For many people, the idea of building their own home is a dream come true. It’s a chance to create something that’s uniquely theirs, designed specifically to suit their needs and taste.
But when it comes time to actually start the process of building, there are a lot of decisions to be made – one of the most important being whether to choose a custom home builder or a volume builder.
There are pros and cons to both, of course, but ultimately it’s up to the individual homeowner to decide which route is best for them. We’ve helped many clients through the process of building, and seen many fall into the trap of working with a builder who’s not the best fit for their project.
With that in mind, here are six reasons to choose a custom home builder over a volume builder:
1. ‘Hands On’ – Personalised Service
One of the biggest advantages of working with a custom home builder is that you get to be involved in the building process from start to finish. If you opt for a ‘volume’ builder, it’s very likely that you’ll only ever speak to a salesperson or project manager – you won’t have any direct contact with the people actually doing the work.
But when you choose a custom builder, you’re able to have a much more hands-on role. You can be as involved as you like, from helping to design your home to being on site during construction to make sure everything is going as planned. At ABC, we have an open line of communication with our clients, so they can track the progress of their build, receiving regular updates, site visits, and asking questions as needed.This level of personalisation and communication simply isn’t possible with a volume builder.
2. You’re Not Stuck With ‘Off The Shelf’ Designs
If you choose to work with a volume builder, you’re pretty much stuck with the pre-designed templates they have on offer. That means, no matter your block size, or location of your property, you must fit into their ‘cookie cutter’ approach.
And while they may have a few different floor plans to choose from, they’re not going to be able to make any major changes or adjustments to suit your specific needs.
On the other hand, when you work with a custom builder, they can create a design that’s completely tailored to you. They’ll take into account everything from the size and shape of your block of land to your budget to your personal taste in order to create a home that’s perfect for you.
3. Unique, One-Of-A-Kind Home
One of the main reasons people choose to build their own home is because they want something that’s completely unique – a home that reflects their personal style and taste.
Unfortunately, if you go with a volume builder, your home is likely to end up looking very similar to all the other houses in your street (or even your whole estate). That’s because volume builders mass produce the same designs over and over again, so there’s very little room for individuality.
But when you work with a custom builder, they’ll be able to create a home that’s entirely unique. No two custom built homes are ever exactly alike, so you can be sure that your home will be fitted with all the features and inclusions you want, achieving a one-of-a-kind home that suits your lifestyle.

4. Working With A Local Builder Is A Great Advantage.
When you choose a custom home builder, you’re usually working with a local builder who knows the area well. This can be a big advantage over working with a ‘volume’ builder, as the local builder will have a better understanding of the area’s climate, terrain, council regulations, and other factors that can affect the construction of your home.
This often speeds up the process, and allows you to avoid costly mistakes that could be made by a builder who isn’t familiar with the area.
5. Quality Driven Not Profit Driven
A custom home builder is usually more focused on quality than volume. With fewer projects on, a custom builder’s reputation relies on their homes being exceptional, which generates positive feedback, happy customers, and more work. This generally means custom builders are more likely to use higher-quality materials and construction methods, which results in a better-built home.
6. Customise With Freedom Without Being Stung With Hidden Costs
Your home is a reflection of you, so it only makes sense that you should have complete freedom when it comes to customising it. But if you opt for a volume builder, you’ll be limited to the inclusions and upgrades that they offer (which are often overpriced), or worse, you get stung with the bill after you’ve fallen in love with the look of your home.
When you choose a custom builder, on the other hand, you’ll be able to customise your home exactly the way you want, without being restricted by pre-determined inclusions.
When fitting their homes, our clients are given the freedom to choose between our range of suppliers, or suppliers of their choice. This allows them to find the products they love, at a price that works for their budget.
In Conclusion
These are just a few of the reasons why you might want to consider working with a custom home builder instead of a volume builder. If you’re looking for a home that’s completely unique, tailored to your needs, and built with high-quality materials, then working with a custom builder is the way to go.
At ABC, we specialise in helping our clients bring their dream home to life. Get in touch with us today to find out more about what we can do for you.