide plenty of amenities to complement their exceptional individual homes. Which builder has the edge depends on the specific lifestyle you’re looking for. With GL’s coastal Florida and North Carolina communities or Toll’s range of luxury developments nationwide, you’re sure to find the high-end amenities that speak to you.
Pricing and Value Comparison
When it comes to buying a luxury home, price always plays a role. In general, Toll Brothers commands higher prices compared to GL Homes.
The average price range for a GL Home is $1 million to $4 million. That buys you a fully customized single-family estate home on an individual lot tailored to your specifications. Their private communities with shared amenities start on the lower end around $1 million.
Toll Brothers communities nationwide see new home pricing from $800,000 up to $6 million and beyond.
Their homes on average run higher than GL Homes.
Keep in mind, Toll Brothers offers condos and built communities in major metro areas where prices run well over $1 million.
They also construct mega-mansions on large estates.
Both GL Homes and Toll Brothers deliver exceptional construction quality and features at these luxury price points. With Toll Brothers, you’re paying for their national brand cache on top of luxury living.
GL Homes provides outstanding value with their boutique approach to personalized luxury homes and communities.
Which Builder Is The Right Choice?
So when it comes to choosing between luxury home building giants GL Homes and Toll Brothers, how do you decide what’s right for you?
Here are some key questions to consider:
- Do you want a fully customized home or are preset designs acceptable? GL Homes if you want to personalize every aspect.
- What design styles are you drawn to? GL for Mediterranean, coastal, and contemporary. Toll for a huge portfolio of luxury looks.
- Are green design and sustainability features a priority? Toll Brothers has more green options.
- Do you expect white-glove customer service? GL Homes is known for incredible customer care.
- Are you looking for a metropolitan high-rise community? Toll caters more to urban luxury living.
By weighing your priorities in areas like customization, home styles, amenities, and lifestyle, you can determine whether GL Homes or Toll Brothers is the best fit for your dream luxury home.
Tour model homes, speak to real buyers, and evaluate communities under consideration. While both builders excel at luxury living, finding the one that fits your individual needs is key.
The good news is that with either GL Homes or Toll Brothers, you can trust that your new high-end home will be an exceptional masterpiece bringing luxury living for years to come.
Both builders can translate your vision into an exquisite custom estate you’ll be proud to call home.
Also Read: Possible Reasons Why Toll Brothers Homes So Expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, GL Homes is known for outstanding construction quality and luxury finishes in all their homes. They use only premium materials selected for beauty and durability. With over 40 years of experience perfecting high-end home building, GL Homes delivers exceptional value. Their reputation for quality is reflected in their tens of thousands of satisfied luxury home buyers.
According to industry surveys, Toll Brothers consistently ranks among the top luxury home builders in quality and buyer satisfaction across the United States. Along with high marks for their beautifully-crafted luxury homes, buyers praise Toll Brothers’ portfolio of luxury home designs and their amenities-rich community experiences.
GL Homes is viewed as a prime competitor of Toll Brothers for luxury home buyers in Florida where both companies build stunning homes and communities. Lennar and Pulte Homes also compete with Toll Brothers in many of their upscale markets around the country.
D.R. Horton tops the list as the number one home builder in America by volume, constructing over 65,000 homes in 2021. While not focused on luxury homes, D.R. Horton builds across entry-level, move-up, and premium categories. Toll Brothers leads among national publicly-traded builders focused on the luxury home market.
Wrapping Up
GL Homes and Toll Brothers represent the pinnacle of luxury living, from breathtaking single-family estates to amenity-rich communities. Comparing these two exceptional builders on history, quality, service, and lifestyle revealed nuances that set them apart.
Key takeaways include:
- Both construct stunning bespoke homes worthy of the luxury designation
- GL Homes edges out for personalized service and customization
- Toll Brothers excels at luxury living on a national scale
- Each builder brings unique lifestyle perks to residents
For the ultimate luxury home tailored to your vision of high-end heaven, GL Homes and Toll Brothers deliver exceptional quality, features, and service. Choosing between these two industry leaders means identifying the perfect fit based on your priorities.
With a home built by either iconic luxury brand, you can rest assured knowing a dream home awaits.