News/Blog

You might not know where to start when you decide to build a new home. It’s an exciting—and daunting—task. But like any big venture, it’s something best tackled in smaller steps. It’s something that can be a lot easier when you have a plan.

We’re not just talking about setting a budget and weighing up the costs here. Those things are important, but there are plenty of other details that come into play before you can make your dream house a reality. Your choice of home layout, features and builder all make a big impact on the finished product. Choose well, and you might be surprised at just how smoothly the whole process unfolds.

Location Matters

Whether you’re building or buying a home, one of the first things to consider is the location. For most people, the ideal is a nice, safe suburb with nearby schools, hospitals and shopping centres. Throw in plenty of clear roads and public transport links and you’ve got yourself a little slice of paradise!

Fortunately, Melbourne frequently ranks as the best place to live in Australia, and offers plenty of choices.

There’s Clyde North, a bustling neighbourhood in the south-east with plenty of cafes, restaurants and parks. In the west you have Tarneit, a suburb seeing rapid growth and high rates of employment. And Mickleham, an emerging hub in the north that’s drawing families with its new schools, green spaces and community centres.

Of course, selecting the right plot of land is also important. The size and shape of the plot will determine what kind of house you can build. For instance, a sloped lot can require expensive landscaping and foundations.

But a House and Land Package can make this part of the process much smoother. With a plot of land that builders have already reviewed to suit new builds, there’s less chance of any unexpected delays or expenses.

Designing Your Home

While your builder will usually help you choose a design, it still helps to have some idea of what you want.

Do you prefer one storey or two? An open-plan kitchen and entertainment area? Or a layout where the rooms are separate from each other? These considerations will help you build your vision, to ensure your home looks exactly how you pictured it once it’s built.

The following aspects also play a big role in the look and feel of your home, and it’s worth giving them some thought:

• Floor Plan: The layout of your house should have a good The floor plan should show a clear path between rooms, and they should be arranged in a way that makes sense. For example, bedrooms are usually positioned far away from noisy areas like kitchens or living rooms.
  
• Aesthetics: Think about how you want your house to look in terms of colour and style. Do you want a brick veneer or a sheer white façade? If you don’t have something in mind, it’s hard to go wrong with a balanced, harmonious style and neutral colours.
• Home Orientation: The right orientation can make a more comfortable, energy efficient house. The usual recommendation is to have your home—and living areas—facing This helps bring in heat and natural sources of light during the winter, while some well-placed eaves and awnings can keep you cool during the summer.

Essential House Features

You might already have some awesome house features in mind. Maybe it’s a spacious, walk-in wardrobe, the convenience of a butler’s pantry or a home theatre for your enjoyment. After all, it’s always the ‘nice-to-haves’ that steal our hearts.

Still, it’s worth thinking over the essentials beforehand. Quality insulation, heating systems and 7-star energy ratings might not get anyone’s pulse racing, but they’ll make a world of difference when it comes to your energy bills and overall comfort.

Dennis Family Homes incorporates all of these as standard inclusions in their house and land packages but doesn’t skimp on the features you love. Whether you’re after an open-plan kitchen, an alfresco dining area or ensuite bathrooms, they’ve got a design to match your needs.

 

Choosing the Right Builder

It almost goes without saying, but selecting a reputable builder is incredibly important. It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a house, and you’ll want to be sure that the people doing the job get it right.

You’ll want to go with a professional builder, someone with a proven track record. For instance, the Dennis Family has built more than 30,000 homes since 1982 and has received numerous awards from the Housing Industry Association.

Of course, you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Whoever you choose as your builder, it’s important to seek out testimonials from customers. Dennis Family Homes has hundreds of happy homeowners who can back up our promise of a timely, stress-free service—and any builder worth trusting should be able to do the same.

Getting It Right

Building a new home gives you the opportunity to tailor the perfect living space for your needs. Yes, there can be a bit of planning involved, but you can also streamline the process with the help of a professional builder.

House and Land Packages can make it even easier. Instead of researching everything from zoning laws to soil quality, you only have to choose where you’d like to live and select a home design that meets your needs from dozens of popular standards.

Builders like Dennis Family Homes will also ensure that every aspect of your home—from the fixtures to the colour scheme—are implemented to your liking.

So, if you’ve been thinking about building a new home but don’t know where to start, feel free to give us a call on 1800 336 647 or leave on online enquiry. Even if it’s just to explore your options, we’re here to help you find whatever home means to you.