Simon Hopes

There are a number of compelling reasons why interested homeowners would choose to have a custom home built, rather than shop the market and try to settle for a property that may not completely fulfil their needs. Not only will the custom home deliver the experience you want and need for you and your family, but you will spend less time needing to deal with repairs and will be able to take advantage of enhanced energy efficiency and lower utility bills.

The only problem with building a custom home is that many people choose to call a home builder far later in the home planning process than they actually should. The typical progression of events is:

1. Call up a real estate agent who will help you find and purchase the lot.
2. Hire a designer/architect to help you draw up plans for your home.
3. Interview and hire home builders.

As logical as this may seem, the best plan of action is to call up a home builder in Perth, WA first.

The Builder Will Help You Choose the Best Lot
Real estate agents are helpful in that they will be able to help locate properties in the area you wish to live. But before you seal the deal with the real estate agent, call up a reputable home builder first. The home builder will be able to provide you with the most insight as to what will need to be done to build your dream home on that lot. They will be able to tell you:

• Whether there will be drainage issues
• If you will need to have a retaining wall installed
• If the site will need to be prepped prior to construction

Every homeowner who is having a custom home built has a budget, so it’s often shocking to discover just how much these additional ‘little things’ will cost them. Your home builder will help prevent these unexpected expenses and help you stay on budget.

The Builder Delivers a Realistic Budget
Apart from ensuring that the lot you choose is appropriate for your budget, the home builder will be able to provide you with a realistic cost for your project. The best builders in the area will provide you with not only a cost per square metre, but they will provide you with information about the cost of the materials and the level of finish you want for your home.

The Builder Can Help with Your Plans
It is also a good idea to have your home builder working somewhat alongside you or your home designer/architect during the drawing process. With what you want from your home in mind, the home builder will have the experience and insight necessary to make sure that you get everything you want out of your home in the space you want. Many will also know a number of fantastic drawers and architects who will assist you better in drawing your dream home than any other designer you may have access to.