Following on from Part 1 of this post, Part 2 will give you a good breakdown of the differences between a volume builder and a luxury builder, the pros and cons of each and some helpful advice designed to help you choose which option is right for you.
Volume Builder
Volume Builders are large companies that build hundreds, sometimes thousands of homes every year. They usually seem to be cheaper to build with compared to custom or luxury builders, due, in part, to their bulk purchasing of building materials.
Volume Builders usually offer house and land packages with a fixed range of designs, and while they do allow for small alterations to the floor plan, changes tend to be somewhat limited and often incur exorbitant additional costs, too.
It’s important to have a very clear understanding of what is and isn’t included in the quote. Some companies may not provide a complete “turn-key” solution, meaning there could be items required for council compliance that are not included in the final product – leaving you to come up with the additional funds needed to complete the project.
This is especially true when you’re buying a house & land package after viewing the display model. Display homes showcase the very highest quality model of home with all the fancy upgrades and premium extras on display – all very good at getting you into a building contract – but to get the same home built for you, it carries a lot of very high, additional costs.
The greatest of care is taken in finishing a display model, but sadly, what you end up with is usually not anywhere near to the same level of quality.
Under the pressure of fast turnaround times and low-profit margin building contracts, careless and avoidable mistakes in the construction, materials and build quality occur frequently, and are often left unrectified in the hope it won’t be picked up.
Luxury Home Builder
If you are seeking a builder who’ll help you design and build a home specific and unique to you, a custom or luxury home builder is likely the one for you.
Luxury builders like Merit Homes take on only a fraction of the jobs as volume builders within the same timeframe, so they’re able to commit the time to design a home to suit the block site, the environment, and the lifestyle needs of those living there.
With the extra time and attention to detail put into designing a home with a luxury builder, it usually comes at a higher cost when compared to the mass-produced homes of high-volume builders.
Building your new home is a huge investment, both emotionally and financially, so it only makes sense to invest in high-quality build materials and superior craftsmanship.
A luxury home builder will give you the most flexibility when it comes to making decisions about the design of your home, taking into account the size, shape, and elevation of your block.
Merit Homes work with you, your architect, and interior designer together to create a design that works for the land site – capitalising on views, solar orientation, and your personal tastes – all while providing guidance backed by our decades of experience.
On closing…
It’s important to note that once upon a time, most high-volume building companies we see today started out as small, quality home builders that grew too big, branched out as a franchise brand, and in doing so, lost hold of their small company values.
While rapid growth may prove lucrative for some, Merit Homes has consciously steered in the opposite direction, preferring to maintain a hands-on approach to every home and a personal approach to every client relationship.