When it comes to new home construction in the United States, KB Home and D.R. Horton stand out as two of the biggest players. As the #1 and #2 homebuilders in the country respectively, KB Homes and D.R. Horton have each delivered tens of thousands of new homes to American families over the years.
But how exactly do these home building giants stack up against each other? That’s what we’ll explore in this comprehensive comparison of KB Homes and D.R. Horton. We’ll look at key factors like pricing, design options, amenities, quality ratings, company background, and more to see how these builders match up.
A Brief Comparison Table
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick overview of how KB Homes and D.R. Horton stack up:
| Aspects | KB Homes | D.R. Horton |
| Homes Sold (2021) | Over 9,000 | Over 81,000 |
| Avg Home Size | 2,000 sqft | 2,100 sqft |
| Avg Base Price | $425,000 | $330,000 |
| Locations | 140+ communities across US | 90+ markets across 26 states |
| Design Approach | Modern, open concept | Traditional, functional |
Now let’s explore some of these key factors and comparisons in more depth:
Key Differences Between KB Homes And D.R. Horton
- Pricing
One of the biggest differences between KB Homes and D.R. Horton is pricing. On average, KB Homes cost significantly more than D.R. Horton.
KB Homes markets itself as a builder of premium, quality new homes. Their average base home price is around $425,000. That puts them solidly in the move-up buyer and luxury home segment.
D.R. Horton has a more value-focused approach. Offering affordable entry-level and move-up homes, their average base price is around $330,000 – about $100k less than KB Homes.
So if budget is a primary concern, D.R. Horton is likely the more affordable choice in most markets. KB Homes caters more to buyers who place higher priority on amenities, upgrades, and luxury finishes.
- Design Styles
In addition to price differences, KB Homes and D.R. Horton have distinct design philosophies:
KB Home Design Style
- Modern, open concept floor plans
- Upscale finishes and features
- Focus on indoor/outdoor living
- Customization and personalization options
D.R. Horton Design Style
- Traditional, compartmentalized layouts
- Standard finishes and features
- Emphasis on functionality over form
- More limited customization options
KB Homes aims for a contemporary, stylish aesthetic with flexible open spaces and connections between indoor and outdoor areas.
Their homes typically feature high-end finishes like quartz countertops, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and smart home technology.
D.R. Horton prioritizes practicality and efficiency in their floor plans. They offer a mix of craftsman, farmhouse, and suburban-style homes with more compartmentalized rooms, standard finishes, and less emphasis on custom upgrades.
- Quality Reputation
When it comes to home quality, both KB Homes and D.R. Horton get mixed reviews from homeowners.
KB Homes is known for their luxury features and finishes. However, some have reported issues with rushed construction timelines leading to defects like leaky roofs, cracked tiles, and sticking doors and drawers. Their overall homeowner satisfaction rating is about 3.5 out of 5 stars.
D.R. Horton has faced complaints about plumbing leaks, foundation cracks, electrical issues, and other defects. As the nation’s largest homebuilder churning out tens of thousands of houses per year, quality control has been a challenge. Their satisfaction rating averages around 3 out of 5 stars.
So while both builders have room for improvement, KB Homes does seem to edge out D.R. Horton when it comes to overall build quality based on homeowner feedback. But quality can vary significantly depending on the local division.
- Amenities
What about community amenities outside the home?
KB Homes communities typically feature a decent selection like playgrounds, swimming pools, parks, and walking trails. Some higher-end communities have amenities like sports courts, clubhouses, fitness centers, and golf courses.
D.R. Horton communities tend to have simpler amenities like small playgrounds, picnic areas, and pocket parks. Some have swimming pools and multi-use sport courts as well. Overall though, their amenities don’t match the variety and luxury offered by KB in many cases.
- Customization Options
One area where KB Homes shines is customization. They offer their homebuyers a lot more flexibility in personalizing their new home compared to D.R. Horton.
KB Homes allows buyers to not only select floor plans, but also customize home layouts, fixtures, finishes, cabinets, countertops and more. Their online Studio Experience lets buyers conceptualize and visualize their design choices.
D.R. Horton offers a more rigid builder-spec process. Homebuyers get to pick from a set of pre-determined options for things like flooring, cabinets, and countertops. But custom structural changes are typically not possible.
So KB Homes is the clear choice for buyers who value the ability to put more personal touches on their home.
- Locations & Availability
In terms of geographic availability, D.R. Horton has the edge. They build homes in over 90 markets across 26 states, centered mainly in Texas, Florida, and the Southeast.
KB Homes operates in about half as many metro areas – primarily focused out West and in the Sunbelt. They have communities in around 140 locations in over 20 states.
When it comes to inventory availability, D.R. Horton also wins out. As the nation’s largest builder, they have the economies of scale to churn out tens of thousands more homes per year than KB Homes. So buyers looking for quick move-in may have better luck finding a D.R. Horton home ready to go.
- Company Background
A quick look at the history and track records of these builders:
KB Home
- Founded in 1957 in Southern California
- #1 builder of new homes in the US
- Delivered over 680,000 homes since inception
- Focus on sustainability and environmental initiatives
D.R. Horton
- Founded in 1978 in Texas
- #2 builder of new homes in the US
- Delivered over 2 million homes since inception
- Emphasis on affordability, scale, and streamlined processes
While both have long track records, KB edges out D.R. Horton in longevity by over 20 years. And they’ve pioneered more leading-edge housing developments like master-planned and mixed-use communities.
Pros and Cons Comparison KB Homes And D.R. Horton
To summarize the key advantages and disadvantages:
KB Homes
Pros
- More contemporary, open floor plan designs
- Focus on high-end finishes and features
- Excellent customization and personalization options
- Higher-end community amenities in many neighborhoods
Cons
- Significantly higher prices
- Smaller geographic presence – fewer locations nationwide
- Mixed reviews on overall home quality
D.R. Horton
Pros
- Great value – more affordable price points
- Larger presence in more markets across US
- Faster starts and more inventory availability
Cons
- Traditional and less stylish home designs
- Less customization options for homebuyers
- Lower-end standard finishes and features
- Mediocre reputation for build quality
So in summary, KB Homes wins for contemporary design, luxury features, and customization while D.R. Horton wins for value, availability, and geographic reach. It comes down to personal priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
KB Homes main competitors are: Lennar, PulteGroup, D.R. Horton, Toll Brothers, Taylor Morrison.
As the #1 new home builder nationally, KB Homes competes directly with these other large publicly traded builders. Lennar and PulteGroup are closest in size and sales volume to KB Homes.
The typical construction timeline for a KB home is 6-9 months from groundbreaking to completion. Actual timelines vary based on home size, customization, area demand, permitting, and other factors. KB Homes has systems to streamline timelines as much as possible.
D.R. Horton’s biggest competitors include: Lennar, KB Homes, PulteGroup, Meritage Homes, Toll Brothers.
As the largest homebuilder in the US, D.R. Horton competes most directly against the other national publicly traded builders. Lennar is their closest competitor in terms of size and sales volume.
The KB in KB Home stands for Kaufman & Broad. This refers to the company’s two original founders – Eli Broad and Donald Kaufman. The company was started in Detroit in 1957 as Kaufman & Broad Home Corporation before rebranding to KB Home in 2001.
Wrapping Up
When comparing KB Homes and D.R. Horton, there are clear trade-offs. KB Homes brings higher-end design, finishes and customization while D.R. Horton brings affordability, availability, and broad market reach.
Key factors for new home buyers to consider are budget, design priorities, customization options, quality, amenities, and location availability. Reviewing pros and cons can help match specific builder strengths to personal preferences.
Ultimately there is no definitive “winner” between KB Homes and D.R. Horton. The right builder comes down to aligning priorities with the relative advantages of each. And in many markets, buyers have access to both KB and D.R. Horton communities, providing options to get the best combination of value, quality, and customization.