As time passes and your lifestyle changes, the home you are living in starts to outgrow you and your family’s needs. A knockdown rebuild Brisbane provides you with the opportunity to create your dream home while staying in the location you love
One of the crucial design decisions facing many new home buyers in Brisbane is whether to build a single or double-storey house. It may seem like a straightforward decision now, but those thinking into the future need to plan for their family’s needs in years to come.
The knockdown rebuild approach is a strategy for homeowners who want to increase the size, layout, and features of their home without having to move.
This option is perfect for those who want to stay in the same neighbourhood but want something bigger or with more features. The process starts by knocking down your current home and then rebuilding a new one in its place.
With this option, you get the best of both worlds: a custom-built home in an established neighbourhood that meets your needs perfectly.
When looking for a new house, there are many factors to consider. Especially when you take into account the location, the house design and the room configuration and aesthetic. It might be difficult to know what you need and what you can live without when there are so many different house designs to choose from. Every family has its own set of unique needs, and for many, their ideal home may be a custom-built home to their specific requirements.
This was certainly the experience for one of our clients in South East Brisbane. They spent a long time looking for a home to buy in their ideal suburb. There were plenty of older style homes on the market at the time, but they couldn’t seem to find a modern home that suited their requirements and taste. Sustainable design and an abundance of natural light – both inside the home and in the outdoor entertaining areas – were key features of their ideal design.
They realised that to achieve the perfect home, they needed to select a block of land they loved and demolish an old house in order to build their own custom designed home.
Generally, a knockdown rebuild is more affordable than renovating an old house, as structural changes cannot usually be made and old utilities such as sewer, water and electricity are not necessarily replaced in a renovation.
Making the decision to undertake a knockdown rebuild with Leafe Designer Homes gave our clients a fresh perspective when looking at homes. The family found the right sized block of land in a location that suited them. They teamed up with Leafe Designer Homes to design and build a custom home that included space for everyone, as well as unique features that made the house perfect for their lifestyle.
To learn more about building a custom designed home in Brisbane’s South East Suburbs, visit our Knock Down Rebuild page.
Want to work with the Leafe Designer Homes to design and plan your custom designer home? We build throughout Brisbane, Brisbane South Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands and Cleveland.
Discover more about Leafe Designer Homes and our experience in custom home builds here. If you’d like to discuss some of your ideas with us, please get in touch with Ryan Leafe today!
Anyone starting out on their home building journey will eventually have to decide whether to build a custom home or a pre-designed project home. Our clients have all had their own unique building experiences, leading them to the decision of building a custom designed home for a variety of reasons. These are five of the most frequently mentioned reasons why building a bespoke home with a custom home builder Brisbane is the preferred approach.
The Hamptons style design trend is extremely popular for new custom built homes in Queensland. Thanks to its timeless blend of coastal luxury, beachy tones and sophisticated use of timber, it looks like the trend is here to stay!
Inspired by the exclusive American beachside suburbs of the same name, the look is bright and breezy, with plenty of natural light creating an effortless coastal vibe. Cool, classic, and refined designs blend rustic, informal beach style to define Hamptons style. Chic blues, off-whites, wooden floors and panelled walls are just a few of the ways to design your new home as a resort-style retreat.
When looking for a custom home builder in Brisbane, you don’t have to say goodbye to the block of land in your neighbourhood that you love! This block might be where you’ve lived for the past 10 years, or perhaps you’re looking to build your custom designed home on a block that already has a dwelling. You can say goodbye to the outdated finishes and floor plan by knocking down the existing house and building your new custom home to suit your lifestyle and preferences in a knockdown rebuild Brisbane!
Knockdown rebuilds are becoming increasingly popular for old houses which would require more renovation work than they’re worth. Knockdown rebuilds in Brisbane are the more cost-effective choice.
While building a home from scratch may seem a little daunting and renovations could appear less intimidating, they can carry an increased risk for unforeseen costs and construction problems. Buildxact’s Residential Construction Activity Report confirms that new builds are more popular than renovations.
When considering a knockdown rebuild, you may have put it off due to worrying about the cost and hidden fees – but you can rest assured that Leafe Designer Homes has got you covered! We provide fixed price construction costs with no hidden fees and no surprise extras.
The costs involved in a knockdown rebuild are dependent on the size of your current house and the size of your new home. There are three potential types of costs to consider when making your decision.
Obviously, your first step will be knocking down your old house and clearing the land for your rebuild. As a general guide, the cost of demolition can start from around $19,000 but can vary according to the size and style of the property, the foundation, accessibility and the presence of potentially hazardous materials. With so many factors it’s easy to see how the price can vary.
Once the land is clear and prepared for the build, it’s time to begin the rebuilding process. The price for a rebuild is impacted by a range of factors including the size of the home, the materials used in the process, the overall design and the fittings. All of these costs will be worked out at during the preliminary design of your home with your custom home builder Brisbane, Leafe Designer Homes. We only use the highest quality materials, which are locally sourced where possible and have a hand-picked team of highly experienced draftsmen, builders, tradesmen, and interior designers who are all dedicated to excellence in their field.
The third and final consideration is the potentially hidden costs that you should keep in mind when working out your budget. Some of the more common costs that may come up include the charges from the power company to disconnect and reconnect the electricity and gas, additional costs to make the soil stable for building and also the cost of re-installing any pre-existing solar panels you may have had. At Leafe Designer Homes we have extensive knowledge of all these factors and can detail a specific list for your knockdown rebuild Brisbane.
While there are many cost considerations for a knockdown rebuild Brisbane, there are also many costs you will be saving on! When comparing the costs of purchasing an existing home, there are savings to building yourself. Without the real estate agent fees and stamp duty, you’re looking at saving yourself tens of thousands of dollars. You’re also saving on maintenance as you will have a low-maintenance build for years moving forward. Not to mention there are clear benefits to rebuilding your home when it comes to the added value you’ve invested into your property.
If you’re thinking about building a custom home and would like some inspiration, check out our portfolio to see our latest projects. Leafe Designer Homes completes custom home builds across Brisbane, Brisbane Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands, Thornlands, Victoria Point, Wellington Point, Birkdale, Logan City area and Cleveland.
Wanting to know more about Leafe Designer Homes? Discover more about our experience in custom home builds here. If you’d like to discuss some of your ideas with us, please get in touch with Ryan Leafe today!
Everyone has felt the impacts of Covid-19, including the residential building sector. With people spending less time exploring the world and more time within their homes, the common demands from clients have shifted to accommodate a more live-in focus. Buildxact’s Residential Construction Activity Report recently identified a strong demand for custom-built home projects and renovations. But this really comes as no surprise.
The cookie cutter homes no longer cut it! People are more conscious of the space and style they want to live in, and are after custom designs that suit their specific needs and wants. The home is no longer a place to just sleep and eat, but a place to work, exercise and socialise. So ensuring that the spaces we dwell in are capable of accommodating to all these needs is crucial. As everyone is becoming more conscious of how they utilise their current spaces, they are also becoming more aware of how they would like to use their homes. This could mean bigger bedroom sizes, more space in the kitchen or even the addition of a multi-purpose home office space to suit an individuals lifestyle.
This ‘awakening’ of individuals desires when it comes to their homes, couldn’t have come at a better time. With many people unable to spend money on overseas trips, they can invest in building their dream homes in Queensland. And it’s not just Queenslanders that are looking to build custom homes in Queensland, but also an influx of people re-locating to the sunshine state from surrounding areas and states. Areas throughout Brisbane, Brisbane Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands and Cleveland are seeing an increase in custom home builds with all the features a home-owner would require in the ever-changing landscape COVID has created.
With COVID not only opening more opportunities for individuals to work and attend school from home, but also occasionally requiring this; the need for home offices and flexible work environments has increased. This has seen a rise in the purchase of acreage and waterfront properties as the ability to work from home has allowed people to live further from the city and build custom designs on their desired blocks.
Custom home designs post-covid have a strong focus on unique designs, natural light, open living and great outdoor spaces. Custom homes allow home-owners the ability to utilise their space how they see fit, for any purpose they require. For those with children returning home to reside with family or with children who are doing online studies, homes are hives of constant activity which can result in a lot of noise and the need for peace and quiet. A new custom home can make use of a high quality build with the opportunity to design spaces that suit every household member. Having a home that can accommodate everyone’s needs and provide a space for all to enjoy is essential, and it what makes a custom home such a great choice.
If you are looking at a custom homes and would like some inspiration, check out our portfolio of Leafe Designer Homes built throughout Brisbane, Brisbane Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands and Cleveland.
Wanting to know more about Leafe Designer Homes? Discover more about our experience in custom home builds here. If you would like to discuss some of your ideas with us, get in contact!
So you’ve bought an acreage block to live closer to nature, but how do you build a home that’s sustainable and at one with nature? Eco-friendly homes are growing in demand as people are becoming more conscious of impacts to the environment.
The benefit of building a custom home is that it can be as eco-friendly as you desire. Your builder can work with you to create an eco-friendly acreage build without compromising on design. Acreage blocks are the best for eco-friendly builds as they can utilise everything nature has to offer and incorporate it into the design.
Acreage homes are not constrained by narrow blocks, so your build can be completely open to the landscape. There are a few design elements to a custom home that can enhance it’s eco-friendly and sustainable impact.
There are some great inclusions you can incorporate into your build to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. These include double glazed windows, low VOC paints, high-grade insulation, ceiling fans and efficient water fixtures. Ceiling fans are great in summer to keep the home cool and what many people may not know is that they are also great in winter. In the colder months, ceiling fans push down hot air gathering near the ceilings to keep you warm.
The Slow Design Movement considers custom home builds that suit the lives of multi-generational families. Designing a home that can work and last over many generations is a big focus for slow design.
Sustainable features that can help with this begins with the home’s position. On an acreage block, building high on the land can utilise the wind that brings a welcoming cool breeze in summer. Reduce electricity consumption with the design of the roof. The roof angle design can optimise solar panel effectiveness.
A great way to naturally limit heat and protection from rain is through wide eaves. The eaves are great at keeping the home shaded in the hot summer sun and allow windows to be left open when it rains.
Recycled materials are a great way to build sustainably, whether it’s sourcing bricks from a skip, or timber from a salvage yard.
If you already have a home on your acreage block and are looking to renovate, it’s a great opportunity to reuse material. While the material will need reworking, it is a wonderful way to build an eco-friendly home. Using recycled material also brings with it wonderful character and charm to your home.
If you are after an eco-friendly, sustainable home, then a custom designed home is perfect for you.
At Leafe Designer Homes, we take into account the land size, the slope, views, solar orientation and the prevailing breezes when building your custom home. We have already seen a rise in popularity for acreage blocks and custom homes in the following areas:
If you want to build your dream eco-friendly acreage home in Brisbane, Brisbane South Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands or Cleveland, get in contact with us here.
Building and living on acreage brings the benefits of peace and quiet, fresh air as well as proximity to nature. At Leafe Designer Homes, we are experienced in building custom acreage homes, and have put together some helpful tips anyone looking to build their dream acreage home. To make the acreage custom home experience enjoyable, it’s useful to consider service access, bushfire zones, wind ratings and building orientation.
One helpful thing to consider with acreage building is access to services. It’s good to find out whether your land has access to power, water and sewerage. Depending on your location, your options might include water tanks, septic system and home LPG gas bottles. It’s also a good idea to check for phone and NBN service connections to your acreage build. It’s always great to investigate these things early on to avoid surprises.
Building a custom home close to nature brings so many great benefits to rural dwellers. One thing to consider is the exposure to natural elements. This includes Bushfires and Wind. It’s good to identify early if your acreage block is located in a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA). If you are building a custom home in these areas, your build may need special management and specifications. This includes fireproofing materials like fire-rated glass, metal and timbers.
Another element to look out for is wind. If your plan is to build a custom acreage home that’s located in higher altitude, on a ridge or in an exposed area, this is something to consider. These areas may be subject to a higher wind rating, meaning additional measures to strengthen your custom build.
One of the great things about building a custom home is the ability to create a home that takes advantage of the block it’s build on.
When building a home from scratch, you can carefully select your floorplan to optimize on your views. Being able to spend time on the block to note where the sun falls throughout the day can help design a home that takes advantage of this. Everything from window placement to entertainment areas can be custom built to showcase the best an acreage block can offer.
It’s important to select a company that has experience with building acreage homes, who can help guide you in designing a home that works harmoniously with your spacious block. Having a builder that has experience in the special conditions acreage blocks require is equally important and can give you piece of mind.
At Leafe Designer Homes, we take into account the land size, the slope, views, solar orientation and the prevailing breezes when building your custom home. We have already seen a rise in popularity for acreage blocks and custom homes in the following areas:
If you want to build your dream custom acreage home in Brisbane, Brisbane South Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands or Cleveland, get in contact with us here.
So you’re looking at building a custom home? The next step is to choose the builder who will take your great ideas and turn them into a reality. There are 6 key factors you can think about when finding a builder who can turn your dream custom home into reality.
There are many design and construction considerations that affect custom home project costs, and it’s good to know about them early to avoid problems later. Choosing a builder that has fixed pricing, and provides full transparency is key.
At Leafe Designer Homes, we give our clients piece of mind by having fixed pricing construction costs. We provide you with a copy of all receipts and price supporting documents for the selections you have made. This allows you to see how your money has been spent. We also provide you with our pricing so you know there is no double dipping on the gap between trade and retail price.
One of the key factors when choosing a custom home builder is the quality of workmanship. The quality of the build and skill of the builder can be seen through building material choice and the interior products e.g. outfitted with brands that you know and trust?
Great custom built homes will have quality craftsmanship, attention for detail and immaculate finishes. It’s always beneficial to see portfolios or examples of the builder’s prior work. This will help ascertain whether they are capable of building you a well-designed home.
At Leafe, we have an eye for detail and a perfectionist nature. We use high-quality materials, ensure high-quality finishes and are diligent in our workmanship. We also have a portfolio of our prior work to showcase the quality of our custom homes.
The flexibility of a custom home is hard to beat and working with a builder that suits your style and preferences is key. At Leafe we believe it’s important to give you the freedom to live your way. We believe you and your family deserves the best, and there is no better way to get the home of your dreams than to design it yourself. The design, colours, appliances, and extras are all up to you; it’s your home after all!
Most builders have areas where their pricing is most competitive, so it’s helpful to choose a builder that has experience building in your proposed area. At Leafe, we are experts in building custom homes throughout Brisbane, Brisbane Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands and Cleveland. If you are looking to build a custom home in these areas, contact us to find out how we can help.
While jumping straight into designing and building your home is exciting, don’t forget the land you are building on. A good builder will be able to help you select a design that will work with your specific land shape or size.
At Leafe, our custom homes are designed to sit perfectly on their block; we have never come across a site too challenging or one where we haven’t been able to achieve an exceptional outcome.
Building your dream home is one of the biggest and exciting investments of your life. In this process it’s helpful to find a builder who can provide support throughout the build, giving you reassurance and ease of mind.
Finding a builder that delivers quality service through onsite meetings, consultations and progress reports will help build trust during your home build experience. The key to your custom home journey boils down to having a dedicated team committed to a collaborative process, supporting homeowners every step of the way.
At Leafe Designer Homes, we are happy to do regular onsite meet ups during business hours. Call us at any point through the construction, and we’ll organise to meet you onsite for a walk around and Q&A session. With regular building reports and updates you’ll never have to wonder about what is happening with your build. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with Ryan Leafe, our company director who personally consults on all new builds.
If you want to build your dream custom home in Brisbane, Brisbane South Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands or Cleveland call Ryan Leafe on 07 3488 0055 get in contact with us here.
Not sure where to start when thinking of building your next home? It can be overwhelming when researching your options. Choosing between a custom design or a project home off a plan can be one of the first and most important choices you make!
Custom Home Builders are typically smaller businesses with dedicated builders and designers assigned to each project. This means you receive one-on-one attention from the very beginning and attentive support throughout the process. A custom home builder will take the time to listen to your needs and wants for your new home and work alongside an architect to design a unique floorplan just for you. This can then be modified and tweaked until it is exactly right. As they normally take on fewer clients per year, you will work closely with the same builder throughout the entire process keeping communication easy and open. Although this may seem like a hard task – you can click here to look at some of our previous projects for inspiration!
When working with a project home provider, you will normally be guided to a library of existing floorplans and asked to choose. These are normally priced upfront with a standard range of inclusions so you may be able to get a price estimate earlier in the process. However, any changes to the floorplan, fixtures and fittings will incur additional fees which may cause the project to cost more than originally planned.
Here at Leafe – we would always recommend a custom home! We believe you and your family deserves the best, and there is no better way to get the home of your dreams than to design it yourself. The flexibility that custom allows is hard to beat, and we work with you throughout the whole process so you don’t need to be an expert to build your house in this way. Choose premium fittings for the places that are important to you, and shop in whatever stores you like!
If you have any other questions about building custom, just let us know! Get in touch for a no obligation conversation about our process and how it could work for you.
If you want to build your dream custom home in Brisbane, Brisbane South Eastern Suburbs, Brisbane Southern Suburbs, the Redlands or Cleveland call Ryan Leafe on 07 3488 0055 get in contact with us here.
07 3488 0055