Blogs

Stories from the studio

Project updates, design notes, and the thinking that shapes a Macan home.

Featured · 2 June 2026

Red flags in a residential building contract

The contract clauses that look harmless on the page and cost real money on the site. What to look for before you sign — and what to push back on.

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2 June 2026

What questions to ask a custom home builder before signing

The questions that separate genuine boutique builders from the ones with slick brochures. A field-tested list — bring it to every quote meeting.

2 June 2026

Builder warranties in NSW: the 7-year structural standard explained

What NSW law actually requires, what builders offer above that, and how to tell whether the warranty in your contract is meaningful or marketing.

1 June 2026

Knockdown rebuild vs renovation: when each makes sense in NSW

Love the location, outgrown the house. Renovate or rebuild? Here's the maths, the timeline, and how to decide — with North-West Sydney specifics.

1 June 2026

Custom home builder vs project home builder: which is right for you?

Two completely different ways to build a new home in Sydney. Here's how a custom builder and a project home builder actually compare — design, price, process and outcome.

1 June 2026

Boutique builder vs volume builder: what's actually different?

Marketing aside, what does 'boutique' actually mean — and where does it matter for a homeowner? An honest comparison from a boutique builder.

26 May 2026

Fixed-price vs cost-plus contracts: what NSW homeowners need to know

Two ways to price a custom build, two very different risk profiles. Here's how the contracts compare — and where the fine print usually bites.

24 May 2026

What does a custom home cost in North-West Sydney in 2026?

Real numbers, not brochure ranges. Where the dollars actually go on a North-West Sydney custom build — and the factors that move the figure most.

22 May 2026

Welcome to the Macan Group journal

Behind-the-scenes stories from our recent builds, plus the thinking that shapes every Macan home.

21 May 2026

How long does a custom home really take to build in Sydney?

From the first conversation to handing over the keys. A realistic timeline for a North-West Sydney custom build, including the parts most builders quietly skip past.

19 May 2026

Building in Box Hill or Gables: a buyer's guide to Sydney's growth corridor

The North West Growth Area is Sydney's last greenfield frontier. Here's what you need to know if you're building in Box Hill, Gables, Marsden Park, or anywhere along the corridor.

18 May 2026

Why we cap how many homes we build each year

Boutique isn't a marketing line — it's an operating constraint. Here's the maths behind why we deliberately keep our intake small.

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