thisplace.com.au - Project Homes

If you're looking to build a new home, choosing a design which is affordable, functional, pleasing and makes effective use of your land and environmental factors will be important in determining your long term satisfaction, comfort and convenience. In terms of design, the recommended alternatives are:

choose or modify one of the existing designs offered by your project builder; or
engage a design professional (ie. licensed building designer, architect, engineer or builder) to prepare the design, plans and specifications on your behalf based on your instructions.

Project Homes - Some Pros and Cons

Many project home builders offer a large selection of 'standard' plans covering a wide range of prices, styles, sizes, specifications and standards of fittings and inclusions. Some of these builders specialise in a particular style of home (ie. Colonial, Federation, double storey etc).

In addition to providing established plans, project builders arrange and coordinate the building process on your behalf. They may also provide other services, including assistance with mortgage finance and a variety of combined house and land packages (these packages may include 'extras' such as car accommodation, driveway, turf, full floor coverings, etc).

The advantages of using your project builder's standard plans include:

the designs may already have been tried and proven by previous clients;
some of the designs may be on permanent display giving you the opportunity to view the finished product
there may be cost savings (especially compared to a custom design); and
the ease and convenience, time savings associated with not having to develop a detailed design specification.

The plans already prepared by project builders may not, however, match your practical requirements or design preferences, or make the best use of the aspect and shape of your land. Some changes (eg, in design detail, room size, standard of fittings/inclusions) will usually be allowed but, because most project builders are not set up to offer a complete custom design service, there will be some limitations in the choices available to you.

Ask your project builder to what extent his/her plans can be varied and at what cost.

For further information on this subject refer to the BSA website.

Source: BSA Fact Sheet 8/00