Custom Builder Vs Volume Builder

Deciding on a builder for your new home or home extension is a super important task that you need to spend a lot of hours researching and making sure you select the right one for you.

 But not all builders are created equal, and you can generally categorise builders in to two major categories.

Those two categories are Custom Builders and Volume Builders, also known as project builders.

Volume Builders

A volume builder as the word implies is a builder that builds in volume and therefore to create efficiencies and build to the number of builds required for the company to profit, they work off a cookie cutter approach.

 What do I mean by this, well they simply build using pre designed floor plans and elevations.

Custom Builder

A custom builder on the other hand has no designs on hand and works solely off the homeowners briefing and site. Every build these builders construct will be different to the next, and designed solely for the purpose of the site orientation and homeowner who owns the land or existing home in the case of home renovations and extensions. 

There are advantages to using both builders and the end decision as to who you will end up selecting to build with will come down to your needs and wants when considering the overall project.

The most important things to consider when making that decision are to consider the below aspects of the build:

• Flexibility
• Money 
• Service 

Flexibility 

As the name would suggest this is where the custom builders excel.

A custom builder builds to your needs and wants. You as the home owners will work along side a designer and builder to get the floor plan exactly how you want it and the exterior elevations exactly how you want them to look. 

Of course, subject to national construction codes and restrictions enforced by local council.

If you decide you would like a white kitchen sink, a black pull put mixer tap in the kitchen , an in wall toilet cistern with floor to ceiling mosaic tiles in the ensuite bathroom- then your wish is the builders command. If you prefer to have the parents retreat upstairs and the laundry a way away from the kids bedroom then that is where the designer will place it on the drafted plans.

Flexibility to a custom builder is second nature.

A volume builder on the other hand will work off a base design and allow for certain “upgrades” to occur which are all within in the realm of capabilities for that builder. The extent to which they can be flexible on design is very dependent on company procedures and what their standard selections and allowances are. I have heard of some builders not even offering a porcelain toilet!

Further to this the price increases jumps and jump more as you add on more variations with volume builders.

Price

Now, this is where the volume builders generally shine, as they have worked their systems so much that they have competitive pricing on all aspects of their builds.

Their economies of scale have been tested and tested so much so that they are able to obtain cheaper build costs overall. They have worked out the most efficient way to build selected design over and over that they could do it blind folded! Ok so that is impossible, but you get where I am going here…

 The custom builder on the other hand has never built YOUR design before so as each home is unique to the next, the ability to get economies of scale is near impossible. Also, the time it takes to design the home and then the time it takes to make variations through out the build all add up to money.

We all know the saying time is money and this is where the custom builder needs to factor in time for administration and time for precision and attention to detail for certain trades. Remember each bathroom layout is different to the next. From where the nib wall is in the shower to where the toilet roll holder sits on the wall.

So when considering price generally speaking the volume builder wins if they are building a home that is part of their standard range. You must pay for flexibility when considering a build! 

Service

This is a debated topic and one that will depend on the builder.

Generally speaking, a volume builder likes to build in volumes and therefore have a number of staff to help this number of homes to come out of the ground.

 A custom builder on the other hand requires a level of attention to detail and therefore they generally have less homes being built and less staff in the office that you as the homeowner will deal with.

 In my experience the less staff you must deal with on one project the more attention you get as a customer and overall, the better experience you have.

 When dealing with a volume builder the standard in Perth Wester Australia is to deal with a sales rep, a prestart person, admin person maybe one, two or three, a supervisor and you will probably never meet the builder! 

Most custom home builders you will probably deal with 3-4 staff members depending on their size.

Conclusion 

When deciding between either a volume builder or a custom builder it will really come down to your needs and wants in relation to the price of the build, the flexibility of design and the level of personal touch you require from your builder.

You have to pay for flexibility and custom designed homes, as the time and effort involved to get you the perfect home comes at a cost. But are you willing to pay for that?

Only you can decide.... 

At Distinct Renovations we are a custom builder, and we only take on a select number of jobs a year. You will deal with one staff member as the admin, prestart and salesperson all in one and the builder as your builder and site supervisor.

Your designer and interior designer will collaborate with Distinct Renovations to get you your truly custom home or home renovation and extension. 

 If you are interested in building a custom home or renovation and like the idea of dealing with a smaller builder feel free to reach out to us now by filling in our contact us page.