What’s the Difference Between a Custom Build and a Pre-Designed Plan?
When you decide to build a new home, one of the first big choices you’ll face is whether to go with a custom home design or a pre-designed floor plan. Each option offers its own advantages, and the best fit depends on your budget, lifestyle, land, and how much design flexibility you’re after.
What Is a Pre-Designed Plan?
A pre-designed home (also known as a project home or standard plan) is a home design that’s been professionally developed and drafted by the builder. It includes a fixed floor plan, elevation, and inclusions, with the option to choose certain finishes and upgrades.
Key Features of Pre-Designed Plans:
- Faster process – because the design is already approved and priced
- Cost-effective – thanks to volume building efficiencies
- Display homes – you can walk through finished versions before deciding
- Streamlined approvals – planning and engineering documents are ready to go
- Limited flexibility – though you can often tweak layouts or upgrade finishes
What Is a Custom Build?
A custom build is designed from scratch, usually in collaboration with a draftsperson or architect. It gives you full control over every element, including layout, size, style, façade, features, and finishes.
Key Features of Custom Builds:
- Tailored to your lifestyle – design your dream layout from the ground up
- Great for tricky or sloping blocks – where standard plans won’t suit
- More input required – you’ll be closely involved in design decisions
- Longer timelines – design, planning, and approvals can take more time
- Higher cost – due to bespoke design and one-off construction requirements
Custom homes are ideal if you have specific design goals, a unique vision, or a challenging site that requires a tailored solution.
Key Differences at a Glance
Pre-designed plans offer a faster and more cost-effective way to build, with ready-to-go layouts that have already been priced and engineered. They’re ideal for those on a tighter budget or timeline and are especially popular with first-home buyers. While they offer limited flexibility, many designs allow for some layout tweaks and finish upgrades.
Custom builds, on the other hand, provide complete design freedom and are perfect for homeowners with unique needs or a very specific vision. They typically involve longer timelines and higher costs due to the bespoke design process and individual approvals required. Custom builds are particularly useful for unusual block shapes or when you want a home that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Choosing between a custom build and a pre-designed plan comes down to your budget, timeline, land and how specific your vision is.
You may prefer a pre-designed plan if:
- You’re building your first home
- You want to stick to a fixed budget
- You’d like to move in sooner
- You find too many design decisions overwhelming
A custom build may be a better fit if:
- You have unique requirements or a sloped or narrow block
- You want a standout design that reflects your personality
- You’ve got specific layout or lifestyle needs that standard plans don’t cover
- You’re happy to be involved in the design process and can wait longer
What Aveling Homes Offers
At Aveling Homes, we give you the best of both worlds. You can start with one of our expertly crafted pre-designed floor plans, and then customise elements to suit your preferences, such as:
- Moving walls or rearranging rooms
- Upgrading materials and finishes
- Adding alfresco areas, sculleries or extra storage
- Selecting colours, tapware, tiles, and lighting
Or, if you have something completely different in mind, we can work with you on a fully custom design tailored to your land and lifestyle.
Whether you go with a pre-designed plan or a custom home, building is all about creating a space that feels right for you. With Aveling Homes, you can be confident that we’ll help bring your vision to life, whether it’s a streamlined plan with smart customisations or a completely bespoke design from the ground up.
Ready to explore your options? Get in touch with our team to discuss which path suits your goals, and start designing your dream home today.