Custom Home vs Project Home — Cost Comparison
A project home from a volume builder costs less per square metre — but you get a standard design on your block. A custom home costs more but is designed specifically for you. Buildana (Lic. 487805C) builds custom homes. Here is the honest cost comparison.
Per-sqm Rate Comparison
Project home (120–190 sqm, brick veneer, medium): • Rawlinson 2026: $1,710–$1,875/sqm • Total for 180 sqm: $307,800–$337,500 • Plus site costs, upgrades, and variations: typically $50,000–$150,000 • Realistic all-in: $360,000–$490,000
Custom home (200–300 sqm, brick veneer, medium): • Rawlinson 2026: $2,455–$2,650/sqm • Total for 250 sqm: $613,750–$662,500 • Plus external works and fees: $60,000–$150,000 • Realistic all-in: $673,750–$812,500
What You Get for the Extra Cost
Custom home advantages over project homes: • Floor plan designed for YOUR block (orientation, setbacks, slope, views) • Room sizes and layout to YOUR family's needs • Materials and finishes selected by you — not from a limited upgrade menu • Better insulation, better windows, better energy performance (lower bills) • No 'variations' for site costs — these are included from the start • One builder, one contract, one point of accountability • Higher resale value — custom homes command 10–20% premium over project homes in the same area
When Project Homes Make Sense
Project homes suit: first home buyers on strict budgets, flat greenfield sites where site costs are minimal, buyers who are happy with a standard floor plan.
Custom homes suit: established blocks with specific constraints (slope, setbacks, orientation), families with particular needs (multigenerational, home office, accessibility), homeowners who want quality construction and long-term value.
For the complete custom home guide, see our comprehensive guide to building a custom home in Sydney. Contact Buildana.
