When it comes to building a new home, Schumacher Homes and America’s Home Place are two of the most well-known national home builders to consider.
But with so many options out there, how do you decide which company is right for your new construction project?
This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between Schumacher Homes and America’s Home Place when it comes to quality, customization, affordability, and more. We’ll provide an in-depth look at the pros and cons of each home builder to help you make the best decision.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Schumacher Homes | America’s Home Place |
| Quality & Craftsmanship | Higher standards for durability and longevity | Good but may cut some corners |
| Customization Options | Extremely flexible – make highly customized designs | Limited customization available |
| Affordability & Pricing | $250K+ for homes with luxury finishes and features | Starts in low $100Ks for basic starter homes |
| Home Styles & Designs | Variety of elegant, contemporary floor plans | Mainly simple single-story ranch styles |
| Locations & Availability | National builder but limited local options, possible waits | Only in Southeast but more communities locally, often quick inventory |
| Customer Service | White-glove, very hands-on approach | Good “down-home” service feel |
| Warranties | 10 years structural, 2 years systems and workmanship | 10 years structural only, pay extra for 10 year systems |
| Resale Value | Excellent long-term value and prestige | Holds value OK but less potential for appreciation |
Overview of Schumacher Homes
Founded in 1992, Schumacher Homes has built over 35,000 homes across the country.
They are known for their high-quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and wide range of floor plans.
Schumacher offers traditional two-story designs as well as one-story homes for empty nesters.
Home sizes typically range from 1,500 to over 4,500 square feet. One of their standout features is the customization options – you can truly personalize your home’s layout, features, finishes, and more. Their homes utilize quality materials like James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Schumacher Homes has won multiple awards for being one of the nation’s top home builders.
Overview of America’s Home Place
Operating since 1982, America’s Home Place has constructed tens of thousands of homes nationwide. They are best known for their affordability and inventory of smaller homes.
America’s Home Place offers ranch-style one-story floor plans ranging from just under 1,000 square feet up to around 2,400 square feet. This makes them a great option for empty nesters, retirees, or first-time home buyers on a budget. Their homes feature vinyl siding and gypsum wallboard interiors.
America’s Home Place allows some customization like choosing finishes, but less so than Schumacher. They’ve also won awards for their excellent customer service.
Key Differences Between Schumacher Homes And America’s Home Place
- Quality & Craftsmanship
One of the biggest factors to weigh is the overall quality and craftsmanship of the homes.
Schumacher Homes constructs all their homes with great attention to detail and only the best materials. Their high standards ensure every home is built to last. Schumacher scrutinizes each step of the construction process – from framing all the way to finish details.
They use real tongue-and-groove plywood, thicker lumber dimensions, OSB shear panels for added strength, and sturdy roof trusses engineered to withstand heavy snow loads. All this results in a very high-quality, durable home.
America’s Home Place uses decent materials and building practices, but may cut some corners compared to Schumacher. Their wall framing generally utilizes thinner lumber and they skip shear panels for structural reinforcement.
Their roofs have trusses, but they are not engineered for heavy snow. Overall, their homes are reasonably well-built but not to the higher standards of Schumacher.
So when it comes to craftsmanship and durability, Schumacher Homes is the clear winner. Their meticulous construction methods ensure your home will stand the test of time.
- Customization & Personalization
One of the most exciting parts of a new home build is being able to customize and personalize it. So how much flexibility do Schumacher and America’s Home Place offer?
Schumacher Homes is all about customization from start to finish. Their online Visualizer tool allows you to easily modify a base floor plan to create your ideal layout. Choose to add or remove walls, enlarge rooms, reconfigure the kitchen, move plumbing fixtures, and more.
Schumacher has an extensive list of structural options to really make their homes your own. Opt for a finished basement, three car garage, covered patio, and endless other additions.
When it comes to finishes and features, the sky’s the limit with Schumacher. Select from a huge array of exterior colors, roofing, siding, tile, cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, appliances and more.
Work with expert design consultants to craft your dream home down to every detail. This unmatched personalization is what Schumacher is known for.
America’s Home Place has a much more limited range of customization. You can choose from their set floor plans with few structural options. They offer some flexibility with finishes like selecting cabinet stain colors or vinyl siding shades, but not nearly as much as Schumacher.
America’s Home Place homes are more pre-determined with set specs and less room for personalization.
So if you want a truly customized home, Schumacher is the clear frontrunner. Their seemingly endless options for personalization let you put your unique stamp on every part of your home’s design.
- Affordability & Value
One of the other big factors is cost. How affordable are Schumacher Homes versus America’s Home Place?
America’s Home Place tends to be the more budget-friendly choice. Their homes start in the low $100,000s and go up to the $200,000s. This makes them an attractive option for first-time or move-down buyers wanting new construction on a tight budget.
Their smaller, straightforward home designs allow them to keep base prices low. America’s Home Place provides decent value, especially if you don’t need a ton of upgrades or extras.
Schumacher Homes commands a higher price point, with base models starting in the $250,000s and going up into the $400,000s. The higher cost reflects their exceptional quality and customization.
Schumacher includes many luxury features and top-notch finishes as standard that would be upgrades with other builders.
So you get excellent value for what you pay. Large homes with endless upgrades will run into the millions.
But Schumacher offers excellent financing options to keep their homes affordable.
While America’s Home Place has lower upfront costs, pricing out a Schumacher with all the upgrades you want may not be much more.
And you get a fully customized home built to last. But America’s Home Place is likely the way to go if you need to stay under a max budget.
- Home Styles & Designs
Schumacher and America’s Home Place also differ quite a bit when it comes to home styles and designs.
Schumacher Homes offers luxury homes with elegant exteriors and contemporary open floor plans. They have a wide selection of two-story designs plus single-story homes geared towards empty nesters. Sizes run from cozy cottages to sprawling estates over 6,000 square feet.
Their floor plans feature gourmet kitchens, main floor masters, expansive great rooms, bonus spaces, and more. Exteriors showcase charming accents like stone, brick, and board&batten. Schumacher’s designs range from traditional to modern to suit varied tastes.
America’s Home Place focuses mainly on single-story ranch homes ranging from snug to spacious. Their uncomplicated floor plans cater to retirees, singles, and couples. Interiors highlight roomy living areas, ample bedrooms and baths, eat-in kitchens, and flex spaces.
Exteriors are generally simple with vinyl siding, shutters, and basic landscaping. Their affordable designs lack some of the elegance and amenities of Schumacher’s upscale homes. But they offer reasonably styled homes for more budget-conscious buyers.
So Schumacher takes the lead with their inspired designs, luxury details, and flexibility of styles. But America’s Home Place provides simpler, more affordable options some may prefer.
- Locations & Availability
You also need to consider location and availability when choosing between Schumacher and America’s Home Place.
Schumacher Homes has new home communities scattered across 25 states, mostly concentrated east of the Mississippi. So they have a wide reach but more limited local options. In a given area, they may only have one or two communities currently building.
Homes under construction are typically sold, so availability is constrained. Schumacher builds quality over quantity, which limits selections but ensures attention to detail. There may be a longer wait for your preferred home style or location.
America’s Home Place operates in just 12 southeastern states but builds multiple communities in each. So they have a smaller region but ample choices within it. America’s Home Place constructs homes on a larger scale, so they often have quick-move-in inventory available.
Wait times are shorter since homes don’t sell out as fast. There’s a better chance of finding a home you like ready Now versus waiting months for construction. But you may need to compromise on location.
Ultimately Schumacher Homes offers nationwide reach but less selection regionally. America’s Home Place provides more community choices locally but only in the Southeast. Availability varies, so check both builder’s current listings in your target area.
- Customer Service
The home building process involves working closely with your chosen builder, so customer service is crucial. How do Schumacher and America’s Home Place compare?
Schumacher Homes earns rave reviews for their exceptional customer experience. They assign homeowners a personal Building Manager who oversees the entire process and can answer any questions. Schumacher’s design consultants take time to understand your vision and bring it to life.
Their quick response times and hands-on approach result in a smooth, enjoyable building experience. Many comment on their incredible attention to detail and quality control. Issues that do arise are resolved promptly. Schumacher’s outstanding customer service is a huge selling point.
America’s Home Place also boasts about their “We Care” level of service. Their smaller size allows staff to personally interact with each homeowner. Many appreciate their down-home approach and family feel. America’s Home Place makes the process low pressure and hassle-free.
They earn praise for transparent communication and responding quickly to any concerns. Overall, their customer experience is positive, though not quite as white-glove as Schumacher’s.
When it comes to working with homeowners, both builders aim to please. But Schumacher Homes goes above and beyond to craft an exceptional experience from start to finish. Their premium service is unmatched in the industry.
- Warranties & protections
The warranties and protections each company offers also matter for your peace of mind.
Schumacher Homes provides one of the strongest structural warranties in the industry. Their 10-year structural warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials. Roofing, siding, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and major systems are protected for two years. Appliances come with individual manufacturer warranties.
Schumacher stands behind their homes and promptly fixes any issues under warranty at no cost to you. Many owners comment on their responsive, transparent warranty service.
America’s Home Place includes a standard 10-year structural warranty. They offer an additional 10-year warranty on major systems for a fee. Workmanship and materials are covered for just one year. Appliance warranties vary.
Their warranties provide decent protection but not as extensive as Schumacher’s. Some homeowners report less than ideal warranty response times and resolution.
With their longer coverage periods and better service, Schumacher Homes is the winner when it comes to warranties and protections after you move in. Their robust coverage provides true peace of mind.
- Resale Value
Lastly, weigh how well these homes hold their value if you plan to sell.
Schumacher Homes are known to maintain their value very well. Their high-quality materials and workmanship allow the homes to age beautifully. Meticulous attention to detail ensures the homes show like new for years. Custom features and upgrades boost resale potential.
Since Schumacher neighborhoods have greater prestige, their resale values trend higher. Owners find their homes command top dollar when it’s time to sell.
America’s Home Place homes may not appreciate quite as strongly. Their simpler designs and value construction don’t necessarily wow potential buyers. Fewer upgrades and lower price points also limit value growth. But their homes do provide affordable options for the next buyer.
With proper care and maintenance, they can still sell for a reasonable return.
Schumacher Homes are clearly the winner when it comes to maximizing your home’s future resale value. Their outstanding quality ensures excellent long-term value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some of the top national home builders based on quality, service, and customer satisfaction include Schumacher Homes, David Weekley Homes, Taylor Morrison, Pulte Homes, and Highland Homes.
Currently D.R. Horton is the largest home builder in the United States based on the total number of homes constructed and sold each year. Lennar, Pulte Homes, and NVR Inc./Ryan Homes round out the top national builders by volume.
Schumacher Homes competitors include national builders such as David Weekley Homes, Taylor Morrison and Meritage Homes in the upscale, custom-design segment. They also compete with larger local custom builders operating in their markets.
The “best” home builder depends on your budget, location, and priorities. Top-rated nationwide builders known for quality, customization and service include Schumacher Homes, David Weekley Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Highland Homes. Always compare builders operating in your local market.
The Bottom Line
When weighing Schumacher Homes vs. America’s Home Place, Schumacher clearly comes out ahead in terms of quality, customization, service, and resale value. But America’s Home Place offers more budget-friendly options for buyers wanting new construction on a tighter budget.
Think carefully about which features are most important in your home building priorities. Take time to tour model homes by both builders in your target locations. Meet with sales staff to get a feel for their process and offerings.
This will help determine which builder is the best fit to construct your dream home. With the information provided in this guide, you can make an informed choice between Schumacher Homes and America’s Home Place.