What is the Difference Between a Custom Builder and a Project Builder?
When you’re building the home of your dreams, one of the first aspects to consider is the type of builder you’ll use. Whether it’s your first build or what will become your forever home, it’s crucial to start building your home on the right footing by choosing the right builder. If you’ve researched builders and left with more questions than answers, we’re here to help.
This article explains what custom builders and project builders are and describes the differences between them. For personalised advice, contact our team at Varcon Group today.
What is a Custom Builder?
A custom builder has your vision and goals in mind from the outset. No matter your vision for your new home, their mission is to bring it to life. Whether this is a luxurious, modern retreat near the city or an eco-friendly, sustainable haven in the bush, a custom builder aims to make your dream come true.
They begin their process by discussing your vision for your home with you in detail, ensuring that you’re on the same page. A custom builder will then work closely with you through every stage of the design and build, making sure your home meets your practical needs while looking like what you imagined. There may be aspects you haven’t considered or areas where you’d like their opinion. Many custom builders will have built many custom homes over the years, and while each home is unique, an experienced custom builder will have invaluable insight to offer that you won’t find elsewhere.
Custom builders tend to take on fewer builds than project builders, so you’ll receive highly personalised service. This means your home will be a top priority rather than just another house on the list. Ultimately, they aim to maximise your home’s quality and minimise the compromise you may need to make. You’ll end up with a completely personalised home that suits you and your family, while the journey towards it will be flexible and laser-focused.
What is a Project Builder?
Using a project builder means you’ll choose a home from a selection of pre-made designs made by that company. If you’ve visited a display village, the homes you’ve seen there are built by project builders. While a project builder doesn’t offer a custom design, they do offer you the ability to walk through an example of what your finished home could look like.
This option suits some people and families, while others prefer the idea of custom builders. You may prefer working with a project builder if you’re not concerned about having a personalised home and are comfortable with potentially compromising on some aspects. There may be some flexibility in some factors like the finishes and appliances, but this depends on the specific builder and the package you choose.
Essentially, a project builder delivers a beautiful, brand-new home, but it won’t be personalised in the way a custom builder will build your home. This means that a project builder is typically the more budget-friendly option.
What is the Difference Between a Custom Builder and a Project Builder?
There are pros and cons for both custom builders and project builders. As such, it’s key to understand the differences between them to ensure you choose the right builder for your home. Some of the main points of difference to keep in mind are:
Custom builder:
Pros:
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- Select team
- A fully customised home built with your exact needs in mind
Ability to build where you want, for example on a sloping, battleaxe, or narrow block - Quotes include all aspects of the finished product, including demolition, earthworks, building retaining walls, etc
- Building a relationship with your builder and their team
- Site meetings
- Generally faster delivery
Cons:
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- No display home to help visualise the final product
- Typically more expensive, depending on the scope and complexity of the build
- Smaller, newer companies may have less evidence of a proven track record showcasing their work
Project builder:
Pros:
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- Display homes available to view
- Typically lower price, depending on factors such as the builder, packages, finishes, etc
- Builders may have more extensive portfolios of completed projects
Cons:
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- Standardised home plans, leaving little to no room for customisation
- Dealing with salespeople with often little knowledge of the build process
- Generally unable to build on complex blocks
- Typically don’t include aspects such as demolition in the quote
All in all, you should feel comfortable with the builder you choose and confident that they will build your home in the way you want. Whether that’s completely customised or not, it’s your home, so ensure that you consider not only the final product, but also the journey towards it.
Ready to Build Your Custom Home?
When you’re looking for a custom luxury home builder in Melbourne, our team at Varcon Group is ready to help. With awards such as Business of the Year 2022 and Sustainable Leadership 2022 under our belts, you can trust us to deliver on every expectation you may have. For a functional and customised home, contact us to have us build excellence wherever you are in Melbourne.
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