Toll Brothers
The luxury new construction standard in Chicago's western suburbs
Toll Brothers is the nation's leading luxury homebuilder, and their Chicago-area communities represent the top of the new construction market in the western suburbs. They build larger homes on larger lots with more architectural detail, more structural options, and a more comprehensive design studio experience than any other builder in this market. If budget allows, Toll Brothers consistently delivers the best combination of quality, design, and long-term value.
Toll Brothers' design studio — the gold standard
Toll Brothers' design studio process is the most comprehensive of any builder in this market. Buyers work with a dedicated design consultant over multiple appointments to select everything from structural options (room additions, extended garages, finished basements) to finishes, fixtures, and smart home features. The process takes longer than other builders — plan for 2–4 design studio appointments — but the result is a home that feels genuinely personalized. Upgrade budgets at Toll Brothers can run $50,000–$150,000+ above base price.
Why it matters for buyers
- Full structural customization — room additions, extended garages, finished basements
- Dedicated design consultant across multiple appointments for a truly personalized home
- Widest selection of finishes, fixtures, and smart home features of any builder in this market
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best build quality of the four major builders — more consistent craftsmanship
- Most comprehensive design studio — widest selection of finishes and structural options
- Larger lots and more architectural variety than production builders
- Strong resale appreciation — Toll Brothers communities hold value well
- Toll Brothers Mortgage for competitive jumbo financing
- Better warranty service reputation than other national builders
Cons
- Highest base prices — significant premium over Lennar or D.R. Horton
- Design studio upgrades can add $100,000+ to final price
- Longer build timelines — typically 10–14 months from contract to close
- Fewer communities in the western suburbs than Lennar or D.R. Horton
Warranty Coverage
Structural
10 Years
10-year structural warranty
Mechanical
2 Years
2-year mechanical systems warranty
Workmanship
1 Year
1-year workmanship warranty
Insider Tip — Sergio's Warranty Perspective
"Toll Brothers' warranty service is the best of the four builders I cover. They're more responsive and more thorough. That said, the 1-year workmanship window still applies — get your 11-month inspection done. At this price point, there's no reason not to hire an independent inspector."
Toll Brothers incentives in Naperville, St. Charles & the western suburbs
Toll Brothers negotiates more than most buyers realize — and more than their premium brand image suggests. In Naperville and St. Charles, where they compete at the $550K–$800K+ price point, the right approach can unlock $30,000–$60,000 in combined incentives. The key is knowing what to ask for and when.
- Closing cost assistance of $10,000–$20,000 when financing through Toll Brothers Mortgage — at their price points this is a smaller percentage than lower-priced builders but still meaningful in absolute dollars
- Design studio credits of $10,000–$30,000 on select communities — Toll Brothers' design studio is the most extensive of any builder in the western suburbs; these credits go toward structural options, premium flooring, custom cabinetry, and luxury fixtures
- Lot premium waivers on select homesites — Toll Brothers carries significant lot premiums ($15,000–$50,000) on premium sites; in slower markets they will waive these entirely on sites that have been available for 90+ days
- Rate buydown programs through Toll Brothers Mortgage — 2-1 and 3-2-1 buydowns have been available in the Naperville and St. Charles markets; at Toll Brothers' loan sizes these can reduce monthly payments by $400–$700 in year one
- Structural option credits — Toll Brothers sometimes offers to include structural upgrades (finished basements, extended garages, morning rooms) at reduced cost or as part of a package deal on slower-moving plans
- Quick delivery home pricing — Toll Brothers' QD homes in Naperville and St. Charles are often priced $25,000–$50,000 below an equivalent to-be-built home and already include design studio upgrades
How to negotiate — Sergio's playbook
Toll Brothers' sales managers have more pricing authority than any other national builder in this market — and they expect buyers to negotiate. The most effective approach: (1) Come in with a specific competing offer from another premium builder or a resale comp. (2) Ask about lot premium waivers first — this is where Toll Brothers has the most flexibility. (3) If you are interested in a QD home, ask what the original list price was and what the current price is — the gap tells you how motivated they are. (4) Ask for a design studio credit in lieu of a price reduction — Toll Brothers prefers this because it does not affect their reported sale price. (5) Having a buyer's agent who has closed Toll Brothers transactions gives you significant leverage — their sales team knows which agents know the market.
Toll Brothers negotiates more than most buyers realize. In a slower market, lot premium waivers and design studio credits are often available — but you have to ask. Having a buyer's agent who knows the market gives you leverage the builder's sales team will not volunteer. Never go into a Toll Brothers sales office without representation — their sales team is professional and experienced, and an unrepresented buyer leaves money on the table.
Active communities in the western suburbs
Current Toll Brothers communities — availability changes frequently.
Floor plan library
Representative floor plans available in Toll Brothers's western suburbs communities. Availability varies by community — contact Sergio for current options.
Ashford
Formal dining, 3-car garage, study
Devonshire
Two-story great room, chef's kitchen
Kensington
Full basement, 4-car garage, outdoor living
Pemberton
Casita option, resort-style outdoor area
* Floor plans and pricing subject to change. Not all plans available in all communities. Contact Sergio for current availability.
Commute & lifestyle
How Toll Brothers communities connect to Chicago and the western suburbs lifestyle.
Metra access
45–60 min by Metra
Average to Chicago Loop
Highway access
Toll Brothers communities are designed for privacy and space — walkability scores are low by design. Lakewood Valley (Aurora) and Timber Trails (South Elgin) are both within 15 min of major retail and dining.
Nearby stations
Bike infrastructure
Internal community trails; Fox River Trail accessible from Aurora communities; regional paths near South Elgin
Sergio's Take
Sergio's honest assessment
Toll Brothers is the best new construction option in the western suburbs for buyers who can afford it. The quality difference is real — not just in finishes, but in how the home is built. Framing, insulation, mechanical systems — all better than the production builders. The design studio process is genuinely enjoyable if you go in prepared. My advice: set a firm upgrade budget before your first design appointment and bring it with you. It's easy to spend $30,000 more than you planned in a single afternoon.
Sergio Zgrzebski
REALTOR®
Video tour
Toll Brothers — builder overview & community tour
Watch Sergio's walkthrough of Toll Brothers communities in Chicago's western suburbs.
Video coming soon
A YouTube or Vimeo tour will appear here once added.
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