Richmond Model Homes vs. Luxury Custom Homes
If you’ve ever toured a model home in the Richmond area, you’ve probably imagined yourself living there. The finishes gleam, the rooms flow perfectly, and every corner feels ready to move in. But what you’re seeing is a glimpse of what could be, not necessarily what will be when you build your own home.
Many people start with model homes because they offer ideas and a clear vision of craftsmanship. Yet, a model home and a true luxury custom home are not the same thing. The difference lies in how much freedom you have to make the space yours.
At Perkinson Homes, we build both, but we want our clients to understand how each serves a different purpose.
What Is a Model Home?
A model home is a fully built version of a floor plan offered by a builder in a community. It’s there to show you what the home could look like when complete, from the kitchen finishes to the outdoor living space.
Model homes help buyers picture layouts, colors, and upgrades. They give you a sense of flow and scale that photos or blueprints can’t match.
But model homes come with boundaries. They’re designed around pre-set floor plans, and while you can often choose from a menu of options, there’s usually a limit to how much you can change.
That’s not a bad thing. For many families, model homes offer convenience, predictability, and a faster move-in timeline. You know exactly what you’re getting, and you can see it before you sign.
Still, for those who want a home that feels uniquely theirs, something more personal awaits.
What Is a Luxury Custom Home?
A luxury custom home starts with a blank page. Every detail, from the architectural design to the layout of each room, is built around your life.
You choose where to build, how the home sits on your lot, what materials bring it to life, and how each space serves your lifestyle.
At Perkinson Homes, that process begins with understanding how you live. Do you host often? Do you want an open floor plan that connects the kitchen to the outdoors? Do you need space for kids, guests, or multi-generational living?
Our team collaborates with you from concept to completion, bringing in designers, project managers, and trusted craftspeople to shape every inch of your home. The goal isn’t just to build a house, it’s to bring your vision to life with unmatched craftsmanship and attention to detail.
That’s the beauty of luxury custom homes in Richmond, VA: your home doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Key Differences Between Richmond Model Homes and Luxury Custom Homes
While both types of homes showcase quality, the process and result are very different.
Design Flexibility
- Richmond Model Homes: Choose from limited floor plans and pre-selected finishes.
- Luxury Custom Homes: Start from scratch or design a new plan inspired by your lifestyle and property.
Location Freedom
- Richmond Model Homes: Built in specific communities.
- Luxury Custom Homes: You decide the location: whether it’s on your own land, a private lot, or a neighborhood you love.
Personalization
- Richmond Model Homes: Offers upgrade packages but keeps the structure and layout fixed.
- Luxury Custom Homes: Every finish, fixture, and feature is up to you.
Material Quality
- Richmond Model Homes: Typically use standard materials suited for display or budget tiers.
- Luxury Custom Homes: Allows for premium selections and bespoke craftsmanship.
Timeline & Process
- Richmond Model Homes: Move-in ready or nearly complete.
- Luxury Custom Homes: Built to your specifications with a longer, more personalized process.
Investment Value
- Richmond Model Homes: Reflect standard market values.
- Luxury Custom Homes: Can appreciate faster due to quality, craftsmanship, and unique design.
When you choose a custom home, you’re investing not just in property, but in long-term value, comfort, and personal expression.
Why Richmond Buyers Often Start with Model Homes
Touring a model home is one of the best ways to explore what a builder can do. It helps you see design trends, layout ideas, and craftsmanship up close.
At Perkinson Homes, our Richmond model homes are more than showcases; they’re invitations to imagine. They reflect the care, detail, and creativity that define our work, but they’re not limits. They’re starting points.
We often meet clients who walk through one of our model homes and say, “I love this kitchen, but I’d change the pantry layout,” or “I want this great room with a more open view.” That’s where the custom process begins.
Your inspiration from a model home can evolve into a truly one-of-a-kind design.
The Perkinson Homes Approach
Perkinson Homes combines the best of both worlds: the visual inspiration of a Richmond model home and the creative freedom of a luxury custom home.
Our process begins with listening. We want to know what matters most to you, how you entertain, relax, and live every day. From there, we develop a design that brings those priorities to life.
Our team works closely with you and with trusted local partners. Project managers oversee every stage to ensure communication, craftsmanship, and precision. Our interior designer, Shannon Tootle, helps homeowners select materials, colors, and finishes that bring warmth and personality to every space.
Because luxury is not just about size or price, it’s about how a home feels when it perfectly fits your family.
From detailed trim work to tailored floor plans, every Perkinson home reflects our belief that your home should be as personal as your story.
Choosing What’s Right for You
If you’re deciding between a model home and a luxury custom home, think about how you want to live in your space long term.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want something move-in ready, or do I want to shape every detail?
- Do I value flexibility over convenience?
- Do I want to choose my lot, layout, and finishes without restriction?
Model homes make sense for buyers who want simplicity and speed. But if you’ve been dreaming about a home built just for you, one that mirrors your lifestyle, taste, and future, a luxury custom home gives you that freedom.
Richmond has no shortage of beautiful model homes, but none feel quite like one designed with you at the center.
Experience the Difference
Tour one of our model homes to see the craftsmanship up close. Then, meet our team to learn how we can turn your ideas into a fully custom design.
At Perkinson Homes, we believe every home should tell a story: yours.
For more insight into custom home trends and value growth, see the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) report on the rise of custom homebuilding in 2025.
