The secret to designing the home of your dreams is made up of two parts:
- Having a clear vision for what you want, and
- Finding the right team to help bring that vision to life.
Most people get the first one right, but the second part can get tricky.
Choosing a large multinational builder may seem like the better option at first–they’re less expensive, and have pre-drawn-out layouts that help streamline the process.
But this perceived convenience can come at a high cost to your satisfaction and overall experience as volume builders often operate on a one-size-fits-all model, pushing standardised designs that may not fully align with your vision.
Consider a happily married couple who were in post-retirement.
They came to us looking to build a home, and they were very particular about what they wanted–a large two-storey home with a pool room and provisions to put in a lift in the future.
Through multiple drafts and close client engagement, we tailored every aspect of the home to meet the couple’s exact needs. The result? A beautiful home that checked all the boxes, leaving them completely satisfied.
So now the question is how do you do that?
Well first, let’s dive into the two options available to you: volume builders and bespoke builders.
Volume builders are the guys that mass-produce with set layout plans.
Custom home builders design your home from scratch based on what you want–offering customisation on just about anything.
The seemingly easier option is to go with a volume builder… no headaches from designing layout plans, no going back-and-forth with the builder, a faster process. But…
What’s Easy in the Short Term Doesn’t Always Fare Well Later On
There are a couple of limitations you face when going with a volume builder.
Future-Proofing
The layouts provided are often rigid, and with that rigidity comes limitations on renovating in the future. Set layouts are great, but they don’t take into account things you want to change or add down the line. And with that comes more costs.
Your Own Personal Touch
Volume builders offer a one-size-fits-all approach, which can lead someone to feel like they have to compromise on what they really want out of a home. For instance…
- What if you want an alfresco?
- A pool?
- Or the bedroom on the first floor instead of the second?
All of a sudden, your needs start to feel bogged down by the layout’s constraints, leaving you with a home that you feel you’ve settled for, instead of a home that’s truly yours. Because…
Why Go to All the Effort of Building Your Home, if it Doesn’t Feel Like it Was Made for You?
Custom home builders keep this question in mind all the way through.
They understand that it’s not just about drafting the right layout, but about providing a living space for you and your family to grow, feel comfortable, and experience life in.
They know that to ensure the client is completely happy, they must personalise the home-building process.
They emphasise things like energy efficiency and upgrades, including better quality windows and draft improvements. Or–like the older couple–they put provisions in place to make future upgrades less of a hassle.
The secret sauce lies in extensive client engagement and involves asking in-depth questions about your needs concerning layout, style, bedrooms, living areas, and outdoor preferences.
Understanding how to navigate this is crucial, and the more you know, the closer you’ll be to getting it right. To support you in this process, I’ve created a comprehensive guide that outlines everything you need to know about designing a new home.
Build with Confidence – 7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home
It’s completely free, and provides all the answers you need to building the home you dreamed of.
Click the link to download your free guide, and start planning for your dream home today.
