Order a custom saddle usually requires much more work than just buying a regular saddle. These saddles are made for YOU!
The saddletree is made to your and your horses measurments. Therefore you should price and check with the saddlemaker for the styles available that you may make a decesion that will please you and your horse for many years to come.
Also with ordering custom saddles you will face a waiting period of at least 1 year. Most quality saddlemakers are booked up at least that far ahead. This allows for you to choose the tree, carving pattern and style and correspond with your saddlemaker reguarding your size and the type of horse that you ride.
There are also some Hand made saddles available that have been made from the same fine quality materials as a custom saddle. These are usually saddles that have been made to take to a saddle show or exibit and were not sold there. There is a small savings to be made there and no waiting period.