The “turn-key” solution sold by volume builders appeals to an increasing number of Australian home buyers, but every coin has two sides.
Like any real estate purchase, there are pros and cons to using a volume builder.
Metricon, one of Australia’s largest volume builders, and award-winning building firm PMH Building Company from New South Wales, weigh in.
Like any real estate purchase, there are pros and cons to using a volume builder. Picture: realestate.com.au/home-designs
The pros
Metricon’s Victorian sales manager Drew Glascott says there are many benefits to using a volume builder. They include:
- The benefits of scale
- Set designs and display homes
- Quality Assurance and build management
- Structural guarantees
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Glascott says a volume builder can save time and money on a new home, thanks to their size and economies of scale.
Next is ready-to-go house designs. Glascott says potential buyers can visit a volume builders’ display home and see for themselves the designs and interior styles available.
Buyers also get peace of mind when it comes to quality with the likes of Metricon, he adds.
“We pride ourselves on a stringent quality assurance process that is in place to ensure there is consistency. This rigorous process also guarantees that each of our finished homes are completed to the highest building standard,” Glascott says.
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Big builders are also able to guide customers through the building process, from start to finish, ensuring they’re kept updated.
Most volume builders also offer services after the keys are handed over too, he adds. Metricon does a “new home service inspection” three months after settlement, for example.
Metricon also offers a 25-year structural guarantee, Glascott says. “This is how we show our complete confidence in each and every one of our completed homes.”
“This is how we show our complete confidence in each and every one of our completed homes.”
Being able to tailor a design to the home site is also important. Picture: Getty
The cons
PMH Building Company spokesperson Jess Handebo says while the decision comes down to the individual buyer, their budget and timeframe, there are some cons to using a volume builder.
Design, layout and site considerations are at the top of the list, she says.
“Project home builders have set plans and designs and they generally only allow a small margin for change, which is fine if you don’t want to design your own home and are happy to select your home from a brochure,” Handebo says.
“Custom builders work closely with the homeowner and architect, making sure they get to know their client and build a strong relationship with them. This helps ensure the client gets their dream home,” she says.
Being able to tailor a design to the home site is also important, Handebo says.
“Every site is unique, so working with an architect and builder ensures basic design principles have come into play, such as site orientation. Making sure sunlight is entering the house in the right places is crucial and can make a big difference to your living environment and expenses.”
Tips on working with an architect:
“Site slope is often overlooked, but a custom home builder will rise to the challenge and engage an engineer to help create a suitable design to work within the land restraints,” she says.
A custom builder will most likely be more “available” to the buyer, Handebo says.
“Most custom builders tend to meet their clients onsite throughout the project. This keeps the client involved and makes them feel like a part of the process. It also allows them to see the progress at different stages during construction.
“You rarely hear of project builders allowing their clients onsite during the build.”
Pros and cons of building a home in a new estate or established suburb:
Custom builders can’t generally compete on price though, Handebo admits.
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“Custom homes will cost more than a project home, however, it is a unique product that has been designed to suit the individual needs and design aspirations of the client.
“With a custom built home, you are paying for your dream home with high-quality finishes and a design layout that flows.”
