Choosing Between a Custom Home Builder and a Project Builder: Why Resi Homes Stand Out

When embarking on the journey to build your dream home, one of the crucial decisions you'll face is choosing between a custom home builder and a project builder. Each option has its benefits and challenges, but understanding the differences can help you make an informed choice. In this blog, we'll compare custom home builders and project builders, address common misconceptions, and highlight why a custom builder like Resi Homes comes out ahead.

What is a Custom Home Builder?

A custom home builder offers personalised services, allowing you to create a home tailored to your specific needs, preferences, and block of land. They work closely with you throughout the process, ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision. On the other hand, a project builder provides pre-designed homes with limited customisation options, often resulting in a more standardised building experience. The minimum standards of a custom builder are usually equivalent to a project builder's gold or platinum upgrades.  

Key Comparisons between Custom Homes Builders and Project Builders:

Design Flexibility:

• Custom Home Builder: This option offers extensive design flexibility, allowing you to modify designs to suit your block size, shape, and personal preferences easily and stress-free. Resi Homes excels in tailoring homes to match your unique vision.

• Project Builder: Typically follows a set range of designs with limited customisation. Any significant changes can incur additional costs and delays.

Direct Communication:

• Custom Home Builder: You deal directly with the builder, ensuring clear and consistent communication. Resi Homes provides direct phone and email contact with the builder for the entirety of your build, offering a guarantee of quality and personal attention.

• Project Builder: Communication is often managed through sales representatives or supervisors, often with high staff turnover, sometimes leading to misunderstandings or delays.

Customer Importance:

• Custom Home Builder: Custom builders like Resi Homes prioritise client satisfaction, making you feel valued and involved in every step of the process. A custom home builder can supply you with reviews and testimonials from previous clients.  

• Project Builder: With a higher volume of projects, individual attention can be limited, and clients might feel like just another number.

Lead Times and Build Times:

• Custom Home Builder: Typically has shorter lead times for commencement (4-6 weeks) and build times (3-4 months), ensuring a quicker turnaround, saving substantial amounts on rent or interest payments.  

• Project Builder: Often has longer lead times (6 months) and build times (9 months), which can delay your move-in date.

In-House Employees:

• Custom Home Builder: Uses in-house employees on wages, ensuring better control over start dates and quality.

• Project Builder: Relies on subcontract trades, which can affect scheduling and quality control.

Cost and Budget Management:

• Custom Home Builder: Offers upfront, transparent, and honest pricing from the beginning before signing a contract.

• Project Builder: Often advertises false prices and gimmick bonuses to get you to sign, with hidden costs adding up later.

Quality and Craftsmanship:

• Custom Home Builder: Focuses on high-quality materials and craftsmanship, ensuring a superior build. Resi Homes is committed to delivering exceptional quality in every home. You can check if your potential builder has a quality record, including any defects and the number of builds, by visiting the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) website and searching via the company name.

• Project Builder: Often uses standardised materials and methods to keep costs down, sometimes impacting the overall quality.

Site Access During Construction:

• Custom Home Builder: Allows access to the site during construction without having to pre-book a meeting or inspection time.

• Project Builder: Requires pre-booked meetings or inspection times to visit the site.

Ability to Supply Materials:

• Custom Home Builder: Allows clients to supply certain materials or goods to keep costs down.

• Project Builder: Typically does not allow clients to supply their own materials.

Variation After Signing Contract:

• Custom Home Builder: Variations are only made if requested by the client.

• Project Builder: Variations are more common and can lead to additional costs.  

Common Misconceptions About Custom Home Builders

Cost Misconception:

• Misconception: Custom homes are prohibitively expensive.

• Reality: Custom homes may have a higher initial cost, but this is builder-dependent. On a comparative fixed-price quote, a custom home builder will often be cheaper as they have less overheads and price genuinely from the beginning.  

Time Misconception:

• Misconception: Custom homes take too long to build.

• Reality: Custom home builders only take on the work they can manage. They don’t overbook and don’t rely on sub-contractors, ensuring a faster build time.  

Complexity Misconception:

• Misconception: Building a custom home is too complicated.

• Reality: Custom home builders like Resi Homes guide you through every step, simplifying the process and making it an enjoyable experience.

Risk Misconception:

• Misconception: A custom home builder isn’t as financially stable.

• Reality: Custom home builders like Resi Homes are safer to work with as they do not try to buy work to fund cash flow. They only take on the work they can handle and see a job through from start to finish. With smaller monthly cashflow requirements and less overheads, custom builders can offer stronger financial stability.  ‍

‍Popularity Misconception:

• Misconception: So many people, especially first-home buyers, build with project builders, and surely, they must be better to deal with.  

• Reality: A custom home builder can assist with every step of the way, explaining each phase of what is a significant investment. We aim for it to be an enjoyable time and we truly relish the building process. We achieve this through clear and concise communication, efficient project management software, and a passion for building.

Why Choose Resi Homes as your Custom Home Builder?

At Resi Homes, we understand that building a home is more than just a construction project; it's about creating a space where memories are made. Our commitment to personalised service, superior quality, and client satisfaction sets us apart from project builders. We work closely with you to ensure your home reflects your personality, meets your needs, and stands the test of time.

As a custom builder, Resi Homes isn’t just running a business; we have a passion for building and the product we deliver.  

Choosing a custom home builder like Resi Homes means investing in a home that's uniquely yours, crafted with care and precision. Our transparent communication, flexible design options, and unwavering dedication to quality make us the ideal partner for your home-building journey.

Conclusion: The Benefits of Choosing a Custom Home Builder

When deciding between a custom home builder and a project builder, consider the benefits of a tailored approach that prioritises your vision and quality. With Resi Homes, you're not just building a house but creating a home that truly reflects who you are. Embrace the advantages of custom home building and let us bring your dream home to life.

Contact us today for more information on what a custom home builder is and how Resi Homes can help you achieve your dream!