Business Details
37 Years
experience
Your Trusted Custom Home Builder in Grand Rapids, MI
Buffum Homes has been crafting custom homes in West Michigan for over 35 years, combining award-winning design with personalized service. Our family-owned business prioritizes client needs through transparent communication, fixed-price contracts, and a streamlined building process. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and cost efficiency, we guide clients from initial design to move-in day, offering flexible financing options and a comprehensive one-year warranty.Our team of experienced professionals, including President Norm Buffum and Vice President Joshua Buffum, maintains deep community ties and industry expertise. We serve Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, Allegan, and Barry counties, delivering homes that reflect individual lifestyles while maintaining exceptional value.
Services
Custom Home Building
Design Services
Financing Options
Land Acquisition
Warranty Services
Construction Management
Floor Plan Customization
Move-In Coordination
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of award-winning craftsmanship in custom home building
- Fixed-price contracts protect against unexpected cost increases
- In-house Selections Coordinator guides every design decision
- Family-owned business with deep West Michigan community roots
- Comprehensive one-year warranty with responsive service support
Associations and certifications
- Licensed & Insured Builder
What people say
Fantastic to work with
Second to none craftsmanship
Personable and kind
Seamless and stress-free
Highest integrity
Services
Custom Home Building
Buffum Homes specializes in fully customized residential construction projects tailored to individual client needs. Our process combines award-winning designs with transparent pricing and fixed-contract guarantees. With over 35 years of experience, we deliver high-quality homes that reflect personal lifestyles while maintaining exceptional value through efficient operations and trusted trade partnerships.
Design Services
Our in-house design team offers comprehensive architectural services for creating personalized living spaces. From modifying existing floor plans to developing entirely new designs, we focus on functional layouts that maximize comfort and efficiency. The service includes 3D visualization tools and collaborative revisions to ensure every detail meets client expectations before construction begins.
Financing Options
We provide multiple financing solutions to simplify the home-building process, including cash payment plans, traditional construction loans, and direct builder financing. Our financial experts coordinate with preferred lenders to offer competitive rates while maintaining flexibility through a 1.5% flat fee for construction-phase financing with guaranteed completion timelines.
Land Acquisition
Buffum Homes offers land purchase assistance and inventory lot options across West Michigan. Our service includes evaluating property suitability for custom home designs, negotiating land purchases with 10% down payments, and coordinating simultaneous land acquisition and home construction timelines to streamline the building process.
Warranty Services
Every new home includes a comprehensive one-year warranty covering structural components and workmanship. Our dedicated service team responds promptly to maintenance requests, coordinating repairs through trusted vendors while maintaining clear communication through an online portal for tracking service history and documentation.
People
Norm Buffum
President
With over 35 years in home construction, Norm Buffum leads with industry expertise and community commitment. A Grand Rapids native, he combines family values with professional excellence, guiding Buffum Homes' vision while maintaining active roles in local missions and church leadership.
Joshua Buffum
Vice President
Joshua Buffum brings finance and management expertise to custom home building, with over a decade of industry experience. As a Cornerstone University graduate, he focuses on innovation and client relationships while balancing family life with his wife Lauren and two sons in West Michigan.
Questions
What financing options are available for custom home building?
We offer cash payments, traditional construction loans, and direct builder financing with a 1.5% flat fee. Our team coordinates with preferred lenders to provide competitive rates and flexible terms.
Can I customize existing floor plans?
Yes, we modify any of our award-winning floor plans to suit your specific needs, including layout adjustments, material selections, and personalized design elements throughout the construction process.
What warranty coverage is included?
All new homes receive a comprehensive one-year warranty covering structural components and workmanship, with responsive service support through our online portal for tracking and resolving maintenance requests.
How long does the home-building process take?
Typical construction timelines range from 6-8 months from groundbreaking to completion, depending on project complexity, seasonal factors, and client-selected customization requirements.
Do you build on customer-owned land?
Yes, we regularly construct homes on client-owned properties while maintaining the same quality standards and process transparency as our inventory lot projects.
How are design selections managed?
Our Selections Coordinator guides clients through material choices using curated options in our online portal, ensuring organized decision-making with clear deadlines and professional recommendations.
