Major builders HIA has recognised, and what it means for you
When you’re comparing builders, awards can sometimes feel abstract, another badge on a brochure rather than a practical measure of what it’s like to build with them. But industry recognition, particularly from the Housing Industry Association (HIA), plays a more concrete role than most buyers...
iBuildNew Editorial TeamDecember 2, 20255 min read
When you’re comparing builders, awards can sometimes feel abstract, another badge on a brochure rather than a practical measure of what it’s like to build with them. But industry recognition, particularly from the Housing Industry Association (HIA), plays a more concrete role than most buyers realise.
The HIA Australian Professional Major Builder award assesses criteria buyers directly feel: construction quality, customer service systems, business stability, safety practices, and the consistency of homes delivered at scale. It isn’t a design award or marketing accolade, it’s an evaluation of how well a builder performs when it matters: across hundreds or thousands of homes each year.
For buyers, that recognition can help answer a bigger underlying question: “Can this builder reliably deliver what they promise?”
This list highlights Australian builders who have been awarded or recognised as HIA Professional Major Builders, along with what they offer, where they build, and what their long-term track record looks like.
Ellenbrook 26 in Astra facade showcased at Homeworld Leppington
Eden Brae is known for its focus on “beautifully liveable contemporary homes” pitched at attainable price points, supported by its Buildsure™ systems designed to standardise quality across large volumes. The brand’s repeated HIA recognition across Professional Major Builder and Work Health & Safety categories reflects that emphasis on process and consistency rather than one-off display home performance.
Where they build: Sydney North, South, West & Outer West; South West Sydney; Baulkham Hills/Hawkesbury; Central Coast, Hunter & Newcastle; Illawarra; Southern Highlands.
Why buyers look at them:
A long-term NSW specialist with a reputation for delivering large volumes without walking away from its original “boutique service” positioning, something HIA judges consistently cite in their professional awards.
Indi display at 22 Selacosa Avenue, Alkimos
While their market is distinctively different from major family-upgrade builders, Easystart’s consistent five-year streak as HIA Most Professional Major Builder speaks to a strong system for customer handling, contract clarity, and predictable construction timelines, key pressure points for first-home buyers navigating finance and grants.
A six-month maintenance period and 25-year structural guarantee round out the offering.
Where they build: Perth North East, North West, South East, South West.
Why buyers look at them:
For finance-led, first-home pathways, they provide one of the most integrated approaches in WA, supported by HIA’s highest professional award several years running.
Marion 42 (Nordic facade) display at Armstrong Creek display centre
For buyers, Metricon’s value often sits in repeatability: spacious family homes, flexible floorplans, and a delivery model refined across decades. The company pairs a 12-month maintenance period with a 25-year structural guarantee, and its volume capacity is supported by long-standing operational systems, one of the reasons behind its 2021 HIA Major Professional Builder of the Year win.
Where they build: Broad coverage across NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, and parts of regional NSW.
Why buyers look at them:
Scale, choice, and predictability. The brand’s continuous design iteration and national footprint attract buyers wanting established processes backed by decades of industry data.
Eden Brae Homes
(NSW)HIA Australian Professional Major Builder, Winner 2022, Winner NSW & Hunter 2023, 2025 Established in 2000, Eden Brae Homes grew from a boutique NSW operation into one of the state’s largest volume builders, completing more than 1,000 homes annually. With 42 home designs, fixed build-time commitments and a three-month maintenance period supported by a six-year guarantee, the company has long positioned reliability and service as its differentiators. Ellenbrook 26 in Astra facade showcased at Homeworld Leppington
Eden Brae is known for its focus on “beautifully liveable contemporary homes” pitched at attainable price points, supported by its Buildsure™ systems designed to standardise quality across large volumes. The brand’s repeated HIA recognition across Professional Major Builder and Work Health & Safety categories reflects that emphasis on process and consistency rather than one-off display home performance.
Where they build: Sydney North, South, West & Outer West; South West Sydney; Baulkham Hills/Hawkesbury; Central Coast, Hunter & Newcastle; Illawarra; Southern Highlands.
Why buyers look at them:
A long-term NSW specialist with a reputation for delivering large volumes without walking away from its original “boutique service” positioning, something HIA judges consistently cite in their professional awards.
Easystart Homes
(WA)HIA Australian Professional Major Builder, Winner 2020–2024 Part of the Summit Homes Group, Easystart Homes is geared toward first-home buyers, blending in-house finance, entry-level budgets and a streamlined land–build pathway. With more than 40,000 homes delivered in 40 years, the brand completes 500–1,000 builds per year and offers 53 home designs starting from $259,500. Indi display at 22 Selacosa Avenue, Alkimos
While their market is distinctively different from major family-upgrade builders, Easystart’s consistent five-year streak as HIA Most Professional Major Builder speaks to a strong system for customer handling, contract clarity, and predictable construction timelines, key pressure points for first-home buyers navigating finance and grants.
A six-month maintenance period and 25-year structural guarantee round out the offering.
Where they build: Perth North East, North West, South East, South West.
Why buyers look at them:
For finance-led, first-home pathways, they provide one of the most integrated approaches in WA, supported by HIA’s highest professional award several years running.
Metricon
(National/NSW/VIC/QLD/SA)HIA Australian Professional Major Builder, Winner 2021Metricon is Australia’s largest home builder, completing more than 1,000 homes per year with over 60 home designs, and operating across multiple states. Founded in 1976, the builder is known for its scale, design breadth, and Six Stage Quality Assurance process used across its national footprint. Marion 42 (Nordic facade) display at Armstrong Creek display centre
For buyers, Metricon’s value often sits in repeatability: spacious family homes, flexible floorplans, and a delivery model refined across decades. The company pairs a 12-month maintenance period with a 25-year structural guarantee, and its volume capacity is supported by long-standing operational systems, one of the reasons behind its 2021 HIA Major Professional Builder of the Year win.
Where they build: Broad coverage across NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, and parts of regional NSW.
Why buyers look at them:
Scale, choice, and predictability. The brand’s continuous design iteration and national footprint attract buyers wanting established processes backed by decades of industry data.
Why HIA Professional Major Builder Awards matter to you
For most households, the builder they choose will shape their single largest financial decision. Industry awards don’t replace due diligence, but they do provide an external reference point, especially when they recognise operational excellence rather than style or marketing. Across Eden Brae Homes, Easystart Homes and Metricon, the common thread isn’t size, it’s systems. Systems for quality control, communication, warranty handling, maintenance, and safe, compliant construction. For buyers comparing builders in a crowded market, this layer of assurance helps answer the practical questions beneath the surface:- Will the builder finish on time?
- Do they have the internal structure to manage large volumes?
- How responsive are they after handover?
- What does “quality” look like when scaled across hundreds of homes?
iBuildNew Editorial Team
As the specialist voice of Australia’s largest new home building resource, the iBuildNew Editorial Team delivers deep-dive coverage into the house and land sector. From analysing new estate launches to highlighting the country’s leading home designs, we track the building journey to provide clarity for every buyer.
