Custom Homes,
Hand-crafted

Trusted Home Builders

in the Boston Area

Greater Boston is home to some of America's most discerning individuals. That's why Hawthorn has focused on designing and building the most individualized homes on the market. It's what's made us one of the most trusted home builders. You'll work with us to personally design and create your own home. Our custom home building process takes you step by step through locating a property, designing a plan that is tailored to the site, and determining your project’s budget. Then we craft your home, inside and out, to the finest details to assure your satisfaction and maximize your investment value.

We value transparent communication. From inception to completion, we ensure an open line of communication. Discussing potential changes, unforeseen circumstances, and budget impacts fosters trust and keeps you informed at every stage.

One of our core values is “Own It.”

Owning it means being accountable by taking responsibility for our actions and deliverables. We realize that nobody is perfect, and take ownership over mistakes rather than trying to find blame in others.. We don’t sugarcoat realities and we don’t tell you what you want to hear. We hate being wrong, but when we are, we own it, and we tell you.

Honest communication enables us to navigate challenges together and empowers you throughout the construction process.

We worked with Hawthorn to build our home and we can't say enough good things about the process, people and final product. Every member of their staff was professional and friendly. The house is sturdy and beautiful. Their designer [is] very accessible, creative, has great style and is lovely to work with. When issues arose, Ryan handled them fairly and directly.

— Mindy McGinn —

★★★★★

What does custom home construction involve?

There are distinct advantages to building your own custom home from the ground up. Hawthorn's team is uniquely knowledgeable and experienced in the newest and best technologies—not only construction methods but in the best innovations in green design to maximize your home's energy-efficiency. Hawthorn Builders is certified by Phius (Passive House Institute US). You'll feel proud of how it looks and feel good about how it works. 

Plus, by working from the ground up, you are employing the newest and best technologies. Even though the costs may be more up-front compared to a traditional home construction design, your investment will lead to spending less on energy and repairs for as long as you live in your home. That's why expertise in green technology is important to keep in mind when asking what company is best for building a house.

Here's how our process enables you to build your own home:

Initial Consultation

Whether you're building a new home or addition/remodeling project, we start with an initial consultation to discuss the project and establish the scope of work for the new space. During this meeting we also discuss the budget and the potential options for creating plans. If you're already working with another architect, there's no need to start from scratch. We can also set up a meeting to review plans that have already been developed by your previous architect or designer. We can also refer you to and work with several top architects and designers in the greater Boston area.

Preliminary Design

After our initial consultation, we review the design concepts for the areas specified in the scope. During this phase, the plans will be reviewed to make sure the spaces meet expectations, both aesthetically and functionally. In addition, we continually review the budget to make sure that we remain in line with the goals of the project.

Final Design & Specifications

Once the collaborative design process is completed, our team will help you select finished materials and products for your custom home project. The team will advise, review options and suggest applicable product alternatives if necessary. This will ensure that all choices are in line with your project budget.

How much does it cost to build a house?

When building a home, especially since the pandemic and newsworthy supply chain issues, cost is an important consideration for any homeowner. Plus, given the rich architectural history of many Massachusetts neighborhoods near Boston, many ask the question is custom build cheaper? 

Today, the cost to build a home in greater Boston can range from $500 - $1,000 per square foot.  That is well above the national average of around $200 per square foot. It's important to remember that many of the costs frequently involved in building a new custom home via a traditional "design-then bid-then build" approach may involve change orders, and delays—costs that you can avoid by going with design-build professionals with Hawthorn as part of the team.

When calculating the cost of building a new home, there are several factors:

Hard costs refer to what's spent in constructing the house itself, such as building materials. These costs have increased approximately 26% over prices in 2020, according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Lumber especially has grown in price, adding approximately $36,000 to the building price of a single family home compared to just a couple of years ago. In the Boston area, most new construction pricing averages between $500 to $1,000 per square foot and above depending on size, style and finishes, according to Hawthorn Builders co-founder Mathew Roth.

Soft costs include other expenses such as land, building permits, fees (including for architects), as well as the labor costs in building a home.

Land costs are another source of rising prices. Massachusetts remains one of the most expensive states to buy land. Because of so many cost variables, it's important to plan ahead as far ahead as possible. This flexibility can enable your design build team to take advantage of known and expected fluctuations in prices for everything from materials to labor.

Custom home construction timeline

During the construction phase of building your home together, effective communication and meticulous management are paramount. We maintain open lines of communication through Basecamp, CoConstruct software, and our comprehensive building manual, ensuring you stay informed and engaged in the process.

Invoicing occurs at regular intervals, promoting financial transparency. We hold budget meetings as needed, adjusting plans and budgets until they align with your vision. Our commitment to quality control means we stay on track through weekly project meetings, either by zoom or onsite, where we review timelines and update project details on Basecamp.

Additionally, we prioritize site security and safety to provide a secure working environment. In this phase, we work hand in hand to bring your green home to life, combining effective communication and top-notch management to ensure a successful and enjoyable building experience.

Construction and quality assurance

The construction phase is where the design comes to life. Every aspect of construction is done with precision, ensuring that the home meets the high performance standards. Quality assurance checks, both during and post-construction, ensure that the home is ready for you, its new owners.