How to Enjoy Building a New Home, with Fionna and Ed

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Dec 15, 2025

Fionna and Ed share their insights from building a sustainable, accessible home with proactive preparation being key. They discuss how regular updates from their builder kept them informed and confident throughout the process. The couple emphasizes the importance of thorough design documentation, which minimized site issues. They reflect on the value of a strong team dynamic, illustrating trust in their architect and builder, and how collaboration led to innovative solutions. Finally, they offer valuable advice for future builders on proper planning and prototyping.

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ANECDOTE

Seamless Builder Handover

Parry took personal leave and handed the project seamlessly to partner Eugene, who had been involved from the framing stage.
The builder team met each evening to share issues so handover caused minimal disruption.

ADVICE

Agree On Architect Turnaround Up Front

Set clear expectations with your architect about turnaround and involvement intervals.
Use regular, known intervals (e.g., three-week turnarounds) so you know when decisions and updates will occur.

INSIGHT

Chemistry Between Architect And Builder Matters

A collaborative relationship between architect and builder protects design intent during construction.
Mutual respect reduced suggestions to change key design decisions unless necessary.

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Hello! This is Episode 380, and it’s Part 4 of my conversation with Fionna and Ed, as they take us behind the scenes of their new build journey of their sustainable, accessible home, and share how they set things up so they could enjoy the experience.

In this episode, it’s the last in our 4-part series, and we’re talking about what it’s been like on site - visiting regularly, watching progress unfold, and tracking schedule and budget.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/380]

Fionna and Ed share how their builder has provided regular, transparent updates against budget and time, which has helped them stay informed and confident every step of the way.

You’ll hear why the time they invested in the design phase well and truly paid off once construction began… and how their clear expectations of the consultants involved, along with their architect’s thorough preparation, helped set everything up for success from the outset.

In fact, they say they’ve had far more confidence in this build than in any of their previous renovation projects. And I think it’s largely due to their level of preparation and education, and then how they’ve been able to pull such a fantastic team together that they’ve collaborated so well with.

They’ve been proactive, intentional and well-informed, and you’ll hear Fionna’s thoughts towards the end of the episode as she shares some great advice for you if you’re planning your own project.

Also, one of my favourite moments in this conversation is Fionna’s reflection on the importance of trusting your past self.

Because when you make well-informed decisions early, and document them properly, you don’t need to second-guess or course-correct constantly during construction. Trusting in her past self, and the research she made to inform those decisions at the time is one of the things that has helped keep things moving smoothly, even when the inevitable bumps have arisen.

(Now, if you haven’t listened to the previous parts of our conversation and want to hear the whole story from the start, head back to Episodes 377, 378 and 379. You’ll find them at www.undercoverarchitect.com/377 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/378 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/379 )

And remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/380.

Now, let’s dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/380

Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when designing, renovating or building your future home inside my signature online program, HOME Method >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

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