What does a custom home cost per square foot?

It's the hardest question we get, and a per-square-foot figure is a poor way to compare two builders. What a home costs comes down to size, complexity, level of finish and systems. One thing to know before you compare any builder's number: we calculate square footage using finished living area only. Some builders count every square foot associated with the house, garage, unfinished basement, porches, which produces a lower-looking per-square-foot number for the same house. Ask any builder which method they used, and we'll price your actual house for you.

What price range do you build in?

We're a mid-level to luxury, full-custom builder, not the cheapest option in the area and not trying to be. Rather than quote a stale range, we'll price your actual house for you. If your budget and our work are close, we'll be one of the best calls you make; if they're far apart, we'll tell you early.

What's included in your turnkey pricing?

Everything from clearing, excavation, well, drain field and appliances is included. Only utility hook-up is not included, and it's priced out separately by the utility companies. As the owner, what you have to do is sign a contract, pick out colors, and enjoy the process.

How long does it take to build a custom home?

Typically about 3 months to get plans ready for a permit, then 4–8 weeks for the permit. A typical home under 3,000 sf takes approximately 5.5 months to build after the permit is issued. All told, expect roughly 10–12 months. A plan we're familiar with, or a less complicated one, takes less. A larger or more complex home takes longer.

Yes. We use the Residential Performance Guidelines. One year on everything, two years on all systems, and ten years on the structure. Plus a one-year walkthrough as part of the NGBS program.

Can you build a house plan I found online?

Yes. A plan can be a sketch on a napkin or something you found online. We'd need to redraw it to meet Virginia codes, typically for less than half of an architect's fee, and if needed we'll purchase a build license from the original plan source. About 50% of our customers choose a plan we have never built before.

What is a Pre-Construction Agreement?

A pre-con is an optional, paid contract that lets us start the design process and get the home drawn and the engineering started. During that time you're visiting vendors and making selections with us, which takes the pricing variables off the table and fine-tunes the real number. If you choose Spartan to build your home, the cost of the pre-con is credited toward the build.

A newly completed Spartan Homes modern farmhouse with white siding, black windows, a stone skirt and a deep covered porch, photographed from the front lawn near Lake Anna, Virginia

Luxury home builder · Lake Anna

Homes worth coming home to

Custom-built across Central Virginia.

Book a consultation

A finished craftsman custom home with wide stone porch columns, photographed from the front lawn

Full custom

Designed to be lived in

Every home is drawn from scratch and built once, built right, shaped around the way you actually live.

Plans redrawn to Virginia code
Turnkey from clearing to finish
Covered porches that carry the living space outside

A large rustic timber-and-stone custom estate home with a timber-framed entry portico and a wide lawn

A cathedral window wall over hardwood floors, filling a custom great room with daylight

Light and space

Built for generations

A white farmhouse custom home on the shoreline at Lake Anna, seen from the water

The kitchen

Made for the way you cook

Sized to the room and finished to the last inch, with the island, storage and light set where your day actually happens.

Islands sized to the room
Custom cabinetry and finishes
Vaulted, beamed ceilings

A custom kitchen with a walnut range hood, marble-topped island and a vaulted beamed ceiling

Selected work

Homes we've handed over

An aerial view of a craftsman custom home on a wooded lot running down to the water at Lake Anna

Experience your dream home

On the water

Questions

Frequently asked

Yes, a napkin sketch or a plan you found online works. We redraw it to Virginia code and build it.

Turnkey means turnkey, clearing, excavation, well, drain field and appliances are in your price.

Lake Anna, Spotsylvania, Louisa, Orange, Caroline, Culpeper and Fredericksburg.

Yes, one year on everything, two years on systems, ten years on the structure.

A custom home entry foyer with a solid wood front door and an open staircase rising to the second floor

Have more questions?

Contact our team

Reviews

What our clients say on Google

Real homeowners across Lake Anna and Central Virginia, many of them years after we handed over the keys.

Jeff DeSchonGoogle review

Spartan built our house in 2018, and we love it. Eric and the team are the best builders in the Lake Anna area. After a storm sent a tree limb through our back porch screen, we reached out hoping they could recommend someone to repair it. Instead, Spartan sent someone out and fixed it themselves. That level of service, eight years after building our home, says everything. If you want a great home and a builder who continues to take care of you long after the project is finished, choose Spartan Homes.

Melissa JonesGoogle review

Spartan exceeded our expectations in quality, service, and timing. They treated our new home as carefully as they would their own. We loved working with Eric, Krista, Matthew, David, and the entire team. I would recommend Spartan to anyone looking to build or renovate a home.

Steve MessickGoogle review

Terrific craftsmanship and communication throughout the entire process. They involved us in every decision, delivered a first-class finished product, and completed everything on time and on budget. We would definitely build with Spartan again.

Jody KormanGoogle review

We have now celebrated six years in our Spartan home and still love it. Spartan was professional, easy to work with, and guided us through the entire building process. We would definitely build with Spartan again.

Andrea LazickiGoogle review

The Spartan team was professional, polite, and responsive throughout our entire home building experience. They worked closely with us to bring our ideas to life and completed a beautiful lakefront home. We highly recommend Spartan Homes for anyone looking for a high-quality custom home.

Chris ThomasGoogle review

Spartan Homes built our lake house in 2009, and it was by far the best home building experience we've ever had. They offered helpful design suggestions, accommodated our requested changes at a reasonable cost, and completed the home on time. Their subcontractors were excellent, and their customer service after completion has been outstanding. Any issues were handled quickly and professionally. We couldn't have asked for a better builder.

George WayneGoogle review

We are extremely pleased with our new Spartan home. The quality of construction is outstanding, and the team was great to work with throughout the process. Even after closing, Spartan has continued to provide exceptional support, helping us with things beyond their responsibility, including county contacts and internet setup. Their recommended subcontractors have also been top-notch. We highly recommend Spartan Homes.

Jay & Jo CanovaGoogle review

Spartan built our home in 2018–2019 on time, on budget, and with quality materials. After four years, we've had very few issues and remain extremely happy with our home. We would absolutely recommend Spartan Homes for any custom home project.

Lindsey PreussGoogle review

We built a semi-custom home with Eric and his team and couldn't recommend them enough. They worked closely with us to modify the floor plan to fit our needs, met every construction deadline, and paid incredible attention to detail throughout the process. It was the smoothest home building experience we've ever had, and we would gladly work with Spartan again.

Wayne HardestyGoogle review

When we first started looking for a builder, Spartan Homes was the only company that took the time to understand our project. Eric and his team thoroughly explained every option and handled the project professionally. A few years later, we trusted them again with a much larger construction project, and once again they exceeded our expectations and made the process stress-free.

Towers FamilyGoogle review

Spartan Builders recently completed our 4,000-square-foot waterfront family vacation home at Lake Anna. Their building process kept everything organized, transparent, and on schedule, while clearly outlining costs and upgrade options. The entire team was friendly, dependable, and delivered a quality home at a fair price. We highly recommend Spartan Builders.

Peter HoffmanGoogle review

Eric Henry and the Spartan Homes team designed and built our retirement home at Lake Anna. They worked closely with us through multiple design revisions over the course of a year before construction began, always providing the flexibility and guidance we needed. Throughout the entire process, they were responsive, supportive, and professional. Spartan Homes delivered our dream home, and it has been a pleasure working with the entire team.

A custom home with a glass-walled rear elevation overlooking a quiet cove at Lake Anna

Let's begin

Build your dream home

Start Here

See if we're a fit

If we're not the right builder for you, we'll tell you that too, and we'll still send you the cost guide.

Do you own the lot?

Where will the home be?

Target all-in budget

When do you want to break ground?

First & last name

Phone

Tell us about your lot, or the plan you have in mind

Optional.

No obligation and no pressure. A consultation is 30 minutes with Eric or Matthew, at our Spotsylvania office or by video. We never sell your information. Privacy Policy.

Homes worth coming home to

Designed to be lived in

Built for generations

Made for the way you cook

On the water

Do you build full custom?

What's included?

Where do you build?

Is there a warranty?

Build your dream home