Navigating Custom Home Design and Builder Selection

Hello! This is Episode 327, and I’ve brought Janet back to talk more about her project of building a new home on a challenging block for her family in Brisbane, Queensland. 

We’re talking all about how they selected their builder, tendered their project, made their selections and got ready for construction.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/327]

We first met Janet back in Episode 319 and Episode 320, where Janet shared how she and her partner Paul, and their 3 children, started on their project journey in 2021.  

Janet shared that they’d lived in their existing home for almost 19 years, and renovated it whilst their two oldest kids were really little. 

Janet felt, in hindsight, they rushed it, and now were living in a home that isn’t adapting to the changing demands of family life. 

AND she knew they didn’t want to renovate it again, as they felt they’d have to undo things to make the necessary changes.

Whilst investigating what to do next, they unexpectedly found a block of land nearby, and after some deliberation, they purchased it.

And then began their design journey, which is what Janet shares with us in those episodes. If you haven’t listened, it’s really worth doing so, or downloading the transcript, so you can hear all the amazing learnings that Janet shares.

To summarise: they worked with one company to amend the floor plan of a two storey home in an attempt to get it to work on the site. However, the site constraints meant it wasn’t going to deliver the outcome they were seeking, and a custom approach seemed to be the best option.

Janet and Paul then chose their building designer, and worked with them to create a super interesting design for their new home.

Nicknamed ‘the house with a hole’, the rooms in this home circumnavigate an external landscaped courtyard area in the middle, shaping a central courtyard.

This enables their home to create a privatised outdoor area, helps light to enter the home really well, and a super interesting floor plan and living experience … all on a super constrained site.

Janet is back in this Episode, and you’ll hear how she and Paul interviewed and vetted builders, to ultimately decide on their chosen one.

And you’ll also hear how they navigated the pre-construction and tender phase to get ready for construction. Janet discusses what worked, what learnings she had, and improved her project overall.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/327.

Now, let’s dive in!

SHOW NOTES:

If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you.

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes. 

Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/327

Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

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