When you decide to build or renovate a home, you typically have two choices: pre-designed or custom designed plans. Both can be great options (read our blog on the pros and cons of each here), but it’s not by chance that we chose to become custom home builders. Here, we wanted to share what we love about them in a bit more detail.
WHAT MAKES A HOME ‘CUSTOM’
Custom homes are one-of-a-kind designs built to suit a specific client and their block. The design will consider everything from the block size and topography to the client’s way of life and preferences, aiming to combine it all into a beautiful, functional home.
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THEM
There’s a wide range of benefits that come with custom designs and these will vary depending on your site and circumstances. One thing for certain, though, is that the more challenging a site, the more beneficial a custom home will be. Let’s start there:
Ideal for challenging blocks
In contrast to pre-designed homes, which usually only suit flat, square blocks, custom homes can be designed to work with and even take advantage of challenging, irregular blocks without the need for costly site works.
In our Maldon Way project, for example, the clients wanted a small home that took advantage of views over Blue Gum Reserve. This raised concerns over privacy from the street, but a custom design was able to use the significantly sloped block to mitigate this. A pool acts as part of a retaining wall that blocks some views in, while double-glazing and electronic screening offer all the privacy they need.
Personalised design
Next is the fact that these homes are designed specifically for the people who’ll be living in them. Rooms and design choices, from the ergonomics down to the fixtures and fittings, can be chosen based on the needs, budget and lifestyle of each client.
In our Kitchener Road project, an alternative access allows the students of one of the clients, a music teacher, to enter directly into the music room. At Urch Road, we were able to include custom built-in furniture that’s very practical and creates a connection between the design and styling. In multiple projects we’ve even been able to choose materials that reduce maintenance, like tile-free bathrooms and durable wall panelling for parents keen to minimise cleaning.
Functionality and sustainability
One primary goal of most custom designs is to optimise the functionality of the home, to make the most of every square inch and every dollar that’s been spent on it. This ideology can ensure there’s no wasted space (which costs money to build and maintain) and may even allow a client to choose a smaller block in a more desirable area without sacrificing functionality. On a large scale, more people choosing smaller blocks can significantly reduce urban sprawl.
Custom homes are also likely to be more sustainable and of higher quality than their pre-designed counterparts. This can simply be a result of a design that suits its location, but many clients also choose to prioritise them. Durable long-lasting materials can make a huge difference in a home’s longevity and, budget permitting, you have the flexibility to include as many eco-friendly additions as you’d like. And best of all? These won’t just reduce your environmental impacts, they’ll most likely reduce your maintenance and utility costs in the long run, too.
Our Banjup project took this idea to a whole new level and requested a home that was almost entirely off-grid. To do this, they included solar panels (with battery storage), large water tanks and even their own sewerage system. The result is a stunning home that supports a family of 5 within minimal utility bills.
THEY CAN BE CHALLENGING
Despite all the benefits of choosing a custom design, there are challenges that come with them. Most significant, is the cost. Pre-designed homes can divide the time (and cost) of the design between many clients, but custom designs will need the same amount of time (or more depending on the complexity) for just one project. If you have the funds, we think custom designs offer better value for money, but if budget is a concern, pre-designs are still an excellent choice.
The next challenge is the level of uncertainty that comes with a custom design. With a pre-designed home, it’s possible to walk into a showroom and see the exact finished product before you’ve spent any money or signed a contract. This is simply not possible with a custom design, but with a good designer, some patience and open communication, we’re sure it’ll all be well-worth it.
ADVICE IF YOU GO CUSTOM
Budget management – After all of our years in the industry, we can confidently say that the biggest killer of a project is inaccurate costing. Your designer will rarely be able to provide accurate costing without consulting with your builder, so save yourself a lot of confusion by pairing your designer and builder as early as possible.
Costing through to completion – Regardless of whether your builder will be with you to the end, your costing should include everything through to the final detail. This will help you create a roadmap with a clear route and no unwelcome surprises.
Invest in the concept design – The concept design is the first thing that every other part of your project will be based on. Some designers are happy to provide these as a low-cost, quick sketch, but without taking the time to fully consider your project, they’ll likely miss a lot of design opportunities. A reasonable timeframe is typically 6-8 weeks.
Transparency – Transparency is vital from both sides of the table. We’ve come across many clients who provide budgets much lower than they really have. This is often to protect themselves, but also results in a design that’s not nearly as good as it could be. By providing a realistic budget and being honest if you have a safety net of funds, your designer can know exactly what they’re working with. In return, your builder should provide costing to a high-level of detail.
Here at Arklen, it’s the journey that we love about building custom homes. We get to watch a design grow from an idea into a fully realised home that’s never been built before. And if you’ve met us, it’ll be no surprise to hear that we also love the challenge and craftsmanship that comes with it. So, if you’re keen to see how we might be able to bring your unique home into reality, get in touch.