Do I use an Architect, Custom Builder or Volume Builder for my new home?
As you collect your Pinterest images in preparation for building your new home, you will face the question of where to start. Do you choose a volume builder offering low prices, a custom builder in the local area, or an architect to provide a unique, one-off home design?
In this article, I will outline the differences between the three, so you can decide which is better for you.
Volume Builders & Modular Homes
A Volume Home Builder (also called Project Home builder) offers a set of pre-designed house plans. These plans are usually designed for flat, rectangular blocks and don't consider complex sites, bush fire regulations, views, natural lighting and your lifestyle. Some will allow minor changes to their plans, if any, and will likely charge you a hefty mark-up. This is because the key to a Volume Home Builder's business model is to know precisely what they are building down to the last nail.
Advantages of Volume Home Builders & Modular Homes
They have extensive buying power because project builders have a higher volume of house builds and can negotiate better material prices. These savings are generally passed on to you, making some packages irresistibly cheap.
They offer a range of plans to suit most first-time homeowners.
They also can offer houses and land as a package.
Disadvantages of Project Home Builders & Modular Homes
Bulk purchasing means you have limited ability to customize.
House plans are not site-specific, meaning site costs can be expensive, and the passive performance of your plan is dependent on site selection.
Rarely provide a complete turn-key solution to reduce the advertised sale price. Contracts generally have a lot of exclusions.
Tradespeople and sub-contractors are usually not local, often poorly paid and on a strict time limit, compromising the build quality.
Architect & Custom Home Builder
There are many differences between an architect and a custom home builder, but the two go hand in hand when building a home, so they are worth discussing together. Many believe an architect and a builder have reasonably similar jobs, so they will contact an architect to do a builder's job and a builder to do an architect's job. This can create confusion from the very beginning, so here are a few key things to remember:
A builder can complete a project without the help of an architect, but an architect will never be able to work without a builder. If you engage a builder without an architect, you are the architect.
An architect has completed a formal education where they received a master's degree in architecture, giving them a unique skill set that allows them to visualize a specific design, aesthetic, or construction method in line with the customer's wishes. Whilst many custom home builders began their careers as carpenters refining their skills with years and years of hands-on experience.
An architect provides the vision of how the finished home will look and a set of drawings to build it. A custom home builder offers the most practical methodology to create this vision on time and within a specified budget learnt through years of trial and error.
Both will give you the flexibility to design your house and choice of materials and fixtures used, creating a unique, one-off home that is site-specific, factoring in all your individual needs.
Advantages of an Architect & Custom Home Builder
A unique, one-off home designed specifically for your needs.
Designed to suit your block of land and your budget.
Greater passive solar performance costs you less to heat and cool in the long term.
Flexibility to customize all building elements.
A greater level of one-on-one customer service.
Use highly skilled, local tradespeople with very high build quality and finish.
No hidden costs.
Can provide a complete turn-key solution, meaning all you will need to do is move in.
Disadvantages of an Architect & Custom Home Builder
Typically more expensive due to reduced buying power
Customization may lead to further costs due to the complexity in design and skills required to complete the build.
Conclusion
If you have a flat block with no severe zoning regulations, don't want a one-of-a-kind home, and can compromise on build quality to enjoy the lowest price, then a project home builder is best suited for you.
While if you want a unique home designed to take advantage of your block's views, slope or shape and maximize passive solar design. Don't want to be limited when it comes to choices of materials, fixtures and fittings and are looking for a high-quality finish, then an Architect & Custom Home Builder is the best choice for you.
