Custom Homes

Siteworks, the preparatory work done before construction, vary significantly depending on several factors:

• Topography: As mentioned, sloping sites require more extensive earthworks than flat sites.
• Soil Type: Different soil types necessitate different foundation preparation and compaction methods.
• Vegetation: Clearing requirements will differ based on the existing vegetation.
• Accessibility: Sites with difficult access may require specialized equipment and techniques.
• Bushfire Risk: Sites in bushfire-prone areas will require specific APZ preparation.
• Existing Services: The presence or absence of existing services (water, sewer, power) will affect the scope of siteworks.
• Local Council Requirements: Each local council has its own regulations and requirements, which can influence siteworks.
• Presence of Rock: Sites with rock close to the surface will require specialised excavation.

Topography refers to the shape and features of the land’s surface, including its elevation, slopes, and contours. Understanding your site’s topography is essential for:

• Building Placement: It influences where your home can be positioned to maximize views, drainage, and minimize earthworks.
• Service Placement: Topography affects the efficient placement of services like water, sewer, and power. For example, gravity-fed drainage relies on appropriate slopes.
• Earthworks: Steep slopes may require significant earthworks, such as cut and fill, which can impact costs and site stability.
• Drainage: Proper site drainage is crucial to prevent water pooling and potential damage. Understanding the topography helps determine the best drainage solutions.

We conduct thorough site assessments to understand your land’s topography and ensure optimal building and service placement.

A building envelope is the maximum three-dimensional space within which a building can be constructed on a specific lot. It’s defined by planning regulations, including setbacks from property boundaries, height restrictions, and sometimes other specific rules. Essentially, it dictates the permissible size and shape of your home on your land. Understanding the building envelope is crucial for design, as it determines the potential footprint and form of your dwelling.

Soil classification refers to the categorization of soil based on its properties, such as texture, composition, and density. Different soil types have varying characteristics that significantly impact earthworks and engineering. For example:

• Clay soils: Tend to retain water, can be expansive (swell and shrink), and may require specialized foundation designs.
• Sandy soils: Drain quickly, are less stable, and may require compaction for proper support.
• Loamy soils: A balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay, generally considered ideal for many construction purposes.
• Rock/gravel soils: Offer strong support but can be challenging to excavate.

Understanding the soil type is crucial for:

• Determining the appropriate foundation design.
• Planning earthworks and excavation.
• Selecting suitable materials and construction techniques.
• Ensuring proper drainage and site stability.
• Determining the correct Septic system design.

Natural ground level refers to the existing ground elevation, while FFL is the planned height of your finished floor. Sand pad battering is the sloping edge of the sand pad. We can offer advice on landscaping options to integrate the sand pad battering into your overall property design, creating a visually appealing and functional space.

A sump and pump system is used to move effluent when gravity flow is not possible. We can provide pictures to illustrate this system. It generally involves higher maintenance costs, so we try to avoid it in standard septic system installations. Ideally, septic systems should be located on the lower side of the property.

Depending on shire conditions and soil type, the shire may stipulate a height for your septic system, resulting in it being installed above natural ground level (like a mound). Semi-inverted systems are partially above ground, while fully inverted systems are completely above ground. These are most common in clay-rich areas.

ATU systems commonly use either drippers or flat beds for irrigation. ATUs with drippers offer more flexibility in locating the irrigation area. We can provide more detailed information on the specific pros and cons of each system based on your property’s needs.

We will notify you once planning is approved. After you’ve completed the APZ clearing, we’ll arrange an inspection to obtain a compliance certificate. This certificate is essential for lodging your building permit.

No. Creating an APZ doesn’t necessarily mean removing all trees. It may involve slashing, clearing dead debris, or trimming branches and canopies to create adequate separation.

You should wait until your Planning Approval has been granted before undertaking any APZ clearing work. This ensures you comply with any specific requirements from the local shire regarding trees or vegetation.

An Asset Protection Zone (APZ) is a cleared area surrounding your home, designed to reduce the risk of bushfire damage. It needs regular maintenance. The specific details and measurements for your APZ will be outlined in your detailed Bushfire Report and Bushfire Management Statement/Plan.

We build all across metropolitan and regional Western Australia. To see our full list of build locations click here.

Standard inclusions are fixtures and features that are included in the price of your new home. Any of these items can be upgraded to meet your lifestyle and budget. These upgrades can be chosen and ordered with your New Homes Administrator.

Your home comes with a Lifetime Structural Warranty reflecting the confidence we have in the quality of homes we build.

A standard design is one of our existing home designs, already drawn and costed. You can personalise it by upgrading the standard inclusions to suit your lifestyle and budget. A custom home starts with your brief instead. We design it around your block, your outlook and the way you want to live, so the floorplan is built for your site rather than adapted to it.

Yes. We build across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, so if your block sits within our build locations we can design a custom home for it. Before we design, we assess the block itself. Soil type, topography (the shape and slope of your land), the placement of services and any bushfire requirements all shape what can be built and where it sits.

Your quote is built from your design and your block, so it reflects the home you have actually asked for. We price the specification in detail so you can see exactly what is included. Site costs such as earthworks, drainage and any bushfire requirements are set out openly rather than left to be discovered later.