Renovating
Building Your Own Home? Here Are 7 Essential Lessons
It's a long and exciting road ahead and those who have already done it tell us how to come out the other side feeling completely satisfied
For those of you about to launch into building your own home, you may be asking yourself, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’. Fear not – these pearls of wisdom, passed on by those who have also built their own homes, may be just what you need. The task at hand may seem daunting, but the general consensus is to stick with your gut instinct and plan, plan, plan. If you succeed, you’ll end up with a home that will not only endure the years, but will suit you to a T!
She also made sure the home could endure the years. The kids’ bathroom, for example, has been configured to adapt to their needs as they get older. Instead of a bath, she added a large shower and a long vanity with lots of drawers and mirrored storage cabinets.
Michelle said she also learnt to trust her gut instinct during the build and to not let other people’s opinions influence her. “I knew what I wanted,” she says. “you and your family are the ones who will be living in it, not the plumber, not the electrician, not your mother!”
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Michelle said she also learnt to trust her gut instinct during the build and to not let other people’s opinions influence her. “I knew what I wanted,” she says. “you and your family are the ones who will be living in it, not the plumber, not the electrician, not your mother!”
Step inside the rest of this home
2. Don’t overlook the minor details
Jose Barroso and Phoebe Valter are the young couple, who at 23, bought their own traditional weatherboard cottage in Brisbane and built a brand new extension at the rear. Barroso was the principal builder of his home and worked night and day to get the job done.
One of the biggest lessons he and Valter learned was to always consider the smaller details and finishes. “For example, we didn’t choose our concrete colour until four days before the pour, which put a lot of stress on ourselves because the slab is a massive milestone in the build,” says Barroso.
Without a doubt, you may find some of the smaller fittings don’t suit the space, as it’s hard to envisage the final look. To this, Barroso says it’s okay to make minor changes throughout the building process. The couple changed the kitchen cabinets a few times before they were happy with how they complemented the marble on the benchtops.
Jose Barroso and Phoebe Valter are the young couple, who at 23, bought their own traditional weatherboard cottage in Brisbane and built a brand new extension at the rear. Barroso was the principal builder of his home and worked night and day to get the job done.
One of the biggest lessons he and Valter learned was to always consider the smaller details and finishes. “For example, we didn’t choose our concrete colour until four days before the pour, which put a lot of stress on ourselves because the slab is a massive milestone in the build,” says Barroso.
Without a doubt, you may find some of the smaller fittings don’t suit the space, as it’s hard to envisage the final look. To this, Barroso says it’s okay to make minor changes throughout the building process. The couple changed the kitchen cabinets a few times before they were happy with how they complemented the marble on the benchtops.
Barroso also suggests considering landscaping during construction, so the plants have time to mature. “We planted our bamboo screening early so it would be established by project completion,” he says.
Take a tour around the rest of this home
Take a tour around the rest of this home
3. Employ experienced professionals
Sally Walvin is the founder and principal stylist of Creating Style, and her husband John of Walvin Construction is a builder. Together, they have over 20 years experience transforming homes around Queensland. They decided to create their own dream home in Brisbane and used their collective visions gathered throughout the years to design their perfectly-suited abode. “We now have a tailor-built home for our family and the vision I had of styling it has been so incredibly satisfying – we all feel we are finally home!” says Sally.
One of her best suggestions for achieving a happy build is to not become overwhelmed with the decision-making process and that sometimes, stepping away from the project and returning to it later will give you the clarity you need.
Sally Walvin is the founder and principal stylist of Creating Style, and her husband John of Walvin Construction is a builder. Together, they have over 20 years experience transforming homes around Queensland. They decided to create their own dream home in Brisbane and used their collective visions gathered throughout the years to design their perfectly-suited abode. “We now have a tailor-built home for our family and the vision I had of styling it has been so incredibly satisfying – we all feel we are finally home!” says Sally.
One of her best suggestions for achieving a happy build is to not become overwhelmed with the decision-making process and that sometimes, stepping away from the project and returning to it later will give you the clarity you need.
Sally also says that it’s important to have a skilled team working on the project, and to take their advice on board. Luckily, John managed the entire build, so she knew it was in safe hands. Being able to tell the team what you want is also vital, so they aren’t just guessing. “I think doing research is imperative – Houzz is great for inspiration. It means that when the time comes, you’re not scrambling to choose fixtures, flooring and paint colours,” says Sally.
Search our photos for inspiration
Search our photos for inspiration
4. Have patience
Irene and Wayne Veale built this ‘minor dwelling’ on their daughter and son-in-law’s property about a 30-minute drive from Auckland, in New Zealand. The home is built on the site of a former barn and, like the previous couples, Wayne and Irene were able to draw on their skills as a builder and interior designer to complete their home.
Irene learned that one of the most important lessons in completing a new-build is to have patience, especially when your project manager is a perfectionist! “I needed a lot of patience as my husband is a perfectionist and there was a lot that was hand built by him. All of it took time and a lot of work, but these things set the home apart from the normal home build,” says Irene.
Irene and Wayne Veale built this ‘minor dwelling’ on their daughter and son-in-law’s property about a 30-minute drive from Auckland, in New Zealand. The home is built on the site of a former barn and, like the previous couples, Wayne and Irene were able to draw on their skills as a builder and interior designer to complete their home.
Irene learned that one of the most important lessons in completing a new-build is to have patience, especially when your project manager is a perfectionist! “I needed a lot of patience as my husband is a perfectionist and there was a lot that was hand built by him. All of it took time and a lot of work, but these things set the home apart from the normal home build,” says Irene.
While Wayne worked on the infrastructure of the building and the joinery, Irene did the interior fittings and design. Having sourced the lights, door handles and bathroom fittings herself, she advises to always have confidence in what you like. “Interior design rules are made to be broken, you just need to know how,” she says.
5. Don’t take no for an answer
In 2009, Prue and Tom Walstab bought a plot of land in Melbourne to build their ‘20 year home’ on. As they were keen to make it last the years and grow with their young family, it was important that they didn’t have any regrets with the layout or design. “We had a great experience building our house, but I do recommend to others that you don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” says Prue.
In 2009, Prue and Tom Walstab bought a plot of land in Melbourne to build their ‘20 year home’ on. As they were keen to make it last the years and grow with their young family, it was important that they didn’t have any regrets with the layout or design. “We had a great experience building our house, but I do recommend to others that you don’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” says Prue.
“If you have your heart set on something, stick to your guns. We were told many times, ‘It can’t be done’ and ‘That won’t work’ and ‘That won’t look good’. I decided early on in the process that this was my house and I wanted to enjoy every aspect without thinking ‘What if…?’. You pay so much money to build a home, you want to wake up every day happy with your choices. Not unhappy with the choices of others,” Prue advises.
6. Research the materials you use
Interior stylist, professional renovator and blogger of Elements at Home, Kristie Castagna worked on her fourth new-build together with her husband Pete. They have now got the building process down to a fine art and their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Perth reflects this.
One of Kristie’s greatest tips is to manage your expectations when using certain materials, and to research the products you use. For example, she suggests using a water-based enamel for trims if you are using a lot of white, and if they are in darker rooms. “Oil-based enamel can turn yellow without the presence of UV light,” she says. She also advises that concrete floors can also crack. “Don’t expect they won’t, as the sand beneath moves and that is a natural part of the build process,” says Kristie.
Interior stylist, professional renovator and blogger of Elements at Home, Kristie Castagna worked on her fourth new-build together with her husband Pete. They have now got the building process down to a fine art and their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Perth reflects this.
One of Kristie’s greatest tips is to manage your expectations when using certain materials, and to research the products you use. For example, she suggests using a water-based enamel for trims if you are using a lot of white, and if they are in darker rooms. “Oil-based enamel can turn yellow without the presence of UV light,” she says. She also advises that concrete floors can also crack. “Don’t expect they won’t, as the sand beneath moves and that is a natural part of the build process,” says Kristie.
When it comes to the decorating process, Kristie says it’s useful to buy the bigger pieces of furniture after you move in, so that you can “understand your space and how you live in it before you fill it.”
Another product that many homeowners are using is chalkboard paint. Kristie has used it throughout her own home, and advises that it will never be as clean as the day you paint it on your walls.
Look inside the rest of Kristie’s home
Another product that many homeowners are using is chalkboard paint. Kristie has used it throughout her own home, and advises that it will never be as clean as the day you paint it on your walls.
Look inside the rest of Kristie’s home
7. Be a realist
Rachel Nolan is one part of the architectural duo at Kennedy Nolan. After years of building dream homes for her clients, she decided to embark on creating a holiday home for her family on the Mornington Peninsula.
Nolan’s main lesson for building your own home is to build less, in order to maintain quality. “Be sensible with your money – you are better off executing a smaller, quality build rather than ending up with everything you want but built poorly,” she says.
She also suggests that anyone tackling a new-build should be a realist during the build, and always be aware of time and costs. “Get real about what things cost and how long things take to build,” she says. Certain components, including imported items, tend to take longer to be delivered, so always keep lead times in mind. “You do not want to be responsible for stopping progress,” she says.
Rachel Nolan is one part of the architectural duo at Kennedy Nolan. After years of building dream homes for her clients, she decided to embark on creating a holiday home for her family on the Mornington Peninsula.
Nolan’s main lesson for building your own home is to build less, in order to maintain quality. “Be sensible with your money – you are better off executing a smaller, quality build rather than ending up with everything you want but built poorly,” she says.
She also suggests that anyone tackling a new-build should be a realist during the build, and always be aware of time and costs. “Get real about what things cost and how long things take to build,” she says. Certain components, including imported items, tend to take longer to be delivered, so always keep lead times in mind. “You do not want to be responsible for stopping progress,” she says.
One of the remarkable features of Nolan’s property is the paint work. She says that having a good painter work on your home pays off in leaps and bounds. If you are looking to save money on your build, look to the garden. “Don’t be afraid of using tube stock, in a couple of years it will all be grown and you will never know the difference,” she says.
TELL US
Have you built your own home? We would love to know about your experience. Share your own pearls of wisdom in the Comments section.
MORE
You’re Ready to Build … or Are You?
6 Big Decisions to Make When Building or Renovating
5 Things Often Overlooked When Building or Renovating
TELL US
Have you built your own home? We would love to know about your experience. Share your own pearls of wisdom in the Comments section.
MORE
You’re Ready to Build … or Are You?
6 Big Decisions to Make When Building or Renovating
5 Things Often Overlooked When Building or Renovating
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Michelle Hart and her husband David built their home in Melbourne as one of two (the other was sold to a client of David’s). Michelle is an interior designer and David is a builder – skills combined, they created the ideal three-bedroom, three-bathroom family home in Melbourne.
In Michelle’s view, planning is the most important step in achieving a stress-free build. Before the couple began building, they had pre-approved plans ready to go. “This eliminates time and money wasted trying to go back and fix things after building commences, or having to make very quick decisions and settling for things you don’t really love just for the sake of it,” says Michelle.
It was also very important to Michelle and David that they utilised each room to its fullest capacity, and it’s something she recommends to others. “Make sure you have plenty of storage. I deliberately added more storage in dead corners, in the kitchen island bench, in the laundry, and upstairs too,” she says.