How Gladiator Homes Keeps Homes Affordable Without Cutting Corners

Buying a new home in Iowa right now is not easy. Prices are up, rates have been unpredictable, and builders everywhere are dealing with higher material and labor costs.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has reported sharp increases in building material costs since the pandemic, which directly pushes new home prices higher and makes affordability a serious challenge for many families. They’ve also shown that construction costs now make up roughly two-thirds of the price of a new home, and the average new home price in the U.S. has climbed into the mid-$600,000s.

So if that’s the reality, how do we stay focused on affordable homes without building something that feels cheap or disposable?

So if builders everywhere are under pressure, how is Gladiator Homes managing to stay in the “affordable and quality” lane without building something that feels cheap or disposable

Let’s break down what they are actually doing behind the scenes.

This page walks through what we actually do behind the scenes to keep our homes in reach without cutting corners on quality.

What “affordable” really means for Gladiator Homes

When we say we’re an affordable home builder in the Des Moines metro and surrounding communities, we don’t mean the lowest price at any cost. We mean:

Homes that fit real family budgets
Floor plans that prioritize livable space over “brag” square footage
Materials and systems that hold up over years of Iowa seasons

If you look at our floor plans and interactive home designer, you’ll see real numbers attached to real homes, not just “starting at” ranges.

For example (pricing examples only; see our tools for current numbers):

Gemini 2 – around 1,288 sq ft, 4 beds, 3 baths
Laser 2 – around 1,333 sq ft, 4 beds, 3 baths
Blaze 3 – around 1,646 sq ft, 4 beds, 3 baths
Blaze 4 – around 1,825 sq ft, 4 beds, 3 baths

These homes are designed to live like much larger homes by using space smartly, not by stretching square footage until the price becomes unreachable.

NAHB data shows most buyers today are looking for homes roughly in the 1,600–3,000 sq ft range, and many new homes being built across the country are significantly larger and more expensive than what first-time or move-up buyers can realistically afford. Our plans lean toward the efficient end of that range on purpose

We design smarter floor plans, not stripped-down houses

Keeping homes affordable is not about removing everything that feels nice. It’s about doing more with every square foot.

Across our plans, names like Gemini, Laser, Blaze, Sabre and Turbo, you’ll notice a few patterns:

Less wasted hallway space
We pull square footage into living areas, bedrooms and kitchens instead of long corridors.
Kitchens that work in real life
We design spaces where families actually cook, eat and gather, not tiny kitchens and dining rooms that only look good in a brochure.
Repeatable, proven layouts
We reuse smart structural ideas across multiple floor plans. That keeps engineering and framing efficient and reduces surprises during construction.
Clear, focused options
You still get choices, but we don’t overwhelm you with hundreds of structural changes that can quietly add thousands of dollars to the price.

When you look at our homes in Waukee, Norwalk and other communities, you’ll see that these are not “bare minimum” homes. You’ll see modern elevations, open main floors, functional storage and real curb appeal, at prices that are still in reach for many Central Iowa buyers.

Where the savings actually come from

We don’t keep prices down by hiding cheap materials. The savings come from decisions we control: land, design, process and purchasing.

1. Right-sized homes in carefully chosen communities

We focus on metro communities like Waukee, Norwalk, Altoona, Bondurant and other Des Moines-area cities where:

Infrastructure and services are already in place
Lot sizes make sense for efficient building
Families get good access to schools, work and amenities

Instead of automatically building a 2,400+ sq ft home, many of our plans start in the 1,300–1,800 sq ft range and use those feet wisely. Smaller, efficient footprints reduce:

Foundation costs
Roofing and exterior wall area
Overall material and labor needed per home

That’s one of the biggest levers for affordability that doesn’t touch quality at all.

2. A focused family of floor plans

We build a set of floor plans that share structural DNA. That helps us:

Streamline framing and mechanical layouts
Shorten build times
Reduce waste on job sites
Keep trades familiar with how our homes go together

That consistency reduces risk and cost, which is something we pass along in the price of the home instead of using it purely to pad margins.

3. Buying power and trade relationships

We’re part of the same family of companies that includes established Iowa home builders and a commercial division. That scale matters.

Because we build multiple homes across multiple communities, we can:

Buy materials in volume
Standardize key components and finishes
Work with trusted trade partners who know our plans and expectations

At the same time NAHB is reporting that material costs have climbed significantly over the last few years, having that buying power helps us hold pricing in check without swapping in low-quality components that will fail early.

4. A streamlined build process

We break the journey into clear stages, from pre-construction to keys-in-hand, and we follow that process on every job.

A well-run build process means:

Fewer delays and fewer costly surprises
Less rework and fewer change orders
Better predictability for both you and our team

Time is money on a new home. The more we control schedule and communication, the less we have to add to the price just to cover uncertainty.

What “not cutting corners” looks like in real homes

Affordability doesn’t help anyone if the home feels flimsy after the first winter.

Here’s what “not cutting corners” means in practice for us:

Durable finishes in the right places
We prioritize materials that stand up to daily life in kitchens, baths and main living areas. That includes hard-surface flooring in high-traffic spaces and finishes that can take real use, not just a photo shoot.
Thoughtful layouts, not just big numbers
A 1,600 sq ft home with a great layout feels better than a 2,000 sq ft home full of wasted space. We care more about how the home lives than what the spec sheet says.
Quality you can feel on a walkthrough
Solid stairs, doors that close well, a kitchen that functions, exteriors that feel well-proportioned to the lot, those are all signs we’re not chasing the cheapest possible path.
Warranty and support
We stand behind our work. New homes include structural and mechanical coverage, and we have a process for warranty service so you’re not left on your own if something needs attention.

What this means for your actual budget

When you put all of this together, right-sized homes, efficient floor plans, buying power and a tight build process, you get something that’s increasingly rare: new construction that still makes sense for a normal household budget.

In practical terms, that means:

Many of our homes are priced well below the national average new home price
You’re not forced into paying for square footage you don’t really want or need
You get a home that feels modern and livable without a long list of expensive “mandatory” upgrades

We can’t control interest rates or national economic trends. We can control how we design, build and price our homes. That’s where we focus our effort.

How to explore Gladiator Homes for yourself

If you’re trying to decide whether a Gladiator home fits your budget and lifestyle, here’s a simple way to start:

1. Browse homes that are available now or soon

Visit our Available Homes page to see homes under construction or ready for move-in across the Des Moines metro. You’ll see real addresses, photos and pricing so you can get a feel for what’s possible.

2. Compare floor plans and options

Head to our Floor Plans page to explore the Gemini, Blaze, Laser, Sabre, Turbo and other plans. Then use our Personalize Floor Plan tool (if available on your site) to test different layouts and options against your budget.

3. Visit open houses

Check our Open Houses page to find upcoming opportunities to walk our homes in person. Nothing replaces the feeling of standing in the kitchen, walking the main floor and seeing how the layout works for you.

4. Talk with our team

When you’re ready, reach out through our Contact Us page. We’re happy to talk about:

Pricing and current incentives
Communities and lot availability
Timelines and what to expect at each step

We’ll walk through everything in plain language so you can decide if building with us is the right move for you and your family.

A final word on “affordable without cutting corners”

Housing affordability is a real challenge. NAHB and other industry groups have been sounding the alarm for years about how rising costs are pushing many buyers out of the market.

Our goal at Gladiator Homes is simple:

Build homes that real people can afford, that we’re proud to put our name on, and that still feel good years after move-in.

We don’t chase “cheap.” We chase smart, smart plans, smart material choices, smart communities and a smart process.

If that’s the kind of new home you’re looking for in the Des Moines area, we’d love for you to start exploring our Available Homes, browse our Floor Plans, and reach out through Contact Us when you’re ready to talk.

Your Affordable & Quality Home Builder in the Des Moines, Iowa Metro Area. In today’s market, “affordable” often equates to cutting corners, especially when it comes to home-building. But at Gladiator Homes, we challenge this notion. We believe in crafting affordable homes that are both accessible and unparalleled in quality. As top-rated affordable home builders, we focus on smaller-sized homes, achieving a perfect balance: spaces that are cozy yet not constrained, resonating with thoughtful design and top-tier building materials. So, whether you’re starting your home journey or downsizing, with Gladiator Homes, you don’t have to compromise. Experience a home where affordability meets impeccable craftsmanship.