What is the difference between a custom builder and a project builder?
A project builder sells you a design they have already drawn and built many times, and you choose from a set list of variations. A custom builder starts with your block and your brief, and draws the house around both. The trade off used to be cost, and it is narrower than most people think. On an awkward block a custom design often comes out ahead, because nothing is being forced to fit.
Do you need an architect as well?
No. We are a design and build company, so one team takes you from concept to handover. Engaging an architect and a builder separately typically runs around $60,000 in project fees on a $1.2 million contract. Our fee for working drawings and an estimate is capped at $10,000. That is roughly $50,000 that stays in the build instead of going to fees.
It also removes the gap. When the person who drew it is not the person who has to build it, the slope, the site costs and the details are where they disagree, and you pay for that disagreement in variations.
What you actually get to decide
The floor plan, so the house suits how your family lives now and in ten years. Where the house sits on the block, and what it faces. Your inclusions and finishes, chosen rather than picked off a list. And the things you only get when someone designs for your site, like which room catches the morning sun and where the breeze comes through in February.
Where we build in north Brisbane
We are based at North Lakes and build across north Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region, including [CONFIRM: North Lakes, Narangba, Newport, Samford Valley, Banksia Beach and whichever others Jay will take on].
Written by Jay Mostyn, founder and director of Luxury Lifestyle Homes. Jay is a qualified carpenter QBCC licence number 15156763 with 20+ years building custom homes across Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region.