Hello,

I always recommend making a list of must haves and lust haves for your Builder. Sometimes the reason the plan doesn't hit the mark is because they don't have a clear enough idea of what you require in your home.

If even after outlining clearly the things that are important to you, you still are not frothing at the mouth with excitement - then go somewhere else!

Good luck

amongst the first steps is to understand the block of land...width, depth, direction of north, any good or bad views, slopes etc so you can understtand how the best floor plan will take best advantage of the orientation and outlook...check myhome.gov and undercover architect for ideas about the basic layout and then the Hamptons styling can be added later

Hi Anastasia,

Have you approached the builder & asked if they would be happy to make a few changes to their plan instead? We did that with our builder & they have been very accommodating & helpful to modify one of their floor plans to suit our needs. I saying that, I got invaluable help & advice right here at Houzz from OKLouise, Siriuskey & Co-Design (& other wonderful contributors) - they gave us insight, perspective, fresh ideas & ingenious solutions :) not to mention a lot of their time & talent. It’s an exciting time & I hope you find your dream house plan.

I would start with making sure that your floor plan is exactly what you want, then put in Hamptons decor. It is the floor plan that ultimately determines the livability of your home.

As Oklouise suggested, the myHome.gov.au website is a great place to start, to get informed. And listen to the Undercover Architect podcasts from the beginning of series 1. Her advice is invaluable. It will help you understand why orientation and other factors are key to the comfort of your home. She also has a series in which she interviews different professionals that might be worth a listen to help you choose which way to go. Her series on budgeting is also gold.
Budget may, in part, dictate how you proceed. Volume homes are generally cheaper (but not always) but you will have less control over the process, quality, floor plans and design, and fixtures and fittings.
That said, some volume builders will allow you to modify their designs. Others will build your design or help you come up with a design, although there can be pitfalls to that approach as builders are usually not designers.
Custom building is usually, but not always, more expensive than a volume builder but you have much greater control over the whole process. You will generally need to engage a building designer, architect or draftsperson if you go this way, fees can add up, and build cost is usually higher. You’ll get closer to exactly what you want (unless your budget is limitless, then you really can have anything you want), probably at a higher level of quality, but you’ll pay more for it.
Or there is the option of modular and prefabricated homes. Some of these are architect driven with strong design values and eco credentials and give you a quality build with lower costs than a bespoke design as they are able to contain costs. But do your homework if you go down this route as some are better than others. Prebuilt is one example. Archiblox is another. A few will do a hamptons style place but most tend to be more contemporary in their design approach.
For our next build we are going with a small company run by an architect and builder that build houses with an eight star energy rating using a modular system that is highly flexible in its design and optimally suited to the orientation of the block. Cost wise it will sit half way between a volume builder and a true custom design. The compromise is that we need to build within their system, and have some limitations in fixtures and fittings but also some flexibility. It’s a compromise we are happy with because the architect and builder who are key to this project share a similar aesthetic to us, are motivated by sustainability, use quality products in their build and take pride in their work.
Good luck with the planning. Take your time and do your homework. This is a great resource too.

Great advice - thanks heaps!!

Anastasia, it will come down to cost vs what you want, and working out how best to balance that - sounds simple enough, but it's not and that's what design professionals (should!) be able to assist you with. The issue that dts has raised above in relation to clients approaching a builder after having something (perfectly) designed, only to have their dreams shattered when in reality the cost is beyond budget, is certainly a valid point and plagues the custom industry, which in nature is expensive because you a paying a premium to have something crafted specifically to a particular set of needs within a particular context.......I completely agree with him on this, and raising the point that you kind of need both areas of expertise to come together.....What I consider to be critical in the process (of designing) is to above anything else 1. understand what the clients wants - that is BOTH the requirements AND their budget and 2. Manage their expectations (robustly ;) ) from as early as possible as to what is viable/realistic and work collaboratively with various parties, bringing in the builder or real estate agents at certain strategic points in the design process in order to avoid "the merry go round" as described above.....it's actually not that hard, you just have to do it in the right order, be honest and be prepared too have clear/direct conversations around money and get to the nitty gritty of what people's priorities really area first up....when you have that sorted you get on with designing within the constraints of the budget within context......what is hard for people is to know where to compromise, and how to come to the best balance between budget and scope as it involves knowledge across many different areas to do it well and to achieve good value........the hard thing also is that there are both designers and builders who are tuned in to various degrees on this critical issue depending upon where they sit in the market and they are not necessarily singing the same song so to speak. You have work out the particular option that is best for you...my advice: if you cannot find an off the shelf plan fitting your needs, speak to a local designer as a start to get a feel of what realistically ballpark you're looking at for the general thing you're seeking.....last thing, you have to inherently trust the people you're working with/advising you.....best of luck :) PD

Hi Anastasia, I am in exactly in the same boat. I loved Aston Milan coastal display home at Newport. I would love to follow your journey on this and know what to do next. Thanks

Don't builders offer different options in facades? The websites I have looked at often show a few different styles of the same floorplan. If you can't find a floorplan that fits your needs and lends itself to the Hamptons look then perhaps getting something designed is the way to go. I agree with previous replies emphasising the importance of the practical basics such as a workable floorplan and good orientation.

Hi Anastasia, DTS builders and Paul have offered invaluable advice here. As a custom builder we cant compete with the volume builders, however as custom builders are far more flexible with design etc. The first step is crucial to saving you money. The design process of a custom project should be a symbiotic process between yourself, your designer and your builder. So many people get their plans done, then look for the cheapest builder they can. Base your decisions on quality and ensure that your builder and designer are selected at the beginning. Don't be surprised if your builder charges for their quote either - A custom builder who charges for their quote will take the time to ensure your project is designed and built to your budget giving you far more surety. There are many great custom builders in Australia offering this service