A project builder will allow you to make very minor changes, but selection options will be limited, plan designs are fixed and any major changes will often incur substantial fees. A custom builder enables you to create, design, and amend a plan to fully suit your needs. This means the custom designer is flexible with inclusions and tailors your home to your ideas, vision and your budget.

What may surprise you is that the answer is no. If you are comparing apples-to-apples then the cost is generally the same. Often a project builder will present a home design with limited inclusions for example, no driveway or external concrete, and minimal insulation. Additionally, essential elements like floor coverings (tile, carpet etc) are often not included. Room sizes are smaller, and add-ons like your letterbox or TV antenna are simply not included. To get a true price, you have to add up all of these “extra” expenses to understand the full fee you’re paying.

When pricing for your new home is shared with you in this way, the home you’re looking at may seem initially less expensive, but when you get into the fine print, the plans are a lot more for a complete home.

We do things differently so you as the buyer are not stuck trying to understand the real cost of your home. At Vivid Home Builders we offer you a starting point of full “Turn Key” price. This means the house is completely priced at its move-in rate and includes all of the amenities required to make this house your home. You can, of course, upscale to adjust the materials and we will offer you full disclosure on price so you know what you’re paying for what you add or change.

Research and knowledge are key to a great home building experience. There are thousands of amazing designs out there. Get a feel for what you love in terms of “look and feel” and what you need based on your family size and how you use your home. Then, talk to a builder. They should help you understand what the actual building process is like. If you have a block of land, this is an important time to bring this up as different designs work well on different blocks. The last thing you want is to fall in love with a design and then realise it will not work on the block of land you have. A great builder will be happy to help advise you on the purchase of your block prior to committing, ensuring that your ideal home design works in your preferred location.