Why I left cookie cutter building behind

There’s something deeply personal about building a home.

It’s not just bricks and timber — it’s dreams, years of planning, and for many, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And yet, too often, the building industry treats it like just another job. Another lot. Another number.

I know this because I’ve been on the inside. Earlier in my career, I worked under a well-known project building model. These were builders who could take a custom plan, but often delivered it through a system that didn’t feel custom at all. Clients were handed over to rotating supervisors, rarely met their builder, and had little say in the process beyond ticking boxes from a catalogue. I saw firsthand how people were sold a “custom build,” but experienced something closer to cookie-cutter treatment — rushed timelines, templated service, and little personal connection.

At first, I believed that was just how the industry worked. But over time, it wore on me. I wanted more for my clients — and more for myself. I wanted to work closely with people. To understand their vision. To design and build something that genuinely reflected who they were and how they lived. And I couldn’t do that in a system that was designed to move fast, cut costs, and squeeze individuality into a mould. That’s why I walked away.

These days, I run Willbuild Homes differently.

You meet me — your builder — from day one.

Your project is never just a number.

Your design is shaped with care, not pulled from a template.

And your home is delivered by a builder who sees quality, integrity, and trust as non-negotiable.

I know this approach isn’t for everyone. It takes time. It costs more. But for those who value craftsmanship, connection, and care — it makes all the difference.

If you're dreaming of a home that reflects who you are — not who the spreadsheet says you should be — I’d love to hear from you. 📩 Thinking of building? Drop me a message directly — I’m always up for a chat.