Custom-Built Homes: Over 70% Prioritize or Consider Housing Performance Important; 'Earthquake Resistance' Tops the List of Desired Features

How much do you want to focus on 'home performance'?

When building a custom home, 'housing performance' is as perplexing as the floor plan and price.

While we hear terms like insulation, airtightness, and earthquake resistance more often, many people may wonder how much to prioritize them when it comes to their own home.

In recent years, events like earthquakes and extreme heat have forced us to be more conscious of the safety and comfort of our homes. While enhancing performance improves livability, the cost is also a concern.

Therefore, in collaboration with Suzuki Kankyo Kensetsu Co., Ltd., we conducted a survey on 'how much importance you would place on performance when building a house' targeting 86 men and women nationwide who had indicated in a preliminary survey that they 'plan to build a custom home in the future.'

*When citing the contents of this press release, please adhere to the following:

- State that the source is a 'survey by NEXER Inc. and Suzuki Kankyo Kensetsu Co., Ltd.'

- Include a link to Suzuki Kankyo Kensetsu Co., Ltd. (https://suzuki-kankyo.co.jp/).

Survey Overview: 'Questionnaire on the Importance of Performance in Custom-Built Homes'

Survey Method: Online questionnaire

Survey Period: May 15, 2026 - May 24, 2026

Survey Target: Men and women nationwide who answered in a preliminary survey that they 'plan to build a custom home in the future'

Valid Responses: 86 samples

Questions: Q1: When building a custom home, how much importance do you place on housing performance (insulation, airtightness, earthquake resistance, etc.)? Q2: Please tell us the reason. Q3: When building a custom home, which housing performance features are you particular about? (Multiple selections allowed) Q4: Please tell us the performance features you are particular about and the reasons. Q5: What are your concerns when considering a custom-built home? (Multiple selections allowed) Q6: Please tell us your biggest concern and the reason.

*As figures are generally rounded to the first decimal place, the total may not equal 100%.

74.4% want to prioritize 'top priority' or 'to some extent' housing performance

First, we asked how much importance they want to place on housing performance when building a custom home.

The results showed that 30.2% 'want to give it top priority' and 44.2% 'want to prioritize it to some extent,' totaling 74.4% who want to focus on housing performance. On the other hand, 20.9% 'want to prioritize other items like price and floor plan,' and only 4.7% 'do not place special importance' on it.

So, what are the reasons behind these thoughts?

We asked for the reasons for each answer, and here are some of them.

Those who answered 'want to give it top priority' or 'want to prioritize it to some extent': - 'To prepare for earthquakes.' (20s, female) - 'To make it last longer.' (20s, male) - 'Earthquake resistance is very important to avoid danger.' (30s, female) - 'To save on utility bills.' (30s, female) - 'I can't relax and live comfortably if the housing performance is not good.' (40s, male)

Those who answered 'want to prioritize other items like price and floor plan': - 'Price is important.' (20s, male) - 'Because there's a loan.' (30s, female) - 'Realistically, price and floor plan take priority.' (40s, female)

Those who answered 'do not place special importance': - 'I don't really understand it.' (30s, female) - 'I feel you don't know until you actually live in it, and there are few points of comparison.' (30s, male)

Reasons for prioritizing housing performance included preparing for earthquakes, earthquake resistance, and wanting the house to last long. Reasons related to daily life, such as saving on utility bills and living comfortably, were also mentioned.

Those who prioritize price and floor plan expressed that it is difficult to focus solely on housing performance considering budget and loans. While performance is important in a custom home, many people seem to consider the balance with cost and a livable floor plan.

Those who do not place special importance on it mentioned that it is difficult to judge housing performance. Although insulation, airtightness, and earthquake resistance are sometimes shown with numbers and standards, the difficulty in imagining the actual living comfort may contribute to the difficulty in judgment.

62.8% chose 'earthquake resistance' as the performance they want to focus on

Next, we asked about the specific housing performance features they want to focus on when building a custom home.

The most selected feature was 'earthquake resistance' at 62.8%.

This was followed by 'insulation performance' at 55.8%, 'sound insulation/proofing performance' at 41.9%, 'durability/maintainability' at 39.5%, and 'energy-saving performance (ZEH, etc.)' at 38.4%.

Furthermore, 'airtightness performance' was at 30.2%, 'ventilation/air quality' and 'balance with design' were both at 29.1%, and 'barrier-free performance' was at 18.6%.

We asked about the performance they are particular about and the reasons. Here are some of them.

- 'Earthquake resistance and soundproofing. For earthquake resistance, I want something sturdy enough to be used as a shelter during a disaster. Also, if laughter and musical instrument sounds are reduced, I won't have to be so considerate.' (20s, female) - 'Design and earthquake resistance. I want a strong house, but also one that is bright and has a lovely design.' (20s, female) - 'I live in an area with many earthquakes, so I want to focus on earthquake resistance.' (20s, male) - 'I'm particularly concerned about noise, so I want to be thorough with soundproofing.' (30s, female) - 'Insulation performance. The summer heat is severe due to global warming, so I want to block the outside heat and live comfortably.' (40s, male) - 'Because heating and cooling costs change with the power of insulation.' (40s, male)

Reasons for emphasizing earthquake resistance included preparing for earthquakes and a sense of security during disasters. For those living in earthquake-prone areas, the strength of the house seems to be a major deciding factor.

Regarding sound insulation/proofing, there were comments about wanting to live without worrying about daily life noises or musical instruments. For insulation, people cited reasons like dealing with summer heat and its effect on heating and cooling costs, indicating an awareness of daily comfort and expenses.

61.6% chose 'construction costs/budget overruns' as a concern during consideration

Finally, we asked about their concerns when considering a custom-built home.

The most common concern was 'construction costs/budget overruns' at 61.6%.

This was followed by 'how to choose a house builder/construction company' at 25.6%, 'not knowing how to assess housing performance' at 24.4%, and 'mortgage/financial planning' at 22.1%.

This reveals not just concerns about the cost itself, but also confusion about 'how to decide,' such as choosing a contractor and judging performance.

We asked about their biggest concern and the reasons. Here are some of them.

- 'I'm worried about going over budget.' (20s, female) - 'Finding land. I'm anxious about being deceived.' (20s, female) - 'How much to customize and the resulting increase in cost.' (30s, female) - 'I'm worried that the more I customize things like electrical outlets and specific parts, the more the price will increase.' (30s, female) - 'I don't know where to start.' (30s, female) - 'I don't know which construction company will be supportive and help me build my house.' (40s, male)

Many voices expressed anxiety about budget overruns and rising costs. With custom-built homes, costs can easily change depending on the performance, equipment, and detailed specifications, so many people seem to struggle with how much of their wishes to reflect.

There were also concerns about finding land and choosing a construction company. The difficulty in knowing where to start and which contractor will be supportive seems to contribute to the anxiety when considering a custom-built home.

Summary

In this survey, about 74% of people who want to build a custom home answered that they want to prioritize housing performance. Among them, interest in earthquake resistance and insulation performance was high. It seems that preparing for earthquakes and comfort to withstand heat and cold are emphasized in home building.

On the other hand, deep-rooted anxieties about construction costs and choosing a contractor also remained.

Even if there is a desire to prioritize performance, it seems that not a few people are confused about costs and how to proceed.

That is why finding a partner who can carefully explain the meaning of performance and the balance with cost may be the first step toward building a satisfying home.

<Regarding use in articles, etc.>

- State that the source is a 'survey by NEXER Inc. and Suzuki Kankyo Kensetsu Co., Ltd.'

- Include a link to Suzuki Kankyo Kensetsu Co., Ltd. (https://suzuki-kankyo.co.jp/).

[About Suzuki Kankyo Kensetsu Co., Ltd.]

Location: 2-5-15 Minaminakazato, Ishinomaki-shi, Miyagi 986-0814

Representative Director: Sadayoshi Suzuki

TEL: 0225-24-9361

URL: https://suzuki-kankyo.co.jp/

Business: New construction, renovation, insulation renovation, solar power generation systems

[About NEXER Inc.]

Head Office: 11F Rise Arena Bldg., 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013

Representative Director: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

Business: SEO, Web Branding, Web Advertising, Website Production, Media