I have always started every track from the ground up aswell, and all mine sound totally diffrent. The reason i tell my self that I do this is because you improve with pratice, the more times I set up a compressor , EQ, synth patch or other process the better at it i fell I am getting it. To me it is all about the learning, and experimenting, that is what i enjoy most about producing.

Having said that, a template could be much like using hardware. where you wire up your gear in a certain way, ie a specific compressor on a drum machine for example, a certain verb on a synth ect. all going to a desk in the same place for every tune.

If I were writting for a set purpose like a label I can see that templates could be the way forward.

Im not sure if i am thinking correctly, and maybe my production would improve with the use of templates. I have a bit of time on my hands at the moment so maybe i might give it a go. (sorta thinking out loud there).