Should You Build Custom or Buy Production? The Honest Answer for Oregon Home Buyers

Stop Settling for Homes That Almost Work

You know that feeling when you’re looking at houses and nothing clicks? The kitchen’s too small. The layout makes no sense. There’s no good spot for a home office. Or maybe you found the perfect lot, but every builder wants to squeeze in the same boring floor plan that doesn’t fit the land.

This happens all the time in Salem and the Willamette Valley. And honestly, it’s why more people are just building custom instead.

What Custom Actually Means

Here’s the thing about custom homes. It’s not just about picking fancy countertops. It’s about building a house that actually works for how you live.

You get to design around your actual life. Love cooking for friends? Build a kitchen that makes sense for that. Work from home? Put your office where the light’s best. Have three kids who need their own space? Make it happen.

Your lot isn’t fighting your house. Got a weird-shaped property? Sloped land? Amazing views in one direction? A custom builder designs the house for that specific spot. Not the other way around.

You’re building something that lasts. Better materials. Energy-efficient design that actually lowers your bills. No cutting corners because some developer needed to hit a price point.

You don’t compromise. That’s really what it comes down to. You’re not picking the least-bad option from what’s available. You’re getting what you want.

RP Construction Gets It

If you’re building around Salem or the Willamette Valley, RP Construction keeps coming up in conversations. Randy Parsons has been doing this since 1999, and his company’s built a pretty solid reputation.

They’re upfront about costs. No hidden fees. They give you a full breakdown before anything starts. Which is huge, because budget surprises are the worst.

They know the area. Over 20 years of building here means they understand local permits, zoning, all that stuff that can slow projects down. They handle the paperwork so you don’t have to.

They focus on the process. Their whole approach is about making it less stressful. Regular check-ins. Clear updates. They want you to actually enjoy building your house.

They back up their work. 10-year structural warranty. They use quality materials and experienced craftsmen. Because they’re building houses that need to last, not just look good in photos.

Custom vs. Production Homes: The Honest Breakdown

Let’s be real about what you’re comparing here.

Factor	Production Homes	Custom Homes
Design Choices	Pick from 3-5 floor plans. Limited cabinet, countertop, and flooring options.	Design every room exactly how you want it. Choose materials at any quality level.
Materials	Builder-grade everything. Meets minimum standards but nothing special.	You decide the quality. Use materials that’ll last 30+ years or go budget-friendly. Your call.
Lot Compatibility	Same floor plan on every lot, whether it fits or not.	House is designed specifically for your lot’s shape, slope, views, and orientation.
Timeline	Fast. Move in within 3-6 months typically.	Slower. Expect 12-18 months from land purchase to move-in.
Cost	Lower upfront cost.	Usually 10-20% more upfront than comparable production home.
Long-term Value	Standard appreciation. More maintenance over time with builder-grade materials.	Better materials mean less maintenance. Energy-efficient design lowers monthly bills.
Personalization	Whatever the developer picked. You’re stuck with their choices.	Everything reflects how you actually live. No compromises.
Best For	Need to move in fast. Okay with good-enough. Not planning to stay long-term.	Building your long-term home. Want it done right. Value quality over speed.

The money question: Yes, custom costs more upfront. But you’re getting exactly what you want, and if you plan to stay long-term, that matters. Plus, better materials and design can mean lower energy bills and less maintenance.

Bottom line: If you need to move in fast and you’re okay with good-enough, production homes work. If you’re building your long-term home and you want it done right, custom makes more sense.

Small Choices That Make a Big Difference

You don’t need a million-dollar budget to make your custom home better. Some of the best decisions are pretty simple.

Window placement matters more than you think. Where you put windows changes everything. Morning light in the kitchen makes breakfast better. A window above the sink gives you something to look at while doing dishes. Cross-breeze from the right windows means you use AC less.

Electrical outlets and switches. This sounds boring, but think about it. Put outlets where you’ll actually use them. USB ports in the bedroom nightstands. Switches at both ends of hallways. Your future self will thank you.

Storage that makes sense. Don’t just add random closets. Think about what you’re storing. Deep pantry for bulk shopping? Mudroom cubbies for each kid? Garage storage that’s actually organized?

The flow between rooms. Can you carry groceries from the garage to the kitchen without going through three rooms? Can the kids get to their bathroom without walking through your bedroom? Small layout choices affect daily life.

Ceiling height in the right spots. You don’t need 10-foot ceilings everywhere. But in your main living area? Makes a huge difference. In the bedroom closet? Doesn’t matter.

Future-proofing. Add blocking in bathroom walls now so you can install grab bars later. Wire for EV charging even if you don’t have an electric car yet. Make doorways wide enough for a wheelchair, just in case. This stuff is cheap during construction, expensive to add later.

Outdoor connections. How does your house connect to your yard? A door from the kitchen to the deck makes sense if you grill. Big windows facing your best view. A covered patio in Oregon, obviously.

None of this is fancy. But these small choices add up to a house that just works better.

How Custom Building Actually Works

If you’ve never done this before, the process probably seems confusing. Here’s how it actually goes.

Step 1: Figure out what you want and what you can spend. Before you talk to anyone, get clear on your budget and your must-haves. What rooms do you need? What features matter most? What’s your realistic price range?

Step 2: Find your lot. You need land before you can design a house. Look for a spot that fits your lifestyle. Close to work? Good schools? Room for a garden? The lot shapes everything else.

Step 3: Pick your builder. This is huge. Interview a few builders. Look at their past work. Talk to their previous clients. Make sure they listen to what you actually want, not just what they always build.

Step 4: Design phase. You’ll work with the builder (and often an architect or designer) to create your floor plan. This takes a few weeks to a few months. You’ll revise things. That’s normal. Get it right now because changes later cost money.

Step 5: Permits and approvals. Your builder handles this. It takes a few weeks to a few months depending on your area. This is where having an experienced local builder matters. They know the system.

Step 6: Construction. This is the long part. For most custom homes, expect 6-12 months. Could be faster for smaller homes, longer for bigger or more complex ones. You’ll have regular check-ins with your builder to make decisions and see progress.

Step 7: Walk-throughs and final touches. Near the end, you’ll do walk-throughs to catch any issues. Your builder fixes them. Then you get your final inspection and certificate of occupancy.

Step 8: Move in. You’re done.

The timeline: From buying land to moving in, plan on 12-18 months total. Maybe faster if everything goes smooth. Maybe longer if you hit permitting delays or make changes mid-build.

Your involvement: You’ll be making decisions throughout. Especially in the design phase. Once construction starts, you’re mostly just checking in and making smaller choices about finishes and fixtures.

The money flow: Typically you pay in stages. Down payment when you sign. Payments at certain construction milestones. Final payment when it’s done. Your builder should be clear about this upfront.

It’s not complicated, but it does take patience. The payoff is getting exactly what you want.

Finding Someone Who Won’t Screw It Up

Okay, so you want to build custom. The next question is who’s going to do it.

And this matters a lot. Because this isn’t like hiring someone to paint your living room. This is probably the biggest financial decision you’ll make. You need someone who knows what they’re doing.

Look for actual experience. How long have they been building in this area? Can you talk to past clients? Can you see houses they’ve built?

Get real numbers upfront. Nothing kills a project faster than surprise costs halfway through. Good builders tell you what things actually cost before you start.

Make sure they actually communicate. You’re going to have questions. Lots of them. You need someone who picks up the phone and explains things clearly.

Check their work quality. Who’s doing the actual building? What materials do they use? This stuff matters when you’re living in the house 10 years from now.

For Custom Builders: Your Website Matters

You build great homes, but if your website looks outdated or doesn’t show your work well, you’re losing clients before they even call you.

Homeowners check you out online first. They want to see your projects, understand your process, and feel confident you’re the right builder. If your site doesn’t deliver that, they move on.

Custom Home Builder Web Design builds websites just for custom home builders. They know what works because it’s all they do.

Is Custom Right for You?

Building custom isn’t for everyone. It takes time. It takes planning. But if you’re tired of almost-right houses and you want something that actually fits your life, it might be worth exploring.

The best part? You end up with a home that’s actually yours. Not just another house that looks like every other house on the block.