As median house prices hit $1 million and construction activity increases, more families are choosing to build from scratch instead of buying established homes.
We’ve all been there. You spend months at open homes, finding problems with each one (weird layouts, dated kitchens, questionable bathroom tiles). Then you find the “perfect” house, and it needs another $100,000 in renovations.
At Begbie Bentham, we’ve dealt with many customers who complain about the same frustrations over and over.
In this article, we’ll explain why Brisbane families are switching to custom builds so that you can make the right choice for your family’s future. You’ll learn:
- Why Brisbane families prefer custom builds over established homes
- The complete building process, from choosing builders to construction
- How custom designs work for different Brisbane block types
- Solutions for challenging blocks, including steep slopes and narrow lots
Let’s explore why building custom makes sense for many Brisbane households.
Why Brisbane Families Are Choosing Custom Builds Over Buying Existing Homes
Many Brisbane families are now turning to custom home building for complete control over their living space, modern features, and long-term value. This is a shift from buying an older home and spending years on renovations, which often does not suit the busy lifestyle of most families today.
The main reason for this trend is that families want to create their dream home with layouts and features that truly fit their everyday life. Instead of adapting to someone else’s design choices, they can plan exactly what they need from day one. The building process focuses on creating the perfect family environment rather than making compromises.
And custom home builders understand this trend completely. When you work with an experienced team, they guide you through every decision and make the entire experience stress-free. Your home gets premium upgrades and quality finishes that would cost a fortune to retrofit in an established property.
Also, custom builds create the perfect long-term family home because everything is planned for growth. You’ll get:
- Bedrooms sized for teenage furniture
- Kitchens designed for family gatherings
- Storage solutions that work
- Energy-efficient appliances and technology that reduce bills
The quality of a new house means families won’t face expensive repairs for years. Everything from plumbing to electrical work meets current standards, giving families confidence about their investment.
Now that you understand why Brisbane families are choosing custom builds over established homes, the actual building journey becomes the next consideration. The building process might seem overwhelming at first, but the right approach makes it surprisingly manageable.
Read Also: How to Prevent Plumbing Problems in Older Homes
Getting Started with Your Custom Build
Thinking about building your own home, but worried about where to start? In this section, we’ll cover the entire process from finding the right builder to moving into your finished home.
Building a custom home involves several stages, but each one brings you closer to your perfect home. When you work with an expert team, it makes the whole building journey much smoother than most families expect.
Here are two initial stages that give you a strong start to your custom building dream:
Finding the Right Partner for Your Build
The first step to building your dream home is to choose the right builders. Not all builders are the same, and finding a custom builder with an experienced team determines whether you get quality service or face constant delays and budget blowouts.
So, start by looking at their existing plans to see if their style matches your vision. A good builder will offer flexible designs that can adapt to your family’s specific needs.
They should also have a track record of completing projects on time and within budget. Most importantly, they need to communicate clearly about costs upfront so you won’t face surprise expenses later.
Pro Tip: Visit the builder’s display home to see their work in person and get the feel of the quality. You can also check out their past projects online and read reviews on forums like Reddit and Quora.
Basic Stages in Your Building Journey
Once you have chosen your builder, the first stage is a design meeting. Here you will share your vision and budget. For example, if you want four bedrooms and a study, the team can show different ways to arrange these spaces, like separating the master suite from the kids’ bedrooms.
We recommend bringing photos of rooms you love and a list of must-have features to this first meeting. The more specific you are about your needs, the better your builder can design around them.
After the design gets finalised, the team handles all the approvals and gets the site ready for construction. They may need to get permissions like development applications and building permits from Brisbane City Council.
It may sound complicated, but don’t worry about the paperwork side of things. Your builder will deal with the council requirements and engineering reports like they’re second nature.
The best part is that throughout the construction, you’ll have a project manager keeping you updated, so you always know your new home is on track. You won’t have to wonder if your house is being built or if the construction crew is just having long coffee breaks.
Since you now understand the building process from start to finish, it’s time to focus on matching your home design to your specific block of land. Each Brisbane block comes with its own challenges and opportunities that affect your final home design.
Custom Designs for Every Brisbane Block
A custom build lets you make the most of your land, whether it’s a small city block in Brisbane or a sprawling acreage home in South East Queensland. Yes, you heard that right!
The best thing about custom home build projects is that every family home gets designed specifically for its block rather than forcing a standard design onto unsuitable land. And if you choose a good design, it gives every block the chance to create something special that works perfectly for your family’s lifestyle.
Let’s see how different block types offer unique opportunities:
Designing for Double Storey and Acreage Lots
Suppose you have a narrow block or need extra space for a growing family. No matter what size land you’re working with, double-storey home designs and acreage home designs offer solutions for every type of block.
Here’s how each approach maximises your land’s potential:
- Double-storey home designs: If you have a small block in suburbs like Paddington or New Farm, then double-storey designs are a great way to maximise your living spaces and outdoor areas. You stack bedrooms upstairs and keep living areas downstairs, which frees up yard space. This gives you more floor space while keeping room for a decent backyard and entertaining area.
- Acreage home designs: Have a large rural block outside Brisbane? Then, acreage home designs work best for you. These homes are spread out across single levels and give you the space to enjoy that rural lifestyle. Wide verandas, multiple outdoor entertaining areas, and room for sheds or pools become realistic options without feeling cramped.
Both design types focus on making the most of your specific block’s advantages. The only challenge is deciding whether you want stairs for exercise or prefer to keep everything on one level, like a fancy resort.
Working with Challenging Blocks
We know that not every block in Brisbane comes perfectly flat and ready to build. But with the right approach, even challenging blocks can become the site of your dream home.
An experienced team knows how to make steep slopes, narrow blocks, or odd shapes work as design advantages without major issues. So you don’t need to spend extra money trying to flatten or reshape your land before building.
Your custom builder works with the land and finds creative solutions that save you money. You’ll be amazed to see that blocks with steep slopes become split-level homes with great views, while narrow blocks get clever designs that feel much larger inside.
All you need is to work with what you have instead of trying to force your new house into a standard template.
One of our clients shared that their steep block seemed impossible until the designer showed them how to create different living levels that felt like separate outdoor rooms. Their new house ended up with three distinct entertainment zones and views across Brisbane that their neighbours still envy. Within six months, it became the go-to spot for family gatherings.
The thing is, every challenging block has hidden potential that good design can unlock. You just have to work with professionals who see opportunities where others see problems.
Your Family’s Future Home Awaits
Brisbane families no longer need to settle for someone else’s design choices or spend years renovating outdated homes. Custom building offers complete control over your living environment, modern functionality, and long-term value that established properties simply can’t match.
In this article, we’ve explored why Brisbane families are choosing custom builds over established homes and the complete building process from finding builders to construction. You’ve also learned how custom designs work for every Brisbane block type, including challenging lots.
When you’re ready to create your perfect family home, we will be there to help you bring that vision to life.
