New Home Construction - Custom Builder

SGHome · Aug 24, 2020 9:39 pm

Hi All

I’m planning to construct a new home in FraserRise, VIC in few months. My budget would be around ~320k to 340k. Can someone please suggest a good trust worthy builder.? This is my first home, so want more cautious in choosing the right builder.

gogo65 · Aug 24, 2020 11:23 pm

I think for that budget you need to look at project homes, many will customise a plan for you. Sorry no idea of who as I’m in nsw, but just that 320-340 is a small budget for a custom home.

timthetoolman44 · Aug 27, 2020 10:53 am

Don't believe what gogo told you about project home builders. They may advertise "cheap" but they get their margins back in the site costs and all of the other stuff they left out.
What size home are you looking to build for that price? Just because it's custom, doesn't mean it needs to be overpriced!

KameGame · Aug 27, 2020 11:28 am

For this price, considering your site does not have many issues you may be able to build a 25-27sq home with a small project builder (some of them call themselves Custom Builders, since they customise the plans as per your needs). You won't be getting very high end fittings and fixtures (like double glazing, 5star appliances, taps, basins) but still pretty good ones. Most of these builders will provide you with maximum inclusions as compared to the big players in the market. For a similar sized house with a volume builder you can add another 60-80K.

gogo65 · Aug 27, 2020 10:46 pm

timthetoolman44

Don't believe what gogo told you about project home builders. They may advertise "cheap" but they get their margins back in the site costs and all of the other stuff they left out.
What size home are you looking to build for that price? Just because it's custom, doesn't mean it needs to be overpriced!

Project builders will still be cheaper than a full custom build, yes they get you with all the mark ups, but my point was that for 320k, you wont get a full custom home, although you should be able to achieve it with a project builder, you just need to be careful with upgrades etc.
I'm currently building my fourth home, 2nd custom, fully aware of the way that project builders gouge customers, but at the end of the day a project home will always be cheaper than a full architect designed home.

timthetoolman44 · Aug 28, 2020 10:45 am

gogo65

timthetoolman44

Don't believe what gogo told you about project home builders. They may advertise "cheap" but they get their margins back in the site costs and all of the other stuff they left out.
What size home are you looking to build for that price? Just because it's custom, doesn't mean it needs to be overpriced!

Project builders will still be cheaper than a full custom build, yes they get you with all the mark ups, but my point was that for 320k, you wont get a full custom home, although you should be able to achieve it with a project builder, you just need to be careful with upgrades etc.
I'm currently building my fourth home, 2nd custom, fully aware of the way that project builders gouge customers, but at the end of the day a project home will always be cheaper than a full architect designed home.

In my experience there are very big differing levels of types of custom builders and if you're lucky you can find the full custom ones who price up at a project builder price. I know for a fact my SEQ (south east qld) builders are very competitive and go around on low margins but some inner city Melbourne builders are extremely high because they can. Horses for courses