Custom Home Builder vs. Project Home Builder - Which option is best for you?
When it comes to building a new home, the sheer volume of information available and decisions to make can be overwhelming, making it difficult to see a clear path forward. First of all, do you go for a custom home builder? Or a project home builder? How do you know which option is right for you?
We’ve pulled together the various options available to you, to help you decide which path is best suited for your new home goals and circumstances, to deliver a home you love.
Firstly, you need to decide if you’re in the market for a brand-new home, whether that be on a vacant block of land, or undertaking a knockdown rebuild. Alternatively, you may love certain aspects of your existing home, and want to undertake a renovation to increase the footprint, improve the layout, and update the fixtures and finishes. Depending on the size and scope of your renovation, there may be a tipping point where you are in danger of over-capitalising, and it may be more beneficial to consider a knockdown rebuild.
Project Home Builders will only undertake the construction of brand-new homes and tend to steer away from steep and difficult to access blocks. If your land falls into this category, or if you’re wanting to work on the existing “bones” of your current home, you can hire full-service custom home builders who provide architectural design and construction services (like MILEHAM). Alternatively, you can choose a standalone architect and a separate builder.
What can Custom Home Builders and Project Builders do?
Lifestyle, needs, and aspirations differ from family to family. Are you happy to adjust and fit into a ready-made house design? Or are you looking for a bespoke design tailored to your family’s way of life and unique design aesthetic?
Custom Home Builders
Most who choose to engage Custom Home Builders are looking for the flexibility to have a unique home designed to reflect their taste, personality, and lifestyle. It’s about the power of making choices and the freedom to select exactly what you want within your set budget.
An initial consultation with an architect will typically involve a site visit to get a better understanding of the block you’re building on, how to capitalise on its best features, gain insight into your family’s unique lifestyle, and understand how you envisage utilising various living spaces now and into the future.
It’s important to also discuss your budget upfront so plans can be designed according to your build budget.
Initial design concepts will be customised to optimise your block including slope, the position of the sun, capitalising on the best outlook, and providing the most privacy.
Your architect will work with you to make any changes or suggestions based on your feedback to stay within the target budget.
Investing a little more time upfront in the design process may add a few extra months to your timeline, however, it’s time well spent knowing that you’ll have a home uniquely designed for your needs now, and into the future, as well as having a design which is best suited for your particular block.
Project Home Builders
Project home builders have a design team that delivers “off the shelf” floor plans and finishes to accommodate a wide range of customers within a set budget.
You may be able to visit their display homes to view their most popular designs, or be directed to an online catalogue to view home designs suitable to your block size.
Given these designs are created in isolation, they will rarely consider the specific pros and cons of your block – like the orientation of the house and windows so that you can get the best light, a good outlook, and/or privacy from the neighbours.
Rather than a design being customised to your family and the way you live, you will need to search for the closest design fit and may need to compromise in certain areas such as choice of fittings or fixtures, or floorplan layout.
In most instances, while you can choose your preferred façade on the house, this will only be seen at the front of the property, with a standard finish applied to the rest of the house.
Once you select a design there is little flexibility. Making changes to designs will attract additional charges adding to the overall final cost, and you may only be limited to a few small variations (like where a door or window is located, or the type of kitchen benchtop material, or style available to choose).
Given you are not involved in the upfront design process, you may save some time and get your home build started a little quicker.
Materials, Fixtures and Fittings
The materials used in the foundation and frame construction of a home are the same, regardless of whether you’re using a project or custom home builders. The major differences come into play once you start looking into windows, doors, flooring, cabinetry, tiles, vanities, fixtures, and fittings.
Custom Home Builders
Customisation and flexibility are the greatest advantages in choosing custom home builders.
There’s no limit to your options, and custom home builders can source bespoke products and finishes to suit your unique home.
They also offer the flexibility you may need throughout your build if for any reason you change your mind about a design layout, fitting or finish.
Project Home Builders
Project home builders save money by purchasing basic standard materials and products en masse.
Within a set package price, you will be offered limited choices on a range of basic materials and finishes. There is little room for customisation and upgrading to higher-quality materials will result in a substantial price increase.
If you’re viewing a display home, they are often fitted out with lots of costly optional extras which won’t be included in the basic package. Be sure to ask if what you’re seeing is what you’re getting.
Here’s an example of the different materials and finishes to consider:
Budget
In the budget equation, a low-cost build will come at the expense of customisation, choice, flexibility, and finishes. Here are a few things to consider:
If you’re choosing Project Home Builders, ensure your quote factors in all additional costs (eg: demolition of your existing house and site preparation, any customisation or changes to the existing plans, upgrades to quality finishes, driveway, landscaping, etc.).
Working with Custom Home Builders that also provide in-house design services should allow you to receive more accurate cost estimates through the process, and if you change your mind along the way, modifications can be made in an attempt to stick within your planned budget.
Custom Home Builders will require a larger budget, however, homes that are architecturally designed with high-quality finishes will retain and increase their value over a longer period.
Conclusion
While there are many factors in play that will help steer you down a certain path, ultimately, the road taken will most likely be determined by cost versus flexibility.
If you’re looking to build a new home on a flat block, have a budget of $600k, and are happy picking a pre-designed home via a catalogue with a limited range of fixtures and finishes, then a Project Home Builder will be the most cost-effective option.
On the flip side, if you’re passionate about building a timeless home that’s customised to your taste and lifestyle, are looking to renovate your existing home, or if you’re located on a sloping/restricted access block, then a Custom Home Builder is going to be your best way forward.
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Using a design and build vs. build only company - which option is best for your home renovation?
Still not sure if a Custom Home Builder or Project Home Builder is best suited for you? We are here to help guide you through your decision making. Book a no-obligation, complimentary consultation with MILEHAM today to discuss the specifics of your project.
