When it comes to new home construction in Texas, two big names stand out: Westin Homes and Highland Homes. Both companies have been building quality homes across the Lone Star State for decades, earning a reputation for craftsmanship, value, and customer satisfaction.
But while they have some similarities, Westin and Highland also have key differences that homebuyers should understand before making a decision. This comprehensive guide will compare and contrast Westin Homes and Highland Homes across a variety of factors, providing an in-depth look at what each builder has to offer.
Head-To-Head Comparison
| Factor | Westin Homes | Highland Homes |
| Locations and Communities | Primarily Houston area; also Dallas-Ft. Worth, Austin, and San Antonio | Central Texas focus including Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country |
| Home Designs and Floor Plans | Traditional and contemporary styles; wide range of floor plans | Stylish, modern designs; more limited floor plan options |
| Construction Quality and Features | Solid construction with wide array of standard features | High-quality materials and craftsmanship |
| Customization Options | Highly customizable; wide selection of upgrades and options | More pre-determined packages and bundles |
| Customer Service and Warranty | Strong reputation for customer service; thorough warranty | Positive reviews for service; 10-year structural warranty |
| Pricing and Affordability | Wide range from affordable to luxury; higher prices than Highland | Known for value; lower price points than Westin |
Key Differences Between Westin Homes And Highland Homes
Now let’s explore each of these comparison points more in depth.
- Locations and Communities
The biggest difference between Westin and Highland is their geographic footprints in Texas.
Westin Homes has a major presence in the Houston metro area, including communities in Houston proper as well as suburbs like Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Tomball, and Spring.
The builder also has operations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Austin, and San Antonio.
So for buyers focused on these major Texas cities, Westin will likely have communities and move-in ready homes available.
The builder is continually expanding, so new Westin communities are regularly launching.
Highland Homes takes a more centralized approach focused entirely on the Austin, San Antonio, and Hill Country regions. You’ll find Highland communities in cities like Austin, Kyle, Buda, Boerne, New Braunfels, and more.
The company does not currently build in Houston or DFW, so it won’t be an option if those are your target locations. But within their central Texas footprint, Highland has a strong presence in dozens of communities.
If you have flexibility on location within Texas, comparing the specific neighborhoods, amenities, schools, and commutes offered by Westin and Highland communities will help narrow your choice.
But for homebuyers set on a particular metro area, your location preference will likely determine whether Westin or Highland has homes available.
- Home Designs and Floor Plans
When browsing model homes and floor plans from Westin and Highland, you’ll notice differences in their design styles.
Westin Homes offers a wide range of architectural designs from traditional to contemporary. You’ll find classic two-story homes with coveted owner’s entries, sprawling one-story layouts, and compact patio homes. Their floor plans include 2-6 bedrooms with 1-4 bathrooms spanning from 1,300 to over 4,000 square feet.
Overall Westin provides tons of variety across their many communities. So whether you want a cozy starter home, spacious family-sized house, luxe estate, or anything in between, Westin likely has a floor plan to match.
Highland Homes takes a more consistent approach to their exterior and interior aesthetics.
Their home designs have a stylish, modern farmhouse feel with clean lines.
You’ll find light-filled open concept floor plans loaded with designer details.
Highland’s floor plans tend to be on the smaller side, with homes ranging from 1,300 to 3,000 square feet. Most have 3-5 bedrooms and 2-3.5 bathrooms. There are some two-story options but mainly single-story layouts.
If you love the modern farmhouse look and don’t need a mega-sized home, Highland’s plans will appeal. But for classical or ultra-contemporary designs, Westin will offer greater variety.
Be sure to review the specific floor plans available in your preferred communities to get a sense of each builder’s offerings where you want to live.
- Construction Quality and Features
You can expect solid construction and plenty of included features from both Westin and Highland.
Westin Homes uses quality materials like stone and brick paired with low maintenance Hardie siding. Their homes come loaded with features like granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, luxury vinyl plank flooring, and more. Westin also offers several bundled packages to upgrade finishes.
Highland Homes is also known for superior construction using Hardie Board and stone. High-end finishes like quartz countertops and designer tile backsplashes come standard. And they include desirable extras like Nest thermostats, keyless entries, and outdoor living areas.
In terms of energy efficiency, both builders offer well-insulated homes meeting the latest codes. Options like triple-pane windows, tankless water heaters, and smart home tech are available.
When touring model homes, be sure to take notes on the standard specs and finishes. This will help you evaluate and compare the construction quality and inclusions.
- Customization Options
One of the biggest perks of building a home from the ground up is the ability to customize it. This is an area where Westin and Highland differ significantly.
Westin Homes is all about personalization and offers tons of ways to customize your home.
When you sign an agreement, you work with a dedicated design consultant to select all your colors, finishes, and options.
You can pick from hundreds of upgrades like gourmet kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, home technology, outdoor living additions, and more.
Westin makes it easy to fully personalize your home during the design phase.
Highland Homes takes more of an à la carte approach but still offers flexibility. You can select from preset packages and bundles for the exterior, kitchen, baths, flooring, and other areas. There are also individual upgrades available.
However, Highland’s options are more limited than Westin’s expansive selections. You may not be able to customize as extensively with Highland, but you can still tailor your home.
For buyers who want total control over designing their dream home, Westin’s robust customization will appeal. But Highland’s curated bundles keep decision-making simple for buyers who want a personalized touch.
- Customer Service and Warranty
Strong customer service and post-purchase support are essential when building a home. Both Westin and Highland aim to make the process smooth for buyers.
Westin Homes gets rave reviews from homeowners who praise their excellent customer service. You’re assigned a project manager who oversees the entire build and is available to quickly answer questions and handle any issues.
Highland Homes also has outstanding ratings from customers applauding their responsive service teams. Their account managers provide consistent communication and support.
For warranties, Westin provides a one-year warranty on the entire home plus a two-year limited warranty on electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Highland offers a 10-year structural warranty. Both builders also enroll homes in a third-party 2-10 home warranty.
Overall, you can expect an exceptional customer experience with either company during and after your build. Both aim to make the process hassle-free.
- Pricing and Affordability
The final factor to compare is pricing and overall affordability. This includes base pricing, incentives, included features, and customization costs.
In general, Westin Homes sits at a higher price point than Highland.
Their homes range from around $300,000 on the low end to over $1 million for luxury homes.
Larger floor plans, high-end finishes, and abundant customizations all contribute to pushing Westin’s pricing upward.
Highland Homes maintains a focus on value, touting that they “build more home for the money.” Their base pricing starts closer to $200,000.
Even move-in ready Highland homes seldom exceed $500,000. More affordable prices come via their streamlined processes and included features.
Both builders offer incentives like closing costs assistance for qualifying buyers. But in general, Highland Homes is the more budget-friendly pick. Westin caters better to buyers wanting a fully customized upscale home.
Crunching the numbers for your preferred community, floor plan, and options will determine how pricing shakes out. But Highland’s overall lower price points give them the edge for affordability.
Wrapping Up
After reviewing this comprehensive comparison, you can better weigh the pros and cons of Westin Homes vs. Highland Homes in Texas.
Key takeaways include:
- Westin has a wider geographic reach while Highland focuses on central Texas
- Westin offers larger and more diverse floor plans and home styles
- Highland’s modern farmhouse designs appeal to certain homebuyers
- Both builders deliver quality construction but Westin offers more customization
- Highland provides strong value at lower price points than Westin
Ideally tour models, speak with sales agents, and run cost comparisons to decide between these reputable builders. Keep your location priorities, design tastes, budget, and customization desires in mind.
While Westin and Highland have differences, both provide outstanding service, warranties, and craftsmanship. Either builder will construct a home you can enjoy for years to come. Weigh the pros and cons most important for your lifestyle and home needs.