When it comes to new home construction in America, two names stand out from the rest – Toll Brothers and Pulte Homes. As the #1 and #2 largest home builders in the United States respectively, Toll Brothers and Pulte dominate the new construction home market.
Both companies build homes across the country and offer a range of home types and price points to suit different demographics. From luxury estates to starter homes, these builders aim to provide quality craftsmanship and great value.
But how exactly do Toll Brothers and Pulte compare?
This comprehensive guide examines the key similarities and differences between the two home building giants. We’ll analyze company history, home types, prices, locations, amenities, quality, and more to help you determine which builder is right for your needs.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Toll Brothers | Pulte Homes |
| Year Founded | 1967 | 1950 |
| Headquarters | Horsham, PA | Atlanta, GA |
| Homes Built Annually | Approx. 10,000 | Approx. 16,000 |
| Home Types | Luxury estates, single family homes, condos, apartments | Entry-level, move-up, luxury homes, condos |
| Locations | Over 50 markets across 24 states | Over 40 markets across 26 states |
| Average Home Price | $830,000 | $430,000 |
| Amenities | Gourmet kitchens, spa bathrooms, media rooms | Smart home tech, outdoor living areas |
| Quality & Craftsmanship | High-end details and finishes | More production-built homes |
| Customer Satisfaction | Mixed reviews | Positive reviews |
Now let’s explore these key factors in more depth.
Company History
Toll Brothers was founded in 1967 by brothers Robert and Bruce Toll in Pennsylvania.
The company started off building suburban homes before expanding nationally in the 1980s.
Today, Toll Brothers focuses on luxury homes and master-planned communities.
They offer estate homes, penthouses, and more premium housing options.
In contrast, Pulte Homes has been around even longer – since 1950 when William Pulte built his first home in Detroit, MI. Pulte focused on providing affordable homes for middle class buyers.
Over the decades, Pulte has expanded through acquisitions of other brands like Del Webb, DiVosta, and Centex. They now offer a diverse range of home types and prices across the country.
So while Toll Brothers has always targeted a more upscale audience, Pulte aims to provide quality new homes at various price points for a broader demographic.
Key Differences Between Toll Brothers And Pulte Homebuilders
- Home Types
As mentioned previously, Toll Brothers is known for luxury estates and large single family homes in golf course and resort style communities. Their home sizes typically range from 2,000 to over 10,000 square feet.
Pulte offers more versatility in their home offerings.
They provide everything from entry-level townhomes to luxury single family residences over 5,000 square feet.
First-time and move-up buyers can find affordable options like townhomes, duplexes, and smaller homes from Pulte.
The company also builds suburban single family homes in the 2,000 to 4,000 square foot range.
For luxury seekers, Pulte’s upscale brands like Del Webb cater to seniors while DiVosta focuses on high-end communities with premium fixtures and finishes.
So while Toll Brothers only operates in the luxury space, Pulte affords buyers much more flexibility across price points and home types.
- Locations
In terms of geographic presence, Toll Brothers and Pulte have each expanded nationwide over their long histories.
Toll Brothers is active in over 50 markets across 24 states. Some of their top markets include California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Similarly, Pulte builds homes in over 40 metro areas spanning 26 states. Some of their largest markets include California, Florida, Virginia, Arizona, Georgia, and Illinois.
Both companies focus on suburban style communities near major job centers and amenities. You’ll find Toll Brothers and Pulte homes sprouting up around cities like Dallas, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles and more.
So in terms of location availability, prospective buyers have plenty of options to find new construction from either builder around most major US metro areas.
- Prices
When it comes to home pricing, there is a pretty wide gulf between Toll Brothers and Pulte.
As a luxury home builder, the average Toll Brothers home costs around $830,000.
Their estates and penthouses can easily run into the multi-million dollar range.
Meanwhile, the average Pulte home sells for around $430,000 – just about half the cost of Toll Brothers properties.
Their townhome communities start in the $200,000s while larger single family homes run up to $1 million plus.
In general, Pulte caters to a larger segment of buyers thanks to their varied product lines spanning entry-level to luxury. Toll Brothers pricing puts their homes out of reach for many buyers.
Those with budgets over $750,000 will find suitable options from both builders. But buyers on tighter budgets will get more value from Pulte communities.
- Amenities
Inside and outside the homes, Toll Brothers and Pulte take slightly different approaches when it comes to amenities.
As you’d expect given their luxury focus, Toll Brothers loads their homes with high-end finishes and appointments. We’re talking gourmet kitchens with professional-grade appliances, spa-like bathrooms, media rooms, and more.
Pulte Homes takes a more mass market approach. You’ll find more standard features like stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, tile backsplashes, and hardwood floors even in their base models. Higher end options add on gourmet kitchens and smart home tech.
In terms of community amenities, both builders offer playgrounds, pools, parks, and clubhouses depending on the neighborhood. Overall, Toll Brothers amenities cater to those wanting luxury while Pulte provides sufficient features for everyday living.
- Quality & Construction
The biggest difference between Toll Brothers and Pulte lies in the quality and construction of the homes.
As you may expect, Toll Brothers is meticulous with their homes given the luxury price point. They make everything customized and high-end.
By contrast, Pulte operates more on a production homebuilder model. While their finishes and fixtures are plenty stylish for most buyers, some critique that their homes feel mass produced.
Toll Brothers’ quality assurance leads to less issues or callbacks once homeowners move in. With Pulte, some homebuyers report problems with things like leaky windows, flawed drywall, and improper drainage.
While Toll Brothers spends more time on thoughtful design and craftsmanship, Pulte prioritizes efficiency to deliver a lot of homes fast. So quality and construction differs quite a bit between the two builders.
- Customer Satisfaction
When it comes to homeowner happiness, reviews are somewhat mixed for Toll Brothers while Pulte earns positive ratings overall.
According to surveys, around 50% of Toll Brothers owners report problems with their home. Complaints involve poor quality, unfinished details, and unresponsive customer service.
Meanwhile, over 80% of Pulte homeowners say they would recommend the builder. They praise Pulte’s quality, customer service, and warranties.
There are some negatives for both builders – Toll Brothers for luxury design flaws and Pulte for mass production issues. But Pulte appears to satisfy a greater majority of their large homebuyer base.
So while Toll Brothers struggles to please their upscale owners, Pulte lives up to expectations by delivering quality mainstream homes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Pulte Homes is considered Toll Brothers’ biggest competitor as the next largest luxury homebuilder in the US. Lennar and DR Horton are other major production homebuilders that compete with Pulte.
Opinions are mixed on Toll Brothers. They are known for luxury details and finishes, but many homeowners report quality issues like imperfect drywall, leaky windows, and flaws in craftsmanship. They cater to upscale buyers but struggle with customer satisfaction.
According to owner surveys, Pulte Homes consistently earns high marks as the best national home builder. They satisfy over 80% of owners with positive reviews of their quality, value, and service. Other top rated builders include M/I Homes, Hayfield Homes, and Bloomingdale Homes.
Over the decades, Pulte has acquired many notable homebuilder brands:
1. Del Webb (active adult communities)
2. DiVosta Homes (luxury homes)
3. Centex Homes (production homes)
4. John Wieland Homes (upscale homes)
5. Shamrock Homes (luxury homes) These additions have allowed Pulte to expand their product offerings across multiple price points and home types.
Wrapping Up
When comparing Toll Brothers and Pulte Homes, there are clear trade-offs for new home buyers to consider.
For those focused strictly on luxury living and top-notch features, Toll Brothers is tough to beat. But be prepared to pay a premium price and potentially encounter some quality issues.
For buyers seeking quality construction with maximum flexibility on home style and budget, Pulte rises to the top. Their broad product line appeals to buyers across the spectrum.
Ultimately, your specific needs in a new home should dictate whether Toll Brothers or Pulte is the best fit. But weighing these key differences between the two leaders allows you to make an informed decision.
With their nationwide presence, industry-leading reputation, and focus on customer satisfaction, Pulte does seem to come out ahead as America’s premier homebuilder overall. Yet with careful evaluation of these top builders, you can feel confident in choosing the ideal new construction home.
