I. About Welcome
What is Welcome?
Welcome is an online homebuilding platform. We provide the easiest path to design and build your dream home, in your dream location, for a guaranteed price. We have combined all aspects of homebuilding into a simple, online solution- Everything from customizing your design, choosing your land, to connecting with qualified builders, is available in a few clicks.
Welcome works with a robust network of highly-vetted builders to construct our homes. Once you make your design and property selections, we’ll facilitate your project with a local partner builder, then oversee quality and timeliness at every step of the process.
How it works
How do I build a home with Welcome?
We’ve streamlined homebuilding down to a few clicks. Simply select your land and design your home within our online platform, then sit back while your home comes to life.
Here’s how it works:
1. Choose your property . Using our interactive map , choose from thousands of on-the-market buildable properties. All properties have been approved and priced for building by our proprietary AI technology. 2. Design your home . Select a Welcome model , and personalize your home in real-time using our digital design studio. Make it your own with curated finish options and personalized upgrades. 3. Make an offer . To secure your home, you can submit an offer through our online platform. You will submit two separate offers: one to purchase the underlying land (from the land-seller), and another to secure a builder for your construction project. 4. Watch your vision come to life . Once your offers are accepted, Welcome oversees every phase of construction– from permitting through finishing and inspection. We work with your local builder to ensure quality and efficiency at every step. You receive weekly updates and photos to see your vision come to life.
How it works
Why was Welcome founded?
Welcome was founded to fill a need for homebuyers who find themselves consistently underwhelmed by outdated homes on the market, but overwhelmed by the prospect of building or renovating. We believe that compromising and settling have no place in the process of planting your roots, and that a home should be a reflection of those who will be building their futures within its walls. Building a home is notoriously complex, inaccessible, and outrageously expensive; Welcome exists to solve that.
Read our mission
How long has Welcome been around?
Welcome was founded in 2020 and currently has offices in New York City and Miami. Having seen 500% growth in our second year of business in 2022, in addition to raising a $29M Series A, we expect steady growth and many fantastic builds for years to come. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience in the industry; we’re a fresh company approaching a stale industry in a new, tech-enabled way.
View our timeline
Who founded Welcome?
Our founders, Alec Hartman, Ben Uretsky, and Mitch Wainer, previously founded DigitalOcean , a public cloud computing company. After tremendous success in the tech world, they are now using their learnings to revolutionize the homebuilding process– and the construction industry as a whole.
Where does Welcome operate?
Welcome is currently live in 10 states (NY, CT, NJ, PA, GA, MD, DE, NC, VA) and over 100 counties. We are rapidly expanding to new markets across the country in 2024 and beyond.
View active properties
II. Design and architecture
Are Welcome homes prefabricated or "modular" homes?
No. Welcome homes are traditional stick-built construction, entirely on-site.
Are Welcome homes "spec" builds?
Most new construction homes on the market are commonly referred to as "spec" homes, or speculative homes. A spec home is constructed with the speculation that it will sell for profit. Spec homes are designed to be appealing to as many homebuyers as possible; their layouts, finishes, and other design selections are specified by the builder, not the buyer.
Welcome homes are not spec homes; they are designed and customized by you , to your exact needs. With Welcome, your home is your vision, not somebody else\'s. More importantly, you won't overpay for additional amenities or finishes you don't need.
What parts of my home are customizable?
You can select from our curated design options in all main areas of your home, like kitchens and bathrooms, as well as the exterior and flooring. Each design package pairs the best materials, color palettes, features, and fixtures to create a beautiful, cohesive aesthetic.
We also provide an assortment of lifestyle-based upgrades, from saunas to cinemas.
For any given Welcome home, there are 200,000+ unique design combinations (but only one that is uniquely yours).
Can I make further modifications to the floor-plan or design?
Yes. For an additional fee, you can further customize Welcome's standard offerings. We offer both model adjustments, such as layout changes and aesthetic requests, and custom model design. Learn more about our bespoke design services .
Can I choose any model?
For any given property listed on our website , Welcome only displays models that are conducive to a build on that site. Factors considered in this decision include size, lot conditions, community fit, and more.
If you are interested in a specific model, we recommend filtering your search to display only properties that fit your model.
What is a room theme?
Themes are curated design packages available in our kitchens, bathrooms, and exteriors. They combine the best materials, color palettes, features and fixtures to create a beautiful, cohesive aesthetic for a given room. We’ve crafted each theme to deliver a specific style and ambience. Whether it’s the moody Eclipse kitchen to the comforting Solus bathrooms, we’re confident our options will elevate your home.
Why are only certain themes available for the home I want?
We’ve curated the theme options for each model based on the overall aesthetic and style of the home. For example, within our traditional models, you have the option to choose from six different traditional kitchen themes. If desired, you can swap in the products & aesthetic from another theme type, such as a modern kitchen, for an additional cost.
Can I add square footage to my floor-plan?
In certain models, you can select our “Entertainer’s add-on” to extend the living room for more hosting space. We also offer finished basement options, which provide additional living space.
Otherwise, you can request additional rooms or floor-plan adjustments through our bespoke design services .
Does Welcome offer pool options?
Welcome isn’t a pool contractor, but it’s important for us to know if you want a pool in the future so we can have your site planned accordingly! Our recommendation is that you wait to construct the pool until after you have the certificate of occupancy; trying to incorporate it into planning will delay the permitting process, complicate the construction and increase the build time.
Can Welcome build an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) on my property?
At this time, Welcome does not offer pool house or ADU options. However, upon request, we will research the area at hand to determine whether one can be accommodated on the parcel.
III. Home specs
What products and brands do you use in your homes?
Every Welcome home is built with the trusted, premium brands you know and love. Welcome has developed relationships with major brands and suppliers to ensure our customers have access to the highest quality materials at an affordable price.
Within our online design studio , you can see the brands within each selection and room. Our home exteriors feature siding options from James Hardie and windows from trusted brands such as Pella and Jeld-Wen. Within the kitchen, our countertop options feature Cosentino or Neolith surfaces, and we offer appliance packages from premium brands such as Miele and Wolf / Subzero. Our bathroom fixtures feature Kohler, Waterworks, and Kalista options. The best part? You can add branded upgrades, such as a Sonos music room, Crate & Barrel furniture packages, and an Urban Bonfire outdoor kitchen (to name a few)
What sustainable or energy-efficient options do you offer?
Energy efficiency is a major consideration within our architectural design processes. We incorporate low-voltage lighting, energy-efficient appliances, sustainable add-on and upgrade features, and high-quality insulation in everything we build. With a Welcome home, we’re confident that you’ll notice a significant difference in your utility bills. (Did we mention we take care of setting up all utilities, too?)
Does Welcome offer basements?
Yes. Our homes come standard with a 3-foot crawl space foundation, however, almost all of our models can support basement upgrades, including finished and walkout options.
However, basements are subject to specific lot characteristics, and may even be required for certain properties due to the property slope. Based on site conditions, our basements typically include three hopper windows, as well as one egress window.
Do Welcome homes have attics?
Our homes don’t come with attics, but do have ample closet space and the ability to add a basement for additional storage. We offer closet build-outs as well.
What are my options for a fireplace?
We offer wood-burning and linear gas fireplaces as upgrade options in models that permit them, as well as ventless clean-burning fireplaces in all models.
Do my appliances come with warranties?
Every appliance in your home has its own product registration, warranty, and contact information.
What type of driveway comes with my home?
Our pricing includes a gravel driveway, unless paved driveways are common in the area.
Does Welcome guarantee grass seeding?
Yes. If the home is completed in the winter, our team will come back in the spring to reseed any soil that has been disturbed by construction.
How high are the ceilings in your homes?
Our ceiling heights range from 9 feet to 25 feet, depending on the home and room.
Are there sprinkler system options available?
When required by the municipality, we include sprinkler systems in our homes. We also offer them upon request; we will add the cost into your guaranteed price before the build.
Do the sliding doors and windows include screens?
Yes, all windows and the standard double sliding doors include screens. The multi-slide door upgrade has the option to add screens.
What types of windows do you use?
We partner with quality brands like Jeld-Wen and Pella as well as other comparable suppliers. All of our windows meet or surpass local and state standard requirements regardless of brand.
Where are the mechanicals located?
A dedicated utility closet is centrally located for maximum efficiency. In the event that you upgrade to a basement we typically reroute the utility closet to the basement and give you back some storage space on the first level.
What is the standard foundation?
The standard foundation of a Welcome home is a 3-foot crawl space with concrete slab flooring. You also have an option to add an unfinished or finished basements (with full or half bathrooms)
How is the home heated?
We use a forced hot air system heated by a gas-powered furnace (natural gas or propane, based on the respective property).
What type of insulation do you use?
Our homes come with standard batt fiberglass exterior insulation. You have the option to upgrade to ROCKWOOL for maximized energy efficiency. In addition, interior walls can be upgraded to ROCKWOOL interior insulation for superior noise reduction between rooms.
What measurements are taken to waterproof the basements?
We use a standard spray-on waterproofing material and all our basements include a sump pit.
IV. Land and location
Does Welcome own the properties I see on the website map?
No. Our website map shows all on-the-market properties that have been vetted and approved for building by our AI technology. These properties are a mix of vacant land parcels and properties with existing structures, which would be torn down to build your new home.
During the Welcome purchase, you will submit an offer to purchase the property from the land seller. Our team will guide you through the full offer, financing, and closing process.
Where can I build a Welcome home?
If you already own land, you submit it for a complimentary review .
If you do not own land, select from thousands of pre-vetted properties using our interactive map . Welcome homes are built in popular, existing neighborhoods, not isolated new construction communities. Your dream-home can be in your dream-neighborhood.
How does Welcome identify buildable land?
Our AI land-vetting technology evaluates all on-the-market properties to determine if they are conducive to a Welcome model. With the input of our in-house civil engineers, we consider factors such as: topography, municipal regulations, lot size, utility access, and much more. This guarantees we can build your dream home– without unexpected obstacles– before the shovel hits the ground.
Can Welcome build on land I already own?
Yes! If you already own property, submit it for a complimentary review . We'll conduct an evaluation to determine which Welcome models your land can support and provide an estimated build price.
Submit land for review
Can I be notified when new properties come available in my desired area?
Yes! Save a search within our map and we’ll email you as soon as new, buildable properties hit the market within your desired area.
Can you tear down an existing structure to build a Welcome home?
Absolutely! Welcome works with both vacant and teardown properties, so long as it is allowed by the municipality. If you wish to build on a teardown property, the demolition costs are included in your construction price.
Is the cost of land included in my purchase?
On our website, we show your all-in price upfront, combining the underlying land price and estimated construction costs. However, your land is purchased in a separate transaction from the construction.
If you need financing, your land and construction purchase can be financed together in a construction-to-perm mortgage.
Of course, if you already own land, you will only pay for the construction costs.
Find your land
Can I negotiate the land price down?
Yes. The land is purchased directly from the land seller. The price is negotiable. If you do not already have an agent, Welcome can connect you to one of our preferred agents who can assist with the negotiation.
Am I subject to purchasing the land only listed by Welcome?
While we’re confident that our website map displays all buildable properties in the respective area, we encourage you to submit listings of interest you may come across elsewhere to our team for review. You are also, of course, welcome to submit your own land for constructability review, if you’re already a landowner.
Does Welcome have its own communities?
No. We build homes in well-known, sought-after neighborhoods, not isolated new construction communities.
Our are designed to complement the area and the landscape, so that your home fits seamlessly into the community– as if it’d always been there. In other words, no “sore thumb” houses here (we’ve all driven past one at some point).
V. Pre-construction & permitting
What is involved during the pre-construction phase?
The pre-construction phase covers everything that is needed to begin construction on your property. Every property is unique, but this typically includes tasks such as permitting, site surveys, and final site plans. We could list everything, but it doesn’t matter– Welcome and our qualified partners handle it all, swiftly.
How involved do I need to be in permitting?
You don’t! Welcome builder and engineering partners take care of everything, and we’ll keep you updated as permits are submitted and approved.
How long does permitting take?
Permitting typically takes between 6-10 months, and is largely dependent on the municipality and property requirements.
Do I get to review my site plan before it is finalized?
Of course! Our site plans are designed to give you ideal placement of your home on your plot. Sometimes, the site survey may dictate slight adjustments to the original plan. In all cases, you will have the opportunity to review and sign off before your plans are submitted for permitting.
Can I specify what trees I want taken down?
We remove all trees within the limit of disturbance– the boundary within which all construction, materials storage, grading, landscaping and related activities will take place. This area will be outlined during the site planning process; you will, of course, have visibility of the clearing plan ahead of time.
VI. Construction
Who is building my home?
Welcome works with highly-experienced, thoroughly-vetted local builders in each market. Once you submit an offer, we’ll match you with a qualified builder for your project.
During the build, our team oversees all aspects of construction to ensure quality and on-time delivery.
How involved do I need to be during construction?
Your participation is not required in order to build your home. However, Welcome aims to make the process fun, exciting, and most importantly, stress-free.
We’ll coordinate the site inspections, coordinate all payments, and of course, send weekly progress updates & photos so you can see your home come to life.
How long does construction take?
Construction typically takes between 8-12 months, and is largely dependent on your property conditions and model design. Our in-house team and technology are committed to making this process as efficient as possible.
How can I track progress of my build?
Our team, and your personalized customer dashboard, will actively update you weekly on the progress of your build; we’re just as invested in your project as you are! These updates will include photos & videos taken on-site as well, when possible.
Can I make changes to my plans or designs after I’ve signed my contract?
Our homes are carefully designed to ensure that you get the home you want. Nevertheless, we know sometimes a need arises; you may want to add an additional upgrade or swap out a fixture for another.
Welcome, and our partner builders, are often able to accommodate change orders. If desired, please reach out to your Welcome customer experience representative to inquire about the feasibility of the change.
Change orders have an additional administrative fee, in addition to the cost(s) of your change(s). If your requests aren’t made in time to incorporate them into your loan, Welcome will request a direct payment before the changes can be incorporated.
Can I visit the site during construction?
Given safety considerations of an active construction site and our unwavering dedication to maintaining a professional working environment, we ask that you not visit the site unless you are accompanied by a Welcome team member.
VII. Pricing and financing
How does pricing work?
There are two aspects to your all-in price: The cost of the land, which is set by the land seller, and the cost of your construction, which is set by our local partner builders. Your construction cost varies based on your home model, design selections, and property conditions.
What is included in my guaranteed price?
Unlike working with a traditional builder, the Welcome platform provides a guaranteed, all-in price.
Your guaranteed price is for the construction of your personalized home. Once your offer is accepted by a partner builder, the build price is locked. You will not be charged any additional overages or fees during construction. You will be delivered the exact home you designed, at no additional cost.
Will my price change?
Nope! We stand by our value proposition of providing all Welcome customers with a guaranteed price upfront– no overages, no surprises. Ever.
Can I finance my Welcome home with a mortgage?
Yes! Welcome homes can be financed with a construction-to-perm mortgage, which operates very similar to a traditional mortgage. You can put as little as 10% down and can finance the all-in cost, including the land purchase. If needed, Welcome can connect you to our preferred lending partners.
How does a construction-to-perm mortgage work?
A construction-to-perm mortgage starts as an interest-only loan to cover the cost of construction, then transitions to a traditional mortgage once construction is complete.
During construction, you pay interest-only payments on the total amount disbursed to fuel each construction phase. As such, these payments are lower than your eventual monthly payment amounts. As an example, during the initial permitting phase, you may only be paying interest on the 10% of the loan that has been disbursed. Our lending partners can provide a more detailed payment and disbursement schedule.
Once construction is completed and a Certificate of Occupancy is issued (CO), your loan converts to a traditional mortgage of your choice. You will begin paying interest and principal.
When do I begin paying my mortgage?
Your interest payments begin at the closing of the loan and property, where the first disbursement is drawn to pay the land-seller and begin preparation of the build site.
Are interest rates higher for construction loans?
The average interest rates for construction loans are typically slightly similar to a traditional loan, but this depends on the lender you choose. We have relationships with multiple lenders, so you can shop around for the best rates!
What will the taxes be for my property once the home is built?
The quickest and easiest way to get a tax estimate is to look up the taxes of comparable new construction listings in the area. For the most accurate estimate, we can provide the phone number to speak with the local tax assessor.
Is the cost of a Welcome home the same everywhere?
No. The cost of a Welcome home changes based on property location. We work with our Welcome partner builders to set pricing in their local markets. There are a lot of factors that contribute to price variance, such as cost of labor, material availability, and permitting fees.
What if the appraised value comes in lower than the contract price?
Appraisal for Welcome’s new construction has routinely exceeded expectations making the majority of the price of our home financeable; in fact, 90%+ of cases have reported appraisals that exceeded their expectations! If the appraisal comes in under value, don’t worry– we can work on your behalf to challenge the unsatisfactory appraisal.
Can I be credited if I provide my own appliances?
We do not offer appliance options outside of our design studio. We have standing relationships with our suppliers that allow us to guarantee pricing for you. Additionally, our kitchens are designed to accommodate the specific appliances we have selected; external appliances would, unfortunately, require us to make structural changes to our models.
VIII. Offers and purchasing
How do I begin the purchase process?
Once you have selected your property and design, you begin the purchase by submitting an offer through our online platform.
You will submit two separate offers: one to purchase the underlying land (from the land-seller) and another to secure a builder for your construction project. Welcome will reach-out to confirm your pre-qualification info, then share your offer details with a licensed agent and partner builder.
About offer process
Who accepts, or denies, my offer?
A licensed real estate agent will deliver your property offer to the land-seller. Welcome will deliver your construction offer to our local partner builders, along with preliminary construction plans. Should your offer be denied, Welcome will provide additional guidance to help you make your next offer.
About offer process
How do I know how much to offer?
Using our Welcome estimates as a guide, you can submit separate property and construction offers.
Your property offer will be used to purchase the land. Welcome display’s the property’s listing price, which is set by the land seller.
Your construction offer will secure your builder and guaranteed build price. Welcome displays a construction estimate, which is derived using input from our partner builders and property evaluation.
About offer process