What is a 'spec' home?

A spec home (short for speculative) is built before there’s a buyer. Designed with the future in mind. Builders like us invest in land, make all the design decisions, and build the home from the ground up, expecting that the right person will fall in love with it when it’s ready.

At The Byers Project, we don’t just build houses and hope for the best. We design every home with care, purpose, and real families in mind. Our spec homes are move-in ready, thoughtfully crafted to feel timeless, functional, and grounded in quality

Right now, we’re focused on building in and around Charlottesville, VA, but our vision is bigger. We hope to grow into other communities across the country, bringing our signature mix of durability, livability, and everyday practicality to families who want something better than just “good enough.”

Because home isn’t just where you live, it’s how you live. And we build for real life.

Do you build custom homes?

Nope, and that’s on purpose.

At The Byers Project, we specialize in spec homes, not custom builds. Why? Because our mission is to make strong, smart, lasting homes more accessible, and custom projects don’t always fit that bill.

We put our time, energy, and resources into buying the land, designing homes that work for real families, and building them with quality that lasts. That means we can move faster, keep costs in check, and still deliver homes that feel anything but generic.

Behind the scenes, we’re constantly evaluating costs, from materials and shipping to smart bulk buys and local market trends, so you don’t have to. It’s part of how we make durability and livability affordable, without compromising on what matters.

We know a custom build can be exciting, and there are some incredible custom homebuilders in the area doing beautiful, personalized work. If you're dreaming of a home built just for you from the ground up, we’re happy to cheer you on, and maybe even point you in the right direction.

Bottom line: We don’t build custom, because we believe in the other option: a high-quality home that doesn’t come with a custom price tag (or custom headaches).

What is the difference between a spec home and custom home? 

We love answering this, because there’s a big difference, and it comes down to who’s in charge and how many decisions you want to make.

Spec Home (like the ones we build)

We design and build the home first, and do it with care, quality, and features real families actually want. You buy it when it’s move-in ready (or almost), no decision fatigue required.

• You get: A thoughtfully built home, faster move-in, and fewer headaches.

• We handle: All the planning, permits, design details, and surprise inspections.

• You skip: Endless tile samples and 6-month delays because someone changed their mind about the faucet.

Custom Home

You bring the land and the vision. You (and your Pinterest board) make all the choices. The result? A totally you home, but it takes time, money, and patience.

• You get: Full creative control.

• You handle: Every. Single. Decision.

• You skip: Sleep, sometimes.

Bottom Line

If you want a home that’s built right and ready for life, a spec home might be your best match. If you want to design your dream from scratch and don’t mind the longer road, custom could be the way.

Both are great. It just depends on how many plates you’re spinning.

What makes your homes stronger or longer-lasting than other Spec homes?

What do we mean by ‘built to last’? We build like it matters. because it does. Every material, every layout, and every finish is chosen with long-term durability in mind, not just what's trendy or easy.

We focus on what families actually live through: slammed doors, leaky roofs, wild weather, growing kids, and everything in between. That’s why we don’t cut corners behind the walls or under the floors, where shortcuts usually hide.

Instead, we use high-quality structural elements, time-tested construction methods, and thoughtful design details that prevent problems before they start. And we work with builders who take pride in doing it right the first time. No duct tape solutions, no "fix it later" thinking.

It’s not about being fancy. It’s about being dependable. Because a home shouldn’t just look good when you move in. It should still feel solid and safe 10, 20, 30 years down the road.

Built to last isn’t a catchphrase. It’s our commitment to you, your family, and your future.

Why don't homes come with landscaping?

Because we believe in building what truly matters first: a strong, lasting home that’s ready for real life, not just curb appeal.

Every dollar we save on extras like pre-set landscaping is a dollar we put toward better construction, smarter design, and higher-quality materials inside and out. We’d rather hand you a well-built blank slate than cut corners to plant a few shrubs.

More importantly, we know your outdoor space is personal. Whether you dream of low-maintenance gravel paths, native drought-tolerant plants, or a full veggie garden, you should be the one to shape it. It's your space, your lifestyle, your vibe, your call.

Bonus: Water-saving options are easier to plan when you start from scratch. Go as big (or as simple) as you want, on your own time.

Water-Saving Landscapes to Fit Your Lifestyle.

What else is included with the home purchase?

We don’t just hand you keys, we hand you the whole story.

Every TBP home comes with a detailed digital PDF that gives you a behind-the-walls view of what you’re buying:

• Full Construction Drawings: From foundation to rooftop, you’ll see how your home was designed, including floor plans, elevations, electrical, plumbing, and more.

• Step-by-Step Construction Notes: Want to understand how it all came together? Our notes walk you through the building process, so you know what’s inside your walls, not just what’s on them.

This package isn’t customizable, but it is comprehensive. It’s our way of giving you real ownership of your home’s story, the structure, the systems, and the craftsmanship.

Because when we say built to last, we mean you should know what went into every square inch.