Semi-Custom Homes in Appleton & the Fox Cities
Ready-to-build floor plans designed for comfort, style, and efficiency.
A Smarter Way to Build Your New Home
Semi-custom homes by Midwest Design Homes give you the perfect balance of convenience and flexibility. Get an affordable custom home without starting from scratch to skip the overwhelm and expedite your timeline.
Our team helps you personalize the details from a tried-and-true floor plan, from cabinetry and countertops to exterior finishes and smart features, so your new home feels truly yours. Whether you’re building in Appleton, Green Bay, or a surrounding Fox Cities neighborhood, you’ll enjoy a streamlined process backed by decades of local expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Semi-Custom Homes
- What is the difference between a semi-custom and a custom home?expand_more
- Semi-custom homes start with an existing and proven floor plan, while still allowing you to make design choices and upgrades. A full custom home is designed entirely from scratch.
- What’s the difference between a move-in ready home and a semi-custom home?expand_more
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A move-in ready home is already built or nearly complete, making it ideal for buyers who want a faster, more predictable path to homeownership with minimal decisions.
A fast-start custom home begins with one of our pre-designed, proven floor plans and allows you to personalize layouts, finishes, and features without starting from scratch.
Fast-start homes offer more flexibility than a move-in ready option, while still providing quicker timelines and clearer pricing than a fully custom build. Both options deliver the same quality craftsmanship, just with different levels of customization and speed.
- How much do semi-custom homes cost in Green Bay and the Fox Cities?expand_more
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Most semi-custom homes fall between $400K–$650K, depending on size, finishes, and chosen upgrades.
The cost of building a home is driven by factors like square footage, structural complexity, design time, material selections, and site conditions.
Fully custom homes typically cost more because they start from scratch and involve more design hours, unique details, and custom pricing.
Fast-start custom homes help control costs by starting with proven floor plans and pre-established pricing, while still allowing personalization.
Move-in ready homes are usually the most cost-efficient because design decisions are already made and construction is further along, reducing both time and variability.
- Can I make changes to the floor plan in a semi-custom home?expand_more
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Yes. Many aspects of our existing floor plans are adjustable. We wouldn't call them 'fast-start custom' if you weren't able to make tailored personalizations. They would simply be generic new construction homes.
This is still a personalized experience, but it streamlines many of the details by starting with the closet fit plan. Many clients adjust layouts with minor modifications such as expanding kitchens, adding bedrooms, or finishing basements.
- Do semi-custom homes save time compared to full custom builds?expand_more
- Yes. Because the floor plan is pre-designed, the design phase is shorter, and construction often moves more quickly. In fact, we often call these projects 'fast-start custom homes' because of the abbreviated planning and design phase.
- Will my semi-custom home look like my neighbor’s?expand_more
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No. We offer ample floor plans, so most neighborhoods are naturally architecturally varied.
Even if two families start with the same plan, the selections and upgrades you choose at our Design Center ensure your home is unique. - Do I need to own land before building, or will Midwest Design Homes help me find it?expand_more
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You don’t need to own land before getting started. We have lots available for sale and can help you find the right location throughout the Fox Cities, including communities like Appleton, Kaukauna, Greenville, Grand Chute, Neenah, Menasha, De Pere, and surrounding areas.
Our local knowledge helps you evaluate neighborhoods, zoning, and site conditions with confidence. If you already own a lot, we’re happy to build on your land as well.
Our Favorite Home Plans, Your Curated Touch
Finding the right home plan is one of the most exciting first steps. Your best option for your custom home may be beginning with our refined a collection of floor plans, so you can quickly start on your build with every aspect on your wishlist. Each plan serves as a starting point that you can personalize to match your family’s lifestyle. Explore our favorites below and imagine the possibilities for your new home in Appleton, Green Bay, and the Fox Cities.
The
Weston
The
Dalton
The
Elm
The
Spruce
The
Hawthorne
The
Beechwood
The
Speedway
The
Clover
The
Daylily
Many homeowners also choose to include these upgrades when investing in a semi-custom home project:
Our Semi-Custom Home Design-Build Process
Explore Fox Cities Semi-Custom Home Inspiration
Boxer Street
Sunstone Place
Bear Paw Trail
Spartan Drive
Jasper Lane
Beckett Lane
Where We Work
At Midwest Design Homes, we proudly serve families throughout the Fox Cities and Northeast Wisconsin. From Appleton to Green Bay, our team brings decades of experience designing and building homes that fit the character of each community. Whether you’re looking for a fully custom home or a curated semi-custom plan, we focus on creating lasting value in the most sought-after neighborhoods and counties.
Don’t see your area listed? Contact us to learn if we can bring our expertise to your community.
Our Service Area
- Appleton
- Green Bay
- Neenah
- Menasha
- Little Chute
- Wrightstown
- Bellevue
- Lake Winnebago
- Greenville
- Kaukauna
- Outagamie County
- Howard
- Hobart
- Freedom
- Greenleaf
- Brown County
- Calumet County
- Winnebago County
- Harrison
- Sherwood
- Stockbridge
- Hortonville
What Our Clients Think
"We couldn't be happier with MDH! They have been fantastic from the start and going through the entire build process. They have made building our dream home very easy and not stressful at all. Their attention to detail and the quality of their work speaks for itself. Their staff is very friendly and very easy to work with."
Mike H.
Custom Home
"I had the best experience working with Liz. She was able to meet with me around my schedule, answered my questions in a timely manner and was just a wonderful person in general. Even though I ended up going a different route for now, Midwest Design Homes will have my business in the future!"
Kara H.
Custom Home
"We loved buying our home with MDH so much that we hired them to finish our basement. We purchased one of their spec homes after construction and were impressed by the design—my wife loved it as is. Chris, our Project Manager for closing, made the process smooth. Later, Danny managed our basement project, which was completed quickly, professionally, and stress-free. We highly recommend MDH for high-quality new homes, and for more customized builds, their Jon Huss Custom Homes division."
Jon J.
Custom Home
"We bought our house (turnkey) in April 2023. We couldn't be more happy with it. We didn't have to pick anything out which made it really easy. We just had to add our own decorative touches. Love the storage in the walk in pantry!"
Steve V.
Custom Home
Start Your Homebuilding Journey
Expert guidance and a trusted process from the very first conversation.
If you’re ready to design a semi-custom home, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation and discover how simple building your dream home can be.