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Crafting and customising: The complete guide to building your own home

So, you’re wondering how to ‘make’ your own home. Building your own home is an exciting journey, especially in beautiful Mandurah. With its stunning coastal scenery and vibrant community, it’s the perfect place to bring your dream home to life. However, with so many decisions to make, having the right builder and designer on your side is crucial. Here’s a simple guide to help you from the first plans to getting the keys.

Make the right choices

Finding the right builder

Choosing a builder who really understands your vision and can bring it to life is essential. In Mandurah’s tight-knit community, a solid local reputation and word-of-mouth are crucial. Start by asking around, checking reviews, and getting a sense for who might be the right fit for your project. Arrange your initial meeting to chat with D.A. Burke Directors, Matt and Daryn, about your needs, preferences, and budget, ensuring everyone’s on the same page from the outset. Working with a builder who knows your vision and the local vibe can make the whole building process much smoother and more enjoyable.

Why meeting with the builder and designer is important

It’s vital to meet with both your builder and designer from the get-go. This team — comprising the builder, designer, and you — will collaborate to bring your vision to life. Use this time to discuss your budget, must-haves, and the size of your home to ensure your dream aligns with your financial plans and land considerations. Whether you’re buying new land or already own a block, the design should maximise the potential of the land’s views and features.

Choosing materials

Selecting the right materials is key, particularly with regional requirements like bushfire zones or coastal areas in mind. Speak with your builder about your material preferences to ensure they fit within your budget. It’s important to decide where you want to splurge and where you can save a bit, aligning with the overall vision and requirements of your build.

Budgeting and financial management

Effective budgeting is the backbone of a successful build. Understanding potential overestimations and their impact on the project’s commencement is crucial. D.A. Burke provides accurate estimates tailored to your needs, helping you manage your budget effectively throughout the building process. This ensures financial clarity and aids in preventing any unexpected costs.

Finalising the design

Once your budget and design preferences are in sync, it’s time to finalise your home design. This crucial step minimises the need for changes and extra costs during construction. A well-planned design sets the stage for a smooth construction phase and results in a home that meets your expectations.

By following these steps and working closely with D.A. Burke, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of building a custom home, ensuring a more structured and satisfying building experience.

Construction phase

Site preparation and setout

With permits in hand, site preparation kicks off. The earthworker starts with siteworks and sand pad preparation. Once the siteworks are done, a licensed surveyor marks the building setout, placing the external corners of your home in the correct location for the concreter.

Foundation and framework

Next up is foundation work. This includes concreting, plumbing, and electrical prelays. After siteworks and the engineer’s compaction certificate, the concreter, plumber, and electrician get to work. This involves setting out the house slab, digging footings, organising pest control, and prepping for the slab pour.

Building up the structure

With the slab all cured, it’s time to dive into the next exciting phase: brickwork or framing. This is when your site gets loaded up with all the materials – think stacks of bricks, bundles of timber, and all the tools needed for the job. The bricklayers or carpenters roll up their sleeves and get to work, building up the walls that will shape your new home. Brick by brick or beam by beam, they piece it all together, making sure everything is just right. This is the moment when your floor plans start to take shape, and you can finally get a real sense of your future living spaces.

Roofing and external works

Once the walls are up, roof construction begins. Roof carpenters install roof timbers or steel. When they’re done, the roof plumber measures for roofing materials and places the order. While waiting for these materials, the plumber and electrician complete their rough-ins. When the roofing materials arrive, the roof plumbers install the roof and gutters.

Internal works and insulation

With the roof in place, internal works can start. Plasterers or Gyprockers cover the brickwork or frames, insulate the ceilings, and complete the internal plastering. This phase includes installing glass and reaching the lock-up stage.

Finishing touches

At the lock-up stage, finishing trades move in. The second-fix carpenter hangs doors and skirting boards, followed by painters who complete the initial coats. Tilers prepare wet areas, and cabinetmakers install cabinetry. After waterproofing, tiling begins.

Final fit-out and cleaning

After the initial work, the painters come back for those final, perfect coats that really make the colours pop and give your home that fresh, finished look. Meanwhile, the plumbers and electricians are busy fitting off fixtures like lights, power points, and all the essential plumbing. This is when all those details come together, from sleek faucets to elegant light fittings.

Once the trades are done, the cleaners move in, giving your home a meticulous clean inside and out. They make sure every nook and cranny is spotless, so your new home is sparkling and ready for you to move in. This thorough cleaning ensures everything looks pristine for the exciting handover day.

Handover and completion

The last step in your home-building journey is the Practical Completion (PC) inspection. During this site meeting, any final touches are noted and addressed. Once everything is sorted the keys to your brand-new home are handed over, marking the completion of your dream home.

Building a home is a big deal, and we get that. Plus, being part of the vibrant Mandurah community makes it even more special. We’re here to make sure every detail is exactly how you want it. So if you’re looking for some advice or a custom quote, let’s have a chat and see how we can start bringing your vision to life. If you’re looking for some advice, or are simply ready to get started with a custom quote, have a chat with us, the Mandurah building specialists, to make sure your custom build goes exactly the way you want it to.

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