Mattamy Homes Vs. Lennar – How do these Major Home Builders Compare?

When buying a new construction home, choosing the right builder is key. Mattamy Homes and Lennar are two of the largest homebuilders in North America, with communities across the United States and Canada. But how do these residential construction giants compare when it comes to quality, floor plans, customization options, pricing tiers, and overall homeowner satisfaction?

This in-depth guide examines all the important factors to consider when weighing Mattamy Homes Vs. Lennar for your next new build.

A Brief Comparison Table

AspectsMattamy HomesLennar
HeadquartersToronto, CanadaMiami, FL
Home TypesSingle-family, suburbsVariety from affordable to luxury
LocationsMainly northeast, southeast US20+ states nationwide
ConstructionCanadian standards, timber framingUS model codes, stick framing
CustomizationLimited changes after saleFull personalization available
Price Range$300K – $1M+$200K – $1M+
ReviewsPraise quality and serviceMixed on quality and service
Warranty2-year workmanship, 5-year structural1-year workmanship, 2-10 year structural
ProsQuality materials, efficient buildsAffordability, customization
ConsLimited locations, minimal customizationInconsistent quality and service

Overview of Mattamy Homes

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Toronto, Mattamy Homes has built over 100,000 homes across North America. They are focused on suburban single-family home communities with amenities.

Mattamy Homes
Mattamy Homes

Some quick facts on Mattamy Homes:

  • Operates in over 25 metro areas across the US and Canada.
  • Provides the single-family Home Town line and higher-end Manor Collection.
  • Home sizes range from 1,500 to 5,000+ square feet.
  • Touts quality craftsmanship and Canadian construction standards.
  • Offers limited structural warranties.

Overview of Lennar

Lennar was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Miami. As one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, Lennar has delivered over 835,000 homes across the country.

Here’s some background on Lennar:

  • Builds in around 20 states nationwide.
  • Operates under Lennar brand along with subsidiary builders.
  • Offers affordable, luxury, townhomes and 55+ active adult communities.
  • Home sizes from under 1,000 sq ft up to 5,000 sq ft plus.
  • Provides 1-year limited warranty coverage on defects.

Also Read: Comparison Between KB Homes And Lennar.

Key Differences Between Mattamy Homes And Lennar

Now that we’ve covered the builder basics, let’s compare Mattamy and Lennar’s offerings across several home buying factors:

1. Home Quality and Construction

When it comes to build quality, both Mattamy and Lennar have solid reputations overall. However, there are some differences.

Mattamy Homes Construction

  • Sticks to Canadian building code standards for sturdy, energy-efficient homes.
  • Installs double-pane windows, engineered wood I-joists, timber wall framing.
  • Spray foams attics for insulation and air sealing.
  • Uses 30-year asphalt shingles and Low-E windows.
  • Offers 9’ ceiling height on first floor.

Lennar Home Construction

Lennar
  • Follows U.S. model energy codes for insulation, HVAC, etc.
  • Uses stick framing with 2×4 or 2×6 wood studs as standard.
  • Provides fiberglass batt insulation in walls.
  • Installs efficient double-pane vinyl windows.
  • Standard 8’ ceiling height on each level.

Overall, Mattamy appears to edge out Lennar with their robust Canadian building standards for colder climates. But Lennar utilizes sound construction.

2. Design Styles and Floor Plans

Both companies offer a wide range of designs and floor plans to suit different lifestyles and family needs.

Mattamy Floor Plans

  • Provides 40+ models across its single-family home brands.
  • Homes have 3-6 bedrooms, 2-5 bathrooms.
  • Plans include open concept layouts, flex spaces, first-floor masters.
  • Square footages from 1,500 to over 5,000 sq ft.

Lennar Floor Plans

  • Also has 40+ floor plans available across home lines.
  • 2-5 bedroom models with 2-4 baths offered.
  • Open layouts along with split bedroom options.
  • Sizes range from under 1,000 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft.

With each builder providing dozens of designs, you’re sure to find a layout to match your wants. Lennar goes smaller while Mattamy starts around 1,500 sq ft.

3. Customization Options

What sets Mattamy and Lennar apart the most is how much home personalization they enable during the building process.

Mattamy Customization

  • Can make moderate plan changes like layouts, options before sale.
  • Allows selection of finishes like flooring, cabinets, counters, paint.
  • But limited major home additions or floor plan changes after start.

Lennar Customization

  • Promotes personalized options through their Design Studio experience.
  • Make structural changes like added bedrooms before contract.
  • Outlets, lighting, finishes can be customized as well.
  • More flexibility for buyer customization overall.

Lennar is the winner when it comes to personalizing a home prior to construction. Mattamy has more pre-set standards.

4. Locations and Availability

In terms of geographic coverage, Lennar once again beats out the competition:

Mattamy Homes Locations

  • Focused mostly in northeast and southeast regions.
  • Notable markets are Toronto, Charlotte, Raleigh, Jacksonville, Tampa.
  • Currently expanding into more midwestern metro areas.

Lennar Locations

  • Has a strong presence in over 20 states nationwide.
  • Builds across south, northeast, midwest, mountain west and pacific regions.
  • Key markets include Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco Bay area, Seattle.

Unless you live in Canada or the eastern U.S., Lennar will have many more communities to choose from.

Also Read: Comparison Between Ashton Woods And Lennar

5. Price and Affordability

Pricing and size options can also help determine if Mattamy or Lennar is the better match for your budget.

Mattamy Home Prices

  • Majority of homes range from $300,000 to $900,000.
  • Typical 2,000 sq ft model starts around $400,000.
  • Larger 3,500 sq ft homes cost $700,000 to over $1 million.

Lennar Home Prices

  • Offers wide range from $200,000 to $1 million plus.
  • Affordable 1,200 sq ft homes start in low $200,000’s.
  • Large 3,000 sq ft models run from $750,000 to $900,000 on average.

Both builders offer homes spanning entry-level to luxury price points. Lennar starts lower while Mattamy has higher ceilings on their largest models.

Watch this review video:

6. Customer Reviews

Here’s an overview of common pros and cons mentioned by Mattamy and Lennar homeowners:

Mattamy Home Reviews

  • Praise their quality of construction and materials.
  • Some issues noted with delays in establishing communities.
  • Good value overall but at the higher end of cost range.
  • Smaller list of upgrades than some builders.

Lennar Home Reviews

  • Feedback is mixed on build quality varying from home to home.
  • Numerous complaints about poor customer service and response to issues.
  • Value considered very good for the lower pricing.
  • Appreciate the customization offered through Design Studio.

Mattamy gets higher marks for quality while Lennar draws more customer service complaints. But Lennar buyers praise the value received at more affordable price points.

7. Warranties

The included structural and system warranties also indicate how much each builder stands behind their product.

Mattamy Warranties

  • 2-year limited warranty on defects in materials and workmanship.
  • 5-year limited structural warranty on major systems.
  • Warranties fully transferable to future owners.

Lennar Warranties

  • Everything under their 1-year limited warranty.
  • 2-10 year structural coverage depending on severity of issue.
  • No transferability of warranty. Original owners only.

Mattamy offers better coverage for future owners. But both include at least 1-year workmanship and 2-year structural warranties.

Pros and Cons of Mattamy Vs.. Lennar

To summarize, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of Mattamy compared to Lennar:

Mattamy Pros

  • Canadian construction standards result in efficient, sturdy homes.
  • Provides solid quality for a move-up homeowner.
  • Stylish designs with appealing curb appeal.
  • Good reputation overall for customer service.

Mattamy Cons

  • Less customization available than some builders.
  • More limited geographic availability right now.
  • Prices at higher end of range in many areas.

Lennar Pros

  • Offers greater design personalization through their Design Studio.
  • Has broad national availability in 20+ states.
  • Provides affordable options for first-time homebuyers.
  • Known for incorporating latest tech and innovations.

Lennar Cons

  • Reviews are mixed on build quality and customer service.
  • Basic structural warranties only.
  • Uses more cost-efficient building methods and materials.

Also Read: Comparison Between Pulte Homes And Toll Brothers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some quick answers to commonly asked questions about these two home building leaders:

Who owns Mattamy Homes?

Mattamy Homes was founded by Peter Gilgan and is still majority owned and run by him as Executive Chairman and CEO.

Is Mattamy Homes a public company?

No, Mattamy Homes is a large private company. The only recent outside investor is CPPIB which acquired a 10% minority stake in 2020.

Is Lennar a good developer?

Reviews are somewhat mixed on Lennar’s construction quality and customer service. But they are known for affordability and incorporating smart home technology into builds.

What does Lennar do?

Lennar is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, focused on constructing single-family homes across a variety of price points and markets nationwide.

Final Thoughts

When choosing between these two residential construction leaders, Mattamy and Lennar each have strengths catering to different priorities.

Mattamy is likely the better brand if you want robust Canadian-inspired construction and quality finishes at the higher end of market value. Lennar is ideal if you need greater customization or more affordability for a starter home with the latest tech features built-in.

By comparing the two builders across these key pillars, you can determine which is the superior fit for the type of home, budget, location and amenities you desire. Both have the scale, experience and resources to deliver quality new construction homes at competitive prices. Do your research to decide whether Mattamy or Lennar is the right residential developer for bringing your next home vision to life.

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