• The first step to building a new home or renovating is to understand what you want from your home, how do you live? What aspects of living are important to you? Are there aspects of your current home that don’t work for you? If not, then what are they? And how would you like to see that remedied?

We suggest you spend time researching online, or reading printed home magazines, to see what you like. You should also look at your budget - bear in mind what your budget is, you may like high end finishes but those come at a cost. You will want to set a realistic budget and determine whether your budget would accommodate high end finishes, superior finishes, standard finishes, or budget finishes, fittings, and appliances?

Once you decide what you want to do, you’ll need to research with your local Council whether you need to go down the formal route of applying for Development Application (DA) Approval with a subsequent Construction Certificate (CC), or whether your proposed works could be done under a Complying Development Certificate (CDC). Councils have different rules.

Once you have decided what it is you are trying to achieve, you can engage a design professional, whether an Architect, a Designer, or a Draftsperson. They each bring different skills, provide a different service, and are at varying price points.

You can either engage your builder during the draft plans process, or once you have decided on your plans.

When you plan to engage with a construction company to craft your custom built home, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Outlining a simple checklist will help you find the perfect land to build on, or simplify what you need in your next renovation or rebuild project. Start by noting a realistic budget, timeframe, lifestyle, design approach, as well as consulting with professionals for the right property for your build to be on.

Then, seek relevant approval from council for your build, renovation or excavation as this will help you determine the approved size and storeys you desire in the final design. After this stage, you will engage with an expert architect and builder that will effectively implement your design plans and any special finishes or fixtures you’d like (including green design, fixtures and finishes).

All Design Construction is your building team. Depending on how much design you have already done, we have architects, designers, and draftspeople whom we regularly partner with. We have over 20 years of experience building and renovating homes for people like you and this experience will help effectively identify aspects of the design that may need to be reconsidered. Here, we can offer expertise to give you the desired finish you envisioned, while considering budget, practicalities, and maintaining structural integrity of your custom build, rebuild or renovation.

We understand how daunting and overwhelming it can be during the planning and design stages of your project. From our experience, we have seen how a client's design can be drastically changed from the initial vision - leaving them feeling their custom build won’t reflect their dream home. We can serve as your personal advocate when liaising with your architect.

When deciding if you should purchase off the plan or a custom built home, you need to consider the lifestyle you desire. When purchasing off the plan, you have very little room to customise and change the layout of your new home. This means you have to fit your life to the ‘cookie cutter’ design as opposed to the home fitting your lifestyle. There are also the risks of inferior materials being used that won’t meet the standard of quality you’re looking for, or a rushed approach to building your home, at the expense of quality.

This is why with custom built homes, you can factor in every little detail in the layout, quality, design and feel all the way through to your smallest fixtures and finishes. With a custom built home, you can craft a lifestyle that works for you and shows your personality and style. You can be inspired to make a home that you’re proud of and can serve as your personal oasis.

With custom built homes - everything has been considered carefully before the construction phase (unless using the Design and Construct as you go method.) The only limitation is your imagination! Allow your lifestyle to influence how your home design - there’s no need to be constrained by a ‘cookie cutter’ home by large pre planned developments.