As the concept of custom houses becomes more and more popular, home builders in Sydney have a tough mission to complete, that of building you the dream house you always wished for. Custom home builders have taken it upon themselves to make this dream of yours a reality, but how do you know that’s what you want? You might look at the costs, the timeframe, the possibilities and not know for sure if you should go for a custom or pre-built home. If you struggle with this, then this article is for you.
Understanding Custom Home Builders and Pre-Built Homes
The starting point is understanding what a customized and a pre-built home is. Custom home builders create and build your home from the scratch. They take into account your preferences and come up with a personalized design for your place. Pre-built homes are already-existing structures. The changes you can add to them are minimal and in most cases, you have to take them as they are.
House construction companies that specialize in custom houses can guide you through the process of creating your dream house. If you own a farm, for example, and wish to have an open-concept kitchen as well as a walk-in pantry, custom home builders can design and create your home layout in such a way that it will meet all of your requirements.
If you were to move in with your spouse or family into an already existing construction in the suburbs or in a complex building, then you don’t get to design your own layout, you would have to choose from pre-existing ones. Moreover, the changes you can later on add to your floor plans are very limited.
Key Differences
You might have already identified the main difference between custom and pre-built homes, but there is more than what meets the eye and these are the aspects you should take into account when considering the idea of a custom house.
In this following section we are going to compare a set of 6 features from both points of view, so that you can make an informed decision.
Custom Homes:
- Design flexibility: these homes are entirely customizable. The layout, design and architecture of the place are entirely up to you. Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to come up with the actual plans, that’s what you have home builders in Sydney for. They will take your wishes into account and turn them into reality.
- Cost: you might be inclined to think the costs would be higher, but that’s not always the case, as these constructions usually allow for more of a flexible budget, compared to already-built ones where the prices are fixed and there’s no wiggle room.
- Timeline: as these homes are built from scratch for you personally, the timeline can be longer, but it typically doesn’t exceed 12 months. If you’re planning to stay in the house forever and even pass it on for generations to come, then a wait of 1 year is nothing compared to the joy you’ll have sitting in the very same place you designed.
- Materials: a very important aspect that is often neglected is that of materials. With these types of constructions, the materials are of higher quality, as they are chosen by the owner.
- Location: of course location is very important. Building companies will build your house wherever you please. All that’s needed is available land.
- Energy efficiency: with this option you can choose to integrate green and sustainable alternatives.
Pre-Built Homes:
- Design Flexibility: this is very limited in the case of pre-built homes, as it is up to the developer
- Cost: as mentioned earlier, the up-front cost might be lower, but it is fixed and it might not cover everything you desire from your place of living. If plan on living in the same place for the rest of your life, if it is somewhere near your family or if you don’t want to bother changing places every few years, then this option might not be the best for you, as the features might be lacking certain long-term aspects and wishes of yours.
- Timeline: this one is usually faster, as it implies the move into an already-existing space. Depending on the stage of development, you might be able to move in right away, or you might have to wait a few months for the building to be ready to receive its occupants.
- Materials: as opposed to its counterpart, the materials used in these types of homes are usually of lower quality, as the owners do not have a say in the developer’s choice and standardized materials are of lower quality.
- Location: pre-built homes are restricted to pre-built communities. That means you won’t be able to get your place in a secluded area in Sydney, on a ranch or near the beach, but you will get to enjoy the local community
- Energy efficiency: while some options out there might meet basic energy standards, they are nowhere near the possibilities a home designed from scratch can offer you in this regard.
How Home Builders Can Help You Make the Right Choice
Home builders, especially those located in Sydney, can easily assist you in your process. They can provide you with years of expertise and market insights that can help you make a choice. Based on consultations, they can recommend you a certain choice, determined by your lifestyle, income and wishes. They can also offer you, sometimes free of charge, an estimate, so that you know what you’re expecting in terms of costs.
If you choose to go forward with this option, custom home builders will also assist you in all of your designing and management choices and processes. They will be there for you every step of the way, making sure that, at the end of the 12 months, you’re left with the house – the home, of your dreams.
