By George Giannakakis, Editor and Founder, BuildPilot. M.Arch, Licensed Real Estate Agent (RLA300580), HIA Industry Judge. Last reviewed: 7 September 2026.

Comparing quotes·Quote Comparison

View all builder comparisons

Build.On vs Format Homes

Name: BuildPilot Adelaide Building Industry Dataset
Creator: BuildPilot
License: https://buildpilot.com.au/terms

An independent, side-by-side look at two of our building partners to help you understand your options.

Build.On

Custom Builder

Custom Builder

Note: BuildPilot partners with both builders. This comparison provides factual information to help you understand your options. It's not a recommendation of one over the other. The right builder depends on your specific needs, budget and preferences.

Quick Comparison

Attribute

Build.On

Format Homes

Builder Type

Custom Builder

Price Range

$2,200 - $3,500/sqm

$2,200 - $3,200/sqm

Established

Adelaide based

Headquarters

Adelaide (SA)

Adelaide

Warranty

Standard structural warranty

Comprehensive warranty

Display Homes

By appointment

Angle Vale, Fulham, Oakden, Old Reynella

About Each Builder

Build.On

Bespoke Luxury Homes, Renovations & Knockdown Rebuilds

Adelaide-based licensed builder (BLD 338556) covering Adelaide, the Barossa and the Riverland. Specialists in bespoke luxury homes, major renovations, residential extensions and knockdown rebuild projects with fixed-price quoting.

Often suited for:

Custom designLuxury homesKnockdown rebuildRenovations & extensions

Design Approach:

Bespoke, end-to-end project management from demolition to completion

Build Process:

Fixed-price quoting consolidating demolition and construction

Visit Build.On website

Format Homes

SA's Best Medium Builder 5 Years Running

Adelaide's trusted custom home builder with over 100 designs. Format pays your rent for up to 36 weeks while they build your dream home.

Often suited for:

Custom buildsRent assistance programSteel frame constructionDesign variety

Design Approach:

Over 100 designs with Truecore Steel Frame construction

Build Process:

Up to 36 weeks rent paid while building

Visit Format Homes website

How Do I Choose?

There's no "better" builder. There's only the builder that's right for your situation. Consider these factors:

1
Your budget and priorities
Different builders suit different price points. Think about what matters most: price, inclusions, customisation or service.
2
Your land and location
Some builders specialise in certain areas or challenging sites. Consider who builds in your area and has experience with your block type.
3
Your design requirements
Do you want to heavily modify a plan, or are you happy with standard designs? Different builders offer different levels of flexibility.
4
Visit display homes
Nothing beats seeing their work in person. Visit display homes from both builders to compare quality and style firsthand.

Need Help Deciding?

BuildPilot can help you understand which builder might suit your specific situation. We work with both Build.On and Format Homes. Our job is to help you make the right choice for you - not push you toward whichever builder pays the most.

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