Choosing between a volume builder versus local custom builder

Living in the Macedon Ranges I’ve heard it time and time again, “should I go with a volume builder or pay a little extra for a boutique builder?” Let’s start off by working out what the differences are:

Volume Builder - Typically have a set number of plans / drawings that you can choose from. Build over 100 homes a year and have several staff / employees. House build prices are generally cheaper due to large volume of trades & materials.

Boutique or Custom Builder - Typically builds 1-10 homes per year. Can build whatever plans you provide them with. Can help you with design elements and make changes on the fly. Has low number of employees meaning you get to know who you’re dealing with closely throughout the building process. House build prices are generally more expensive due to low volume of houses being built and more time spent to each build.

Depending on your situation you may want to have your house built for the absolute cheapest price in a set style so you don’t have to think about it, and that’s fine. Or you may want to spend a bit more on your house to be customised to suit you and your families needs which includes the orientation of the block, proximity to established trees and the undulation of the land. Either way you need to make a decision based on your particular needs.

Personally if you are building a home to rent out as an investment and don’t have the time to deal with all the questions a custom home builder will ask you then I’d definitely recommend you go with a volume builder that will get the job done to Australian Standards and be gone. However if this is your 2nd or 3rd home that you plan on staying in for the foreseeable future then I would recommend you sign up with a custom home builder. This way you’ve already lived in a house for a number of years and know what works for you and what doesn’t. You can incorporate as little or as much into your new home and also have as little or as much involvement in the construction process as you please.

Another thing you need to think about when moving to the Macedon Ranges is the council permit process and the time it takes to have your housing permission granted (3-6 months in most cases). So planning out when you want to be moved into your new home is crucial and if you decide you want to make changes to your dream home (especially after obtaining your building permit!) which again you will get more local knowledge and insight from a custom builder.

The choice is yours!