Volume builders offer set designs at mass scale — think speed, repetition, and cost-cutting. Custom builders create homes tailored to you.
How do we match volume builder prices?
Simple — Through our industry partnerships, we access the same bulk rates on materials that the big guys get — without needing to build thousands of homes a year. That means you’re not paying extra just because your home doesn’t fit a standard template.
We also keep our overheads lean — no flashy display villages, no bloated sales teams — so more of your budget goes into your build, not our marketing.
The result? A fully custom design, built around you, for the kind of price you’d expect from a volume builder. Just without the compromises.
Everyone’s starting point is different — and that’s exactly why we offer both customisable homes and custom homes.
Starting with a vision and want to design your home from scratch. No fixed starting point. No rigid template. That’s a custom home — a blank canvas where we work with you to create something completely unique, shaped around how you live and what matters most to you.
You’ve seen a floorplan you like in our range — but you’d like to tweak it. That’s a customisable home. You’re not starting from zero, but you still get the flexibility to make changes that suit your needs, your block, or your style.
We can help you choose what's right for you. Click the button below, book in a time that suits you and we'll work it out together.
You’ve probably looked at more builder websites than you care to admit. Many will say they do custom but when you ask for changes, suddenly the price explodes or you're told, “that’s not how we do things.”
You have to wonder… why are they not doing custom anymore? Or, does it seem they are trying to fit you into their plans, rather than designing around you?
Here’s the truth: most builders just let you move a few walls and pick your tapware. That’s not custom. That’s constrained.
We’re not here to sell you someone else’s idea of a home. We're here to draw yours — from scratch if needed — and build it with the kind of flexibility, transparency, and attention you don’t get from the big names. No recycled plans. No limitations. Just smart, collaborative design with zero fluff from a builder who knows what this means to you.
After sixteen years in display homes, I’ve sat across from hundreds of people, each with their own version of a home they’re trying to bring to life. And over time, I’ve learned how to really listen — not just to what they say, but to what they’re trying to create beneath the surface. I’ve developed a sharp eye for design, but more importantly, I’ve learned how to tune into the ‘why’ behind every decision. My job isn’t to push plans — it’s to get inside your head (in the best way possible), understand what matters most to you, and work relentlessly to shape a space that reflects you. Every line, every tweak, every late-night rethink is part of making sure your home isn’t just functional — it feels right. Because at the end of the day, that’s what building custom should be about.
It isn’t just about drawing plans — it’s about digging in. I don’t stop at “that’ll do” or push you into whatever’s easiest to build. I take the time to really understand what you're trying to create, even if it takes a few messy sketches and late-night rethinkings to get there. I look at every part of your plan like a puzzle that deserves to be solved properly — reworking, rethinking, and refining until the space makes sense for you. It’s not quick, and it’s not always easy — but that’s the point. Because building a custom home isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about persistence, precision, and squeezing every bit of potential out of your design. For me, it’s always more about your lifestyle than square metres — and I’ll put in the work to prove it.
Twenty years of residential construction experience for small and big players, and the responsibility from sales to management, one thing has stood out above all else – no two clients or homes are the same. However, what is the same, is the major emotional decision. Personally and professionally, a customer first approach has been paramount and the mantra for a great customer experience. Stress and uncertainty come from not having enough information or feeling overwhelmed by choice. I hold myself accountable for those feelings and replace it with clarity, confidence and a genuine sense of support. Whatever you’re building, I’m here to make sure you feel informed, understood, and in control from start to finish.
As cliché as it sounds, listening and understanding your needs, providing valuable feedback and challenging some suggestions and ideas to get the very best outcome possible of your vision. I’m big on open communication — I want you to feel confident making decisions and fully understand what’s involved at every stage. For me, great service means being responsive, transparent, and genuinely invested in your outcome. It’s not just about building a house — it’s about the support you can lean on to create something truly meaningful.
Change a Wall? That’ll Be $4,000 and a Headache
Volume builders treat changes like a problem. We treat them like it’s the whole point. Want to move a wall, flip a kitchen, or shrink a room? Let’s do it — without the drama.
Their Inclusions List Has More Asterisks Than Answers
We don’t play the “that’s extra” game. You get the full picture upfront — real pricing, real features, no surprises halfway through the build.
One Sales Rep. Ten Handovers. Zero Accountability.
With us, you deal with the same people from your first idea to the final walk-through. No passing the baton. No disappearing acts.
They Make You Pick from Plans. We Start with a Blank Page.
Volume builders push you to fit into their design. We design around you — how you live, what you want, and what actually makes sense for your block.
Modesti Residence — Kilmore, VIC
Location: Kilmore
- Site Fall: 4.6 metres
- Retaining Walls: Left & Right Boundaries
- Solution: Custom Split-Level Design
- Ceilings: Cathedral
- Style: Modern Hamptons
- Status: Final Home for Retired Owners
- Difficulty Level: HIGH
- Number of Builders Who Said "Too Hard":
Too many to count
Most builders took one look and walked away.
"Too much fall."
"Too complex."
"Can’t be done without blowing the budget."
For the Modesti family, this wasn’t just another house. This was the house — their forever home, their retirement dream. And while the block came with challenges, we saw solutions. With over 4.6 metres of slope, the site demanded split-level ingenuity, precision retaining, and a fully custom approach — not a single pre-designed plan in sight. Everything started from scratch: a blank canvas, painted with their vision. The result? A beautifully crafted modern Hamptons-style home, sitting perfectly on land it was never supposed to suit. The high cathedral ceilings open up the space with grandeur, and every room was designed specifically for how the Modestis want to live — comfortably, stylishly, and exactly their way.
This build was a collaboration, a challenge, and a privilege.
Knockdown and rebuild could be your smartest move — and no, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. If you love your street, your neighbours, your kids’ school, and the local café, why give it all up just to get a better home?
Because for many homeowners, the numbers just makes sense: no stamp duty, no selling costs, and no change to schools, commutes, or community.
without compromising on location.
Did you know Melbourne has the highest number of house demolitions in Australia?
Between 2019 and 2024, over 34,000 homes were approved for demolition across the city — more than any other capital. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a trend.
According to the Housing Industry Association, 1 in 4 new homes built nationally is now a knockdown-rebuild — and Melbourne’s tightly held inner and middle-ring suburbs are leading the charge.
At Melwide Homes, we understand the knockdown-rebuild process inside and out. While we don’t handle demolition, we: provide fixed pricing and build timeframes upfront — before you sign a thing
If there’s a cost risk like trees, traffic, or tight access ,we’ll tell you upfront, not in month three.
We design for your block not the other way around.
We guide you through it. While we don’t demolish, we’ll coordinate the timing, and what to avoid.
Council permits, asset protection, site prep, traffic management — we’ve got that covered.
No vague allowances. Just real numbers, before you sign.
Not with us. That’s the point of “Custom Homes. Volume Prices.” You’ll get the
freedom of a custom design without blowing the budget. No hidden costs, no
sales fluff.
Of course! Bring us your Pinterest board, your napkin sketch, or that old
floorplan you've had for years — we’ll turn it into a real, buildable home.
Things happen — we get it. We’ll always try to accommodate changes where possible, and we’ll be upfront about any cost differences. No surprises.
It means you get a home designed just for you—without the hefty price tag usually
associated with custom builds. We leverage industry partnerships and keep our overheads lean to offer bespoke homes at prices comparable to volume builders.
By accessing the same bulk rates on materials as large-scale builders and avoiding expenses like flashy display villages, we ensure more of your budget goes into your home, not our marketing.
Absolutely! If you like one of our existing floorplans but want to make changes, that's a customisable home. If you have a vision and want to design your home from scratch, that's a custom home. We offer both options to suit your needs.
Many builders offer limited customisation—like moving a few walls or choosing
fixtures. We believe true custom means starting with your vision and creating a
home around it, without constraints.
Nope! With our approach, you deal directly with the owners, ensuring clear communication and a smoother experience.
Nope! Whether you’ve already secured land or you're just starting your journey, we
can help. We’ll even help you find the right block to suit your budget and design goals.
Sure do. If you love your location but not your current home, we can help with the
full knockdown-rebuild process — council approvals, demolition, and a brand-new
custom home.
Yes! Fast build times, fixed pricing, and turnkey inclusions make us a great option
for investors wanting returns without delays or surprises. Check out our 'SmartChoice' page.
Yes! You have access to a fully equipped selections showroom where you’ll get hands-on with tapware, flooring, benchtops, bricks — and a selections specialist to help guide you.
We’re proudly local and privately owned. That means no call centers, no red tape —
just direct contact with the people who actually build your home.
Yes, we can. Irregular blocks just need clever design — and that’s exactly what we do. We’ll tailor your home to make the most of the space without compromise.
Many builders avoid sloping blocks — we don’t. Whether it needs a split-level design or retaining, we’ll assess it properly and provide a realistic, fixed-cost solution.
Yep. We’re experienced in high-traffic areas, including builds next to schools, bus stops, or limited parking zones. We manage the traffic plans and council permits so you don’t have to.
We’ve handled builds right next to bus stops before. With the right planning and traffic management, it’s totally doable — and we’re up for the job.
Yes — especially then. Complex sites are our specialty. Book a call and we’ll give you a straight answer (and probably a solution).
