You walk into a display home, and it’s stunning. Gleaming stone benchtops, towering ceilings, oversized windows flooding each room with light. And the price? Surprisingly low. But here’s the thing — that’s not actually what you’re signing up for.
What you’re seeing is the “showroom model,” packed with high-end features that don’t come with the standard build.
This is more common than you’d think. In fact, most display homes are an illusion — especially the ones owned by project (AKA cookie-cutter) builders.
And in the end, to get all the features you fell in love with on the day, you’ll have to pay extra. A lot extra.
Take What Happened to Jae and Mitch, For Example
This young couple thought they’d found the perfect solution to their homeownership struggles when they visited a display home owned by a big-name builder.
It was everything they’d hoped for — elegant Calcutta stone countertops, high ceilings, pocket doors opening to a timber deck — all within their budget.
But as they moved forward, reality started to bite.
Turns out, the Calcutta stone countertops and many of the other features they loved were considered “upgrades,” not standard inclusions. And if they added them all to the build, they’d blow their budget by more than $80,000.
Determined to make it work (and not waste their $5,000 deposit), they started making compromises. But the hidden costs kept piling up.
Even basics like the driveway and floorboards, which they’d assumed were standard, weren’t covered in the initial price. With just those essentials added in, they’d still be blowing their budget by about 50 grand.
With or without the compromises, Jae and Mitch realised a project home was far from the “budget-friendly” solution they’d thought it was. So they decided to walk away, back at square one and 5k out of pocket.
So what’s the solution?
Work With a Custom Builder From Day One
A quality custom home builder gives you total transparency and control from day one, not smoke and mirrors. Let’s break down the 4 key benefits:
Benefit #1: Realistic previews. Quality custom home builders skip the showroom theatrics, inviting you to visit real projects under construction. Instead of polished displays designed to stun and dazzle, you’ll get to see the actual layouts, materials, and finishes you could have in your home.
Benefit #2: Upfront transparency. With a custom builder, there aren’t any “upgrade” traps hiding in the fine print. Essentials like driveways, floorboards, and quality finishes are part of the agreed-upon price from day one, so you know exactly what fits within your budget.
Benefit #3: Total flexibility. Custom homes are built to fit your lifestyle, not a preset mould. Whether you want larger windows for natural light, an extra car bay in the garage, or a dedicated office space, a quality builder tailors your home to truly match the way you live.
Benefit #4: Direct communication. With a custom builder, you’re working directly with the person overseeing your home. No middlemen or third parties adding confusion — just clear, direct updates that keep your vision on track.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Get Dazzled by Showroom Polish
It’s important to do a little extra research and find a quality custom home builder who gives it to you straight, making every dollar count towards the home you actually want (with no surprises down the track).
But there’s so much more to a successful build than avoiding the display home trap.