If you’re in the market for a new home, chances are you’ve considered builders like Taylor Morrison and D.R. Horton. As two of the largest home construction companies in America, both have established reputations for building quality homes across the country. But how exactly do these industry titans compare?
When weighing the pros and cons of production home builders like Taylor Morrison and D.R. Horton, you’ll want to look at factors like:
- Company history and reputation
- Home design and floor plans
- Quality of construction and materials
- Customer service and warranties
- Available upgrades and customization
- Home technology integration
- Price points and affordability
- Locations and availability
To help make your decision easier, here’s an in-depth comparison of how Taylor Morrison and D.R. Horton stack up today:
At A Glance Comparison Table
| Aspects | Taylor Morrison | D.R. Horton |
| Year Founded | 1978 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Scottsdale, AZ | Arlington, TX |
| Homes Built Annually | 10,000+ | Over 55,000 |
| States | 29 states | 39 states |
| Average Size | 2,000-3,500 sq ft | 1,800-3,200 sq ft |
| Average Base Price | $300,000-$500,000 | $200,000-$400,000 |
| Architectural Styles | Mediterranean, Craftsman, Modern Farmhouse | Traditional, Craftsman, Colonial |
| Green Building Program | EcoSmart | Express Energy |
| Personalization Options | Very robust | More limited |
| Customer Service Reputation | Excellent | Mixed |
Now let’s take a deeper look at how these two prolific home builders compare across some of the key factors homebuyers care about most.
Key Differences Between Taylor Morrison And D.R. Horton
- Home Design and Floor Plans
Both builders offer a variety of architectural styles, from traditional to modern Farmhouse. Taylor Morrison is especially known for Mediterranean, Craftsman, and contemporary designs. D.R. Horton builds a lot of Craftsman, Colonial, and traditional homes.
In terms of size and layout, Taylor Morrison homes tend to run 2,000-3,500 square feet on average. Their floor plans focus on open concept living areas and ample storage. D.R. Horton’s homes are often a little smaller, averaging 1,800-3,200 square feet. Their floor plans also cater to modern lifestyles, just with fewer high-end finishes.
When it comes to personalization, Taylor Morrison excels through their robust customization options and designer studio showrooms.
Their Design Studio allows buyers to select from a wide array of interior finishes like flooring, cabinets, lighting, and paint. D.R. Horton offers more limited upgrades through their Express Personalization Studio. If completely customizing every detail of your home is important, Taylor Morrison has the edge.
- Quality of Construction and Materials
Taylor Morrison homes are built with great attention to detail and quality materials like HardiePlank siding and Pella windows and doors. While D.R. Horton uses decent standard materials, they’ve faced some complaints over inconsistent build quality.
Issues like leaky roofs, cracking drywall, and warped floors occasionally crop up in reviews.
Both builders back their homes with solid structural warranties. Taylor Morrison provides a 10-year structural warranty along with a 2-year warranty on workmanship and materials.
D.R. Horton includes a 10-year structural warranty and a 1-year workmanship warranty. Taylor Morrison’s longer materials coverage provides added peace of mind.
When it comes to energy efficiency, Taylor Morrison’s EcoSmart program promotes sustainability through ENERGY STAR certified features, water saving plumbing, and more. D.R. Horton’s Express Energy program offers similar energy-saving options.
Overall, Taylor Morrison gets the nod for construction quality, while both builders offer decent energy programs.
- Customer Service and Support
Taylor Morrison stands out for their exceptional customer service, which you’ll experience from home selection through your warranty period. They assign a customer care manager to each homebuyer, and many reviews rave about the personalized support. D.R. Horton gets more mixed reviews when it comes to service.
While some buyers have positive experiences, others report poor communication and delayed responses to warranty issues.
Taylor Morrison’s customer care and quality control give them a clear advantage over D.R. Horton for service. If having a builder who stands behind their homes is a priority, Taylor Morrison is likely the safer bet.
- Available Upgrades and Customization
As mentioned earlier, Taylor Morrison offers outstanding personalization through their robust Design Studio selections. Options include flooring, cabinets, lighting, countertops, paint colors and more. Their designers can help buyers create truly one-of-a-kind interiors.
D.R. Horton provides more limited upgrades through their Express Personalization Studio. Buyers can make predefined selections for flooring, cabinets, fixtures and paint. But the process involves far fewer decisions and less flexibility compared to Taylor Morrison’s studio.
For home technology, both builders partner with technology companies to offer smart home packages. However, Taylor Morrison also employs a Director of Smart Home Technology to help integrate the latest innovations.
If having an extensively customized home is important, Taylor Morrison is the winner for upgrades and tech.
Also Read: Differences Between Pulte Homes And Toll Brothers.
- Price Points and Affordability
As a premium builder, Taylor Morrison’s base prices tend to run $300,000 to $500,000.
Their highest priced homes can easily top $1 million in high-cost areas. In contrast, D.R. Horton’s entry-level homes start around $200,000 to $400,000 on average.
This makes them one of the most affordable national builders.
However, Taylor Morrison offers select communities with lower price points as well.
And their included features often surpass entry-level competitors, providing an upscale experience even at lower prices.
At the end of the day, D.R. Horton wins for base affordability. But Taylor Morrison provides better long-term value by pairing upscale finishes and service with competitive pricing. The right choice comes down to your budget and willingness to pay for premium quality.
- Locations and Availability
With homes in 39 states, D.R. Horton has the widest geographic presence by far. Taylor Morrison has operations in 29 states across the West, Southwest, Southeast and Midwest. So no matter where you’re moving, you’re more likely to find communities from both builders in that area.
Production schedules also favor D.R. Horton. As the country’s #1 homebuilder, they have the teams and infrastructure to complete tens of thousands of homes annually.
So if you need to close quickly, D.R. Horton improves your chances of moving into a new home within your timeframe. Taylor Morrison has less inventory at any given moment, so you may wait longer for construction.
When it comes to location flexibility and availability, D.R. Horton is hard to top. But Taylor Morrison communities are found throughout most regions too. So you really can’t go wrong with either choice.
Making The Right Builders Choice For You?
At the end of the day, choosing between Taylor Morrison vs. D.R. Horton comes down to your priorities:
- If you want a highly customized home with premium finishes, excellent service, and don’t mind paying more, Taylor Morrison is likely the winner.
- If budget is your top concern and schedule flexibility is critical, D.R. Horton offers outstanding affordability and availability.
- If you can live without fully customizing every home detail but still want quality construction, both builders will meet your needs.
Whichever builder you choose, be sure to tour model homes, speak with local sales teams, and read recent customer reviews. This will give you the best sense of that builder’s strengths and weaknesses in your area.
With two great options in Taylor Morrison and D.R. Horton, you really can’t make a bad choice!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Based on recent surveys and industry awards, Taylor Morrison stands out as one of the most trusted national home builder brands today. After operating for 45 years, they’ve earned an excellent reputation for quality construction, exceptional service, transparency with buyers, and standing behind their warranties.
Some of the top rated national home builders in 2023 include:
1. Taylor Morrison – Known for outstanding quality, service, customization, and customer satisfaction.
2. Toll Brothers – Luxury homes with premium materials and designs.
3. David Weekley Homes – Offers a highly customized experience within more attainable price points.
4. Tri Pointe Homes – Known for well-designed floor plans with lots of included features.
5. Highland Homes – Regional builder with superb ratings for customer service.
Based on overall customer satisfaction surveys, industry awards, and reputation, Taylor Morrison consistently ranks among America’s most trusted home builders. Their commitment to quality, service, transparency, and supporting homeowners has earned high marks from buyers and experts alike.
The “best” new home builder really depends on your priorities as a homebuyer. Top rated builders across different categories include:
1. Taylor Morrison – Best for quality and service
2. D.R. Horton – Best for affordability and availability
3. Toll Brothers – Best for luxury custom homes
4. Tri Pointe Homes – Best for great designs and features
5. David Weekley Homes – Best for customization on a budget
6. Highland Homes – Best regional builder for service
Doing your research and identifying the features most important to your home search will help you determine the best builder to meet your needs. Touring model homes and reading reviews is also key to making the right choice.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to nationally ranked home builders Taylor Morrison and D.R. Horton, buyers can feel confident choosing either brand for a high-quality new construction home.
Taylor Morrison excels at providing a premium, customized experience with outstanding service. D.R. Horton is hard to beat for budget-friendly pricing and availability.
By weighing your priorities like budget, design personalization, quality, service, and location, you can determine which builder is likely the better match for you. Carefully touring models and reading reviews will also provide great insight into the builder’s strengths and weaknesses in your local market.
With all this information in hand, you’ll be equipped to confidently pick the perfect new home builder and love your home for years to come.
