When you decide to build a custom house, you embark on an exciting and rewarding journey. If it’s your first time, however, it can also be quite overwhelming without a clear understanding of the process.
In this step-by-step guide, our experts at Leneeva Homes will help you navigate the stages of custom home designs and the subsequent building phases in Melbourne, ensuring you’re well-prepared and confident every step of the way.
The first step in building your dream home is creating a project brief. This is where your custom builder gets to know you, your vision, and your requirements. Ensuring everything you envision is possible within your budget and meeting expectations is essential.
Once your project brief is established, the next step is to start materialising your ideas. The drafting services involve investigating and surveying your site, followed by drafting a concept plan based on your initial ideas.
In this stage, the concept design is reviewed against your ideas. Different options are compared to determine which design suits you best while ensuring the estimated cost remains within your budget.
To avoid any cost blowouts during construction, we will align your requirements and budget at this stage. You will also work with an interior designer to begin detailing the finishes of your home.
After the estimate review, a formal quote is prepared for building your home. The quotation and plan review stage also includes a thorough review of the plan to ensure all details are covered, and no stone is left unturned.
Before contracts are prepared, you’ll review all documentation associated with the contract signing. This ensures transparency and understanding of all terms.
The final step before construction begins is the formal signing of contracts and documentation, allowing for a building permit to be applied for and issued.
The frame walk-through is a significant milestone in the custom home-building process. It is the first time you will physically walk through the skeleton of your new home, allowing you to see your plans come to life in three dimensions.
During this walk-through, your supervisor will guide you through the framed structure of your home. You’ll get a firsthand look at the layout of rooms, hallways, and the overall flow of the house. It is the perfect opportunity to visualise the space and make necessary adjustments before the walls are closed.
The walk-through is also a time for adjustments without significant additional costs. If you identify any changes you’d like to make, such as slightly moving a wall, changing the size of a window, or altering the layout of a particular room, now is the time to discuss them with your builder.
After the frame is up, the next major phase is the lock-up stage, where your home is secured with external doors and windows, making it weather-tight. Beyond lock-up, the focus shifts to internal work, turning the house into a liveable space.
At this stage, significant progress is made inside your home. The walls are lined with plaster, and internal structures such as stairs and built-in furniture start to take shape. Many find that this is when your house begins to feel more like a home, as rooms become defined spaces.
Regular quality checks are essential during this phase to ensure that all work meets the highest standards. Your builder will inspect the work regularly and address any issues promptly to maintain the quality and integrity of the build.
The fixing stage is where your home really begins to come together. It involves installing fixtures and fittings that transform the house into a functional living space.
This stage concerns the details that make a house feel like a home. Ensuring that all fixtures and fittings are installed correctly and to your satisfaction is crucial. Your builder will work closely with you to finalise these elements, ensuring everything aligns with your vision.
As the construction of your home nears its end, the final touches are applied to ensure everything is perfect, including thorough inspections and preparations for the handover.
The handover is the final and most exciting step of the custom home-building process. It marks the moment when you take ownership of your new home and begin the next chapter of your life.
Building a custom home in Melbourne is a detailed process that requires careful planning and execution.
By following this step-by-step guide, our specialists at Leneeva Homes can help you navigate the custom home-building process with confidence. From the initial design to the final handover, each stage works to create a home that is uniquely yours.
For more information, please contact us today.
