our process.
Building a custom designed home is an opportunity to create a space that is uniquely yours. This Build Guide has been developed to help you understand the custom home journey, from initial design through to construction and handover.
It outlines the key stages of the process, the decisions involved, and the level of care and craftsmanship applied at every step. Our goal is to provide clarity, confidence, and a personalised building experience, ensuring your custom home is delivered with quality, transparency, and attention to detail.
We can also provide you with the same quality service if you already have your plans prepared.
STEP ONE: Consult and Design
Initial Meeting
Contact us to arrange an initial consultation. We will discuss what you would like to achieve both aesthetically and practically and go over our process in detail.
Site Inspection
A free, no obligation site inspection will allow us to analyse your site and determine any limitations with the site. We can provide you with guidance as to what you can achieve on your site within your budget and your desired time frame.
Initial Design
At this stage a preliminary agreement is prepared, and for a set fee we will engage our preferred draftsman, discuss with them your aesthetic and practical requirements with your budget in mind.
A site survey will be completed and from this point you will sit down with our draftsman to create a concept design that meets your requirements. Once a concept design including site plan, floor plan and elevations are complete we will provide you with an estimated build cost. At this stage if you don’t wish to proceed with Attwood Builders your concept drawings are yours to take with you.
STEP TWO: Select and Quote
Selections
At this stage we can really start to fine tune the design of your project. We will finalise the design and you will complete the selections for your entire build and really get a feel for your new home. And in the background we will take care of the final working plans, soil test, engineering, energy report and any further required documentation.
Final Quote
Our final quote will reflect the selections you have made and all structural requirements. A building contract will be prepared and signed by both parties and we will provide you with an estimated start time as well as a guideline for the duration of the build.
STEP THREE: Construction
Permits
Where required, we will liaise with the relevant authorities to obtain permits for your project. Generally, this can take up to 3-4 weeks.
Construction
Once the building permits are received we begin construction, Brad will be in constant communication throughout the build with fortnightly site meetings and progress photos provided to clients.
Domestic builds are done in 6 stages in line with the progress payments throughout the job:
- Initial deposit – prior to the permit application
- Base stage – once your concrete slab is down
- Framing stage – timber frame is standing and passed by the building
inspector - Lock up stage – windows and external doors installed, roof and wall
cladding installed and all services roughed in - Fixing stage – plaster installed, carpentry fix complete, joinery installed and
wall and floor tiling complete - Final completion – painting and floor coverings installed, electrical and plumbing fit off, external concrete paths and driveway installed and all other contracted works complete
STEP FOUR: Handover
Handover
At the completion of your build a walk though will be arranged where any defects will be identified and repaired by Attwood Builders over the following days. Once the defects are completed, the final inspection and certificate of occupancy is received and final payment is made, the keys are yours to enjoy your new home.
Warranties
Within three months of handover we will be back to fix any further defects found once you move in. Attwood Builders then provides a further 2 year warranty on all non-structural parts of your home as well as a 10 year structural warranty.
frequently asked questions.
If you are contemplating a new custom build with your design, renovation or looking for a pre-designed custom build, get in touch.
What warranties and post construction support do we offer?
At the completion of your build a walk though will be arranged where any defects identified will be repaired. Within three months of handover, we will be back to fix any further defects found once you move in.
Attwood Builders then provides a further two year warranty on all non- structural parts of your home as well as a 10 year structural warranty.
How long does the design process take?
The design is a critical part of the process. This can take anywhere from 2-3 months depending on your preferences, decision making and any permit requirements needed through local council.
Attwood Builders prefers to be a part of this process to make sure any part of the design is functional, practical, feasible and affordable.
How long is the construction period?
This is dependent on the project.
As a general rule our pre-designed homes will take 6-9 months, custom home 8-12 months.
Bathroom renovations generally take a month and extension/renovations from 6 months.
Can I visit the construction site during the build process?
Yes you can visit the site during the build process, but for safety reasons these are booked in and held at a mutual time with the builder.
How much does a custom home cost to build?
It can be difficult to provide a square metre rate because this is dependent on many variables including your design, choice of materials, finishes, fixtures and fittings.
Attwood Builders can assist making these choices to fit your budget before finalising the design process.
testimonial:
paul's custom holiday home in Bundalong
Experience
We wholeheartedly recommend Brad, Penne and the broader Attwood Builders team who recently completed the construction of our dream holiday home. From the beginning of the project, Brad and Penne exhibited a level of professionalism and expertise that immediately put us at ease.
Communication
One of the most outstanding qualities is their clean and effective communication. They consistently kept us informed about the progress of the project, addressing any questions or concerns we had promptly and comprehensively. Their transparency and willingness to discuss various aspects of the construction made the entire process smooth and stress-free.
Passion
What truly sets them apart is their genuine care for their clients and their responsiveness. They went above and beyond to ensure that every detail of our dream holiday home was executed flawlessly. Their commitment to customer satisfaction was unwavering, and they consistently demonstrated a genuine passion for their work.
Quality
The quality of workmanship displayed throughout the project was truly remarkable, exceeding our highest expectations. Their attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the construction process.
Result
In conclusion, we are thrilled with the end result of our holiday home, and we could not recommend them more highly.
