So, You Have Your Concept Plans – What’s Next?
Congratulations! You’ve reached an exciting milestone in your custom home journey—the concept plans are in your hands. These plans lay the foundation for the home of your dreams, but what comes next? To move forward with your fixed-price quote, your builder needs you to make a range of decisions and selections. Providing these details early is crucial. Without them, your builder may need to include a provisional sum in the quote—a placeholder estimate for items or services that haven't been fully specified yet. The downside of provisional sums is that they can lead to cost variations later, as the final price will depend on the actual cost of your selections. By making clear decisions upfront, you’ll ensure your quote is accurate and minimise the risk of budget surprises down the track.
To help guide you through this process, here’s a checklist of decisions and selections you’ll need to consider to keep your build moving forward smoothly.
1. External Selections
- Roofing: Material (colorbond, tile), colour, and profile.
- Cladding: Type (brick, render, timber, or cladding panels) and finish.
- Windows & Doors: Frame material (aluminium, timber), glazing type, and colour.
Local Suppliers to Visit:
- Bowens Phillip Island– Roofing, cladding – www.bowens.com.au
- Mitre 10 Inverloch– Roofing Cladding – www.mitre10.com.au
- EuroTech Windows - Specialising in Aluplast uPVC, double glazed and triple glazed windows and doors– www.eurotech.net.au
- Thermotek- Energy efficient uPVC windows and doors -https://thermotekwindows.com.au
2. Interior Finishes
- Flooring: Timber, tiles, vinyl planks, or carpet?
- Wall and Ceiling Paint: Colour schemes and finish (matte, semi-gloss, gloss).
- Joinery: Cabinetry finishes for your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry.
Local Suppliers to Visit:
- Haymes Paints – Paint specialists – www.haymespaint.com.au
- Floorworld - bamboo, laminate, carpets, timber, hybrid and vinyl flooring. – www.floorworld.com.au
- South Coast Kitchens - experienced, high quality and creative team of joiners, cabinet makers and design experts based on Phillip Island- Display Room by appointment – www.southcoastkitchens.com.au
3. Kitchen and Bathroom
- Cabinetry: Material, door style, and handle types.
- Benchtops: Stone, laminate, timber, or stainless steel?
- Tapware: Styles, finishes, and technology (water-saving features).
- Appliances: Brands and models for ovens, dishwashers, and cooktops.
- Bathroom: Selection of basins, showers, baths, and vanities.
Local Suppliers to Visit:
- Reece Bathrooms – Display Centre – fixtures and fittings – www.reece.com.au
- Highgrove Bathrooms – Display Centre– www.highgrovebathrooms.com.au
- Beaumont Tiles - Explore tiles for kitchens and bathrooms – www.beaumont-tiles.com.au
- Mitre 10 Inverloch – Display Centre for Bathroom fittings and fixtures – www.mitre10.com.au
4. Electrical & Lighting
- Lighting Layout: Number of lights, types (LED, pendant, downlights).
- Switches & Power Points: Consider their placement for everyday use.
- Smart Home Technology: Integration of automation systems for lighting, heating, and security.
Local Suppliers to Visit:
- Beacon Lighting - Showroom Phillip Island – www.beaconlighting.com.au
- Lightique – Showroom Wonthaggi and Phillip Island – www.lightique.com.au
Custom Features
If your home has any custom features, such as a fireplace, home office, or media room, you'll need to finalise these plans early to ensure they are included in the fixed-price quote.
By finalising these selections as early as possible, you’ll avoid the pitfalls of provisional sums and ensure that your builder can give you a reliable, fixed-price quote. Your choices will also ensure that the construction process stays on track, and you’ll have fewer unexpected expenses down the road. If you’re ready to take the next step, start exploring local suppliers in Wonthaggi and Phillip Island to make your selections. Need help? Hycon Homes is here to guide you through each decision to build the high-performance home of your dreams.