When it comes to buying a new home, Pulte Homes and KB Home are two of the major national home builders that buyers often consider. Both companies have been building homes for decades and have established reputations for offering quality craftsmanship and desirable floorplans.
However, there are some key differences between Pulte and KB Home that buyers should understand before making a decision.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Pulte Homes | KB Homes |
| # of homes built per year | Approx. 13,000 | Approx. 9,500 |
| # of actively selling communities | 700+ | 300+ |
| Presence in # of states | 23 | 8 |
| Brands | Pulte Homes, Centex, Del Webb | KB Home |
| Typical home price range | $200k – $900k+ | $150k – $600k |
| Customization options | Design studio for selections | Built-to-Order system |
| Energy efficiency features | High performance options available | Standard on all homes |
| Average home build time | 4-8 months | 3-5 months |
| Warranties offered | 1 yr workmanship, 2 yr systems, 10 yr structure | 1 yr workmanship, 2 yr systems |
| Resale value reputation | Excellent | Good |
Overview Of Pulte Homes
Founded in 1950 in Detroit, Michigan, Pulte Homes has grown to become one of the country’s largest home construction and real estate development companies. They build homes targeted towards first-time buyers, move-up buyers, and luxury buyers under the Pulte Homes brand.
They also have two other brands – Centex, aimed at first-time and move-up buyers, and Del Webb, catering to adults 55+ active living communities.
Some key facts about Pulte Homes:
- They are currently #2 home builder in the United States based on home closings
- Present in over 40 major metro areas across 23 states
- Offers 25+ flexible open-concept floorplans with options for customization
- Focuses on energy-efficient features and healthier home environments
Overall, Pulte Homes emphasizes quality, innovation, and giving buyers the freedom to customize their new home. They have an extensive selection of floorplans and communities to choose from.
Overview Of KB Home
KB Home is another major national homebuilder that has been designing, building, and selling homes since 1957. Headquartered in Los Angeles, KB Homes operates in over 35 major metro areas in 8 different states.
Some key facts about KB Home:
- Currently #5 homebuilder in the United States
- Specializes in building single-family homes for first-time, move-up, and active adult 55+ buyers
- Offers Built-to-Order approach allowing ample customization options
- Energy-efficient features and sustainability initiatives are a strong focus
- Known for their affordable pricing relative to other national builders
KB Home takes pride in offering personalized homes at an accessible price point. They give buyers plenty of choices when it comes to home design, floorplans, and location.
How Pulte And KB Homes Compare On Key Factors
Now let’s take a closer look at how Pulte and KB stack up against each other on some of the key factors homebuyers consider:
- Variety of Floorplans
Both Pulte and KB offer a wide selection of open concept floorplans to suit the needs of different buyers. Pulte may have a slight edge when it comes to number of floorplan options, with over 25 designs across their different brands. KB Homes offers various configurations but their total portfolio may be smaller. Those looking for the most options may gravitate towards Pulte.
- Customization & Personalization
The two builders take a similar approach when it comes to home personalization. They both allow buyers to work with a design consultant to make selections for colors, finishes, fixtures and layout options. This allows buyers to put their own stamp on their new home. KB Homes does emphasize their Built-to-Order system as a key differentiator. Overall though, both offer ample customization.
- Quality & Craftsmanship
On the quality front, Pulte and KB Homes are comparable. As two of the largest national home builders, they have each built tens of thousands of homes and have sound construction practices and protocols in place. Things like advanced framing techniques, quality control inspections, and using brand name fixtures and materials are standard for both builders. There have been occasional issues reported with each, but overall quality is solid.
Also Read: Is M/I Homes Better Than Pulte?
- Location & Number of Communities
In terms of number of actively selling communities, Pulte Homes has the edge over KB Homes. Pulte is present in over 40 major metro areas across 23 states while KB is in 35 metro regions across 8 states. So Pulte has a presence in more markets nationwide. In areas where they overlap though, both builders typically offer multiple community options for buyers to consider.
- Sustainability & Green Building
KB Homes has made sustainability one of its key branding points. All KB homes come with energy-efficient and water-saving features standard. Pulte also incorporates sustainability in its practices, but KB seems to be ahead of the curve with things like net zero energy homes. Those looking for energy efficiency will appreciate what KB offers.
- Incentives & Special Financing
Both builders offer various incentives and special financing programs periodically. These may include things like closing cost assistance, rate buydowns, waived HOA fees for a period, and discounted options packages. The exact offerings change over time. Pulte and KB seem fairly matched when it comes to promotions, so buyers should check for the current deals when shopping.
- Pricing & Affordability
The pricing and general affordability of Pulte Vs. KB Homes will vary market-by-market. In general though, KB Homes markets themselves as an affordable option compared to other national builders. Their homes may sell for 5-10% lower in a given community verses a comparable Pulte home. So the pricing edge likely goes to KB Homes in many areas. Though affordability is relative to the buyer’s budget.
- Resale Value
It’s hard to declare a winner when it comes to resale value, since many factors impact it. But Pulte and KB communities both tend to hold their value well over time. Having an established brand name and reputation helps. Pulte may have a slight edge, but overall both builders produce homes that sell for top dollar down the road.
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Pros And Cons Of Pulte Homes
Pros:
- Wide selection of floorplans across 3 distinct brands
- Quality construction and use of brand name materials
- Ability to extensively customize with design studio
- National presence across 40+ metro areas
- Excellent resale value and brand reputation
Cons:
- Base pricing may be higher than some competitors
- Occasional claims of construction defects or delays
- Lengthy build time of 4-8 months on average
- Added fees for certain community amenities
Pros And Cons Of KB Homes
Pros:
- Built-to-Order system allows ample customization
- Environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient features
- Competitive pricing and affordable options
- Strong value proposition for a national builder
- Streamlined and efficient building process
Cons:
- Less variety and number of floorplans offered
- Smaller geographic presence than some competitors
- Lower resale value in some communities
- Reports of corner-cutting and flaws from some buyers
- Limited urban and high-density community options
Which Builder Is Right For You?
At the end of the day, there is no definitive “winner” between Pulte and KB Homes. The right builder comes down to your specific budget, lifestyle needs, preferred locations, and priorities. Here are a few key questions to help determine if Pulte or KB is a better fit:
- Are you willing to pay more for the Pulte brand prestige and reputation?
- Is environmental sustainability a top priority in your home purchase?
- Do you value getting the maximum customization options possible?
- Are you looking for an affordable price first and foremost?
- Do you prefer having a large variety of communities and floorplans to choose from?
- How important is an established resale value history in your market?
The builder that aligns more closely with your responses is likely the better match. Be sure to tour model homes, speak with local sales agents, and do your research before committing to either Pulte or KB Homes.
Also Read: Differences Between Drees Homes And Ryan Homes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
KB Homes main competitors in the national home building space include D.R. Horton, Lennar, Toll Brothers, Pulte Homes, and Meritage Homes. They also compete against regional builders in their respective markets.
Pulte Homes and Centex are both brands owned and built by PulteGroup. Centex targets first-time homebuyers and move-up buyers, while the main Pulte brand includes everything from entry-level to luxury homes. Overall quality and construction is similar.
KB Home is considered both a home builder and community developer. They purchase land, design communities, build homes, and manage the process from start to finish. So they take on both builder and developer roles.
Also Read: Compariosn Between Lennar And D.R. Horton
The Bottom Line
When comparing two of the nation’s largest homebuilders in Pulte Vs. KB Homes – there is no single clear winner. Buyers need to examine local pricing, available communities, included features, and brand reputation. The good news is that both companies have built literally hundreds of thousands of quality homes, offer great customization, and back their products with warranties.
Doing your due diligence on the front end will lead you to the right new construction home that meets your needs and budget from either respected national brand.