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.

Access to Services from Acreage Blocks:

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.

Bushfire Zones & Wind Ratings:

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.

Build Orientation:

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.

Importance of Selecting a Good Acreage Builder:

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:

• Bayridge, Redland Bay
• Greenway, Hemmant
• Summit, Hemmant
• Meridian, Wakerly
• Parc, Carindale
• Parc, Thornlands
• Venn Park, Thornlands
• Shoreline, Redland Bay

If you want to build your dream custom acreage home in Brisbane, Brisbane 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.

Price, budget and builder transparency

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.

2. Quality of custom home

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.

3. Home styles, preferences and flexibility

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!

4. Builder location

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.

5. Know the block your building on

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.

6. Client support

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.

Find out just how exciting and enjoyable building your custom designed home in Brisbane can be.  Contact your custom home building specialists at Leafe Designer Homes today on 07 3488 0055 or email info@leafe.com.au.

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 & Project: What’s the difference?

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.

What would we choose?

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.

Have you ever heard of the term “PRICE BUILDING”?

Probably not, because as a client of some building companies you have possibly been a victim of it. When you walk into a display house and ask the sales representative how much it costs, you will be given a base price for that house. Now’s the good bit. The house you are shown may not be exactly what is included in the base price. In fact it is probably several hundred thousand dollars dearer.

I spoke to a potential client recently who’s original quote actually doubled when the required changes were made. The builder “price built’ the quote when the changes were made. One of the changes that caught the client’s attention was an eighteen thousand dollar increase in price when they changed the style of stairs. What some builders do is get you to pay a deposit on a house design that is deliberately under specified knowing that they will make a lot of money on the changes you will have to make the house what you actually want.  

What should you look out for?

Well the list is long but here are some of the obvious ones: 

1. The slab. Many builders quote on an M class slab which is very often not adequate for the soil and site type, so will have to be upgraded to a higher strength. 
2. Electrical. Providing one light fitting and power point to each room.  
3. Any build over sewer or stormwater changes can add up to $20,000 to a job. 
4. Cabinetry. A large expense in any house build. This is often given as an allowance rather that quoted amount knowing that there will be substantial changes driving the price up and up. 

All of the above items are considered variations from the original quote. How are variations dealt with? Variations are usually charged as a cost plus. Where some builders will catch you is the definition of a variation. If you change four cupboard sizes in your kitchen is this one item or four items? Is there a minimum variation charge e.g. $1000 per variation regardless of the size or cost of the variation. In this scenario it is possible that you could pay over $1000 to change the size of a cupboard door.  

To conclude, know what you’re looking at when you walk into a display home. Know that with some builders the person that signs you up will not be the person who deals with the building process so there can be some disconnect between the contract and the build process and the loose could be you.

Working with your custom home builder Redlands is a great way to build an energy efficient home that reduces overall energy consumption and helps you save money on utility bills when you live in the home.

There are many ways to reduce your energy consumption at home, but a big part of doing this comes down to the design of the home and how you implement certain features to reduce energy usage overall.

1. Place External Openings in the Right Areas

When the weather is nice, one of the best ways to reduce your reliance on running your AC system is to open up your windows, doors, and other external openings. Your custom home builder Redlands can help you place these external openings in the right locations to maximise exposure for cross breezes, which can be a big help when it comes to reducing your cooling expenses in the summer.

2. Orient Living Spaces to Face North

You should try and orient your living spaces north to reduce sun exposure during peak times of the day. This also lets the winter sun provide as much sunlight in your main living spaces during day, so you can use your heater less. On top of this, you may want to consider adding shading devices, like eaves, to cover the windows that receive direct sun exposure during the summer season.

3. Avoid Openings in High-Use Areas

Any custom home builder Redlands will tell you that you should avoid large openings, like windows and sliding glass doors, in spaces on the western side of your home. If you have large windows on the western side of your home, for example, the afternoon summer sun will quickly heat up these rooms, putting more pressure on your AC system to keep things cool.

4. Implement Ceiling Fans

Turning on a ceiling fan in the summer can make a huge difference when it comes to staying cool and reducing your reliance on your AC system. Ceiling fans can also help you circulate warm air in your living spaces when you set them on reverse during the wintertime. Ask your custom home builder Redlands to include wiring for ceiling fans and depending on your home design plan, to add ceiling fans in main living areas as well as all the bedrooms. 

5. Add Enough Insulation

Insulation essentially holds the heated and cooled air in your home and minimises how quickly it is released to the outdoors. As you review your home design and building plans, find out how much insulation will be added to your new home. You should also look into the R-value and make sure your home will have adequate insulation not only between your walls, but in your attic and garage. 

There are also many different kinds of insulation that can benefit your home. Ask your builder about whether they prefer cellulose insulation, blow-in insulation, or another type and why they use that type when it comes to making homes more energy efficient. 

6. Consider All Utilities

Your custom home builder Redlands may focus on reducing your home’s reliance on electricity in all seasons. However, you should also consider implementing features that reduce consumption of other utilities, like water and gas. For example, you may ask your builder about installing low-flow toilets that use less water or a tankless water heater, so your family always has hot water on demand without wasting energy.

Consulting with your custom home builder Redlands early on can help you boost your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your reliance on different resources. The best part is that taking measures to reduce energy consumption can help you save money while also preserving your comfort.

Building home by the bay can be a dream come true for many people. Perhaps you are building your retirement home, or maybe you are moving closer to the water for a new job. Or, you may be building a family home. Whatever your situation, finding the right Shoreline Redlands home builder is essential in making your dream a reality. You want to find a builder who you can trust to do a good job and who encourages open communication with the client.

It can be overwhelming to try to choose a builder to take on a project this important, but it does not have to be.

When you consider these tips for choosing the right building team, you can sit back and watch your dream come to life.

1. Look at Past Projects

It can be beneficial to search for a builder who has done other projects in your area. That way, he or she likely knows about building codes and regulations in Shoreline Redlands. You can ask to see pictures of completed projects, and if you are lucky, you might be able to go visit some of the sites in-person. This can give you valuable insight into the craftsmanship that the builders put into a project, and it may even give you ideas for your own home. 

2. Choose Someone Who Is Accessible

When building a home, it can be very frustrating to not be able to contact your builder. You may have simple questions that you need answers to, and you should be able to depend on a good relationship with the builder. Before signing onto any contracts, ask how you can reach the builders. Ask if you are able to communicate with them throughout the project, and find out if they will give you updates often. You can ask other people in the area who have had homes built by that company if communication was easy. It can be very rewarding to be able to bounce ideas off of your builder throughout the project. 

3. Read Client Reviews

Before discussing your project with a builder, consider reading client reviews about them. The Internet is an invaluable source for this type of research. You can also ask others in the community what their experience with a certain builder was like. This can help you get a feel of how the experience will go before you sign on to a project. Keep an open mind, though, and do not be afraid to meet with the contractor yourself to form your own opinions.

4. Ask for a Projected Completion Date

You may need your home completed by a certain date if you have to move out of your current in a specific timeframe. Therefore, it is essential that you ask any potential builders for a projected completion date. This gives you an idea of if the project can reasonably be done in the timeframe you desire. On the other hand, do not always assume that the faster builder is the best builder. Sometimes quality over quantity is more important, and this is one of those times.

Finding the right home builder is important in any situation, but it is especially important when you are looking for a Shoreline Redlands home builder. When you keep these tips in mind, you can more effectively choose the right builder for your project. Enjoy the process of building and keep imagining the feeling you will have when you walk into your completed for the first time. The road may be long and full of surprises, but that feeling alone will make it worthwhile. Start researching today to find the best builder for you.

Having a new house constructed is very exciting and can allow you to add personal touches during the design process. Choosing flooring, cabinets and countertops will help you be more involved in a custom build. However, even with these choices you still may not feel totally attached to the house as soon as you move in.

Transitioning to something new is always an evolutionary process and it may take some time to get completely comfortable.

Here are some ideas to quickly make custom homes in Brisbane feel more welcoming.

Window Coverings 

Bare windows can make a house feel cold and open. Add blinds or shades to add some privacy when it is needed. If possible, have windows measured before closing so installation can happen as soon as you move in. Hang curtains for immediate warmth and splash of colour. 

Organisation 

Nothing can make you feel more unfamiliar than not knowing where things are that you need. Unpacking may not happen in a day, but start with putting commonly used items in their place. Being organised will also make you feel better about relaxing and truly enjoying your new space. 

Furniture 

Sparsely furnished rooms can feel uninviting and cold. Furniture will give a home that more lived-in look. Even if you brought items from your old home, consider picking up a few new pieces as well. This can be as simple as a cozy chair, some new scatter cushions or an accent table. 

Paint 

Solid white walls make for a clean look but the sterile feel may not appeal to everyone. Painting is a relatively quick and inexpensive way to add color and personalise your home. Wall coverings and wood accents are another alternative to paint. 

Decorations 

Thinking about paint colors makes a good time to consider accent pieces and overall decor themes. This may be bedding sets for the bedroom, pillows and rugs in the living room, or artwork throughout the house. 

Personal Items 

There is no better way to make you attached to your home than by literally seeing yourself in it. Add photos of your family and loved ones. Hang mementos or other personal items from your old house. Soon you will feel more at ease with your new environment. 

Warmth 

Use lighting to add warmth in areas that may feel too harsh. Rugs and throw pillows will absorb sound and soften the feel of a room. Candles or other fragrances will appeal to your senses and provide calm and comfort. 

Outdoor Spaces 

Don’t forget about giving some attention to the outside of your home. Add some chairs to the front porch where you can kick back with a cool drink. Make a sitting area on the patio to provide yet another place to unwind. Add plants and landscaping for a personalised element of nature. 

Family 

Bring your family together by involving them in the process. Whether it’s shopping for decorations or painting a room, having everyone part of it ensures that each person starts getting attached to the new surroundings. Also invite extended family over to visit or test out the new kitchen. Telling stories around the dining room table will make it feel like your home in no time at all. 

Gatherings 

Finally, invite friends over to see your new place. Being social is a great way to fill your home with laughter and a sense of belonging. Not to mention it will give you a great excuse to stop unpacking and slow down to absorb your hard work. 

It may not be possible – or necessary – to tackle all of these items the first week you move in. Don’t overwhelm yourself with doing everything at once. Enjoy the process of gradually turning your dream house into a beautiful home.

Have you been thinking about working with Leafe Designer Homes for a new custom home?

Designer homes in Brisbane allow you freedom, flexibility, and control over what features you can have, how your house can fit your lifestyle, and even what can be accomplished while staying within your budget range.

The key to your journey boils down to having a dedicated team committed to a collaborative process, supporting homeowners every step of the way.

Let’s consider how that process works.

The First Meeting

A custom build must start somewhere, and for Leafe Designer Homes, that meeting takes place on site whether the land is cleared or you are doing a knock down and rebuild. Without an initial meeting at the property, you may run into complications down the road. It’s best to look over the land to see if any issues may impact construction. This meeting is also when homeowners can discuss their wish list and preliminary budget.

Begin With Your Furnishings

The easiest place to start when creating a modern industrial look is to add furnishings with the qualities you find appealing. For instance, if you are drawn to the cool, gray metallic features, swap out a current bookshelf for one that is constructed of metal and wood, replace your table with a metal one or change out your lights and floor lamps. You might consider starting with one room in the house. Experiment with that room. You can begin with the area you like the least now or the smallest room in the house, such as a bathroom, or the place that gets the most traffic. Regardless of your approach, starting with one space gives you the freedom to explore until you discover the vibe you want to create. Once you are satisfied with the look and feel you have created, move on to the next space.

Enter the Draftsman

After the homeowners sign the initial agreement, a draftsman who is part of the company’s team meets with you to go over details and make suggestions. This is an information gathering session to give homeowners a chance to consider the design elements they want or have not yet thought about with the person who can tailor plans to fit those elements. After this discussion, the homeowners can meet with the draftsman as often as they like throughout the building process to finalize plans, get updates, or review any changes.

A Plan of Action

From the draftsman meeting with homeowners comes the preliminary plan. At this stage, you should receive a thorough explanation of building costs from materials to labor as well as flexible construction time frames. This step involves back and forth communication for amendments and reviews. The preliminary plans can go back and forth among the draftsman, the homeowner, and the rest of the team that builds designer homes in Brisbane so that everyone can share input.

The Seal of Approval

After all the details have been hammered out, the draftsman should have produced a finished set of working drawings that the builders can work from. This final plan goes to the homeowner for approval. The builder may also conduct a soil test and work on foundation and structural engineering factors to ensure the site is ready to go once paperwork is complete.

The Bottom Line

Once you have received and approved the set of drawings, you can expect your final price quote. This step may take up to three weeks to work with vendors and suppliers of materials and determine any extra costs. This quote is a good-faith practice that is an essential part of how Leafe Designer Homes maintains transparency and communication. Homeowners should expect a fixed price to detail each expense and not get hit later with hidden fees.

The Go-Ahead

Once you approve the final price quote, it’s time to sign the master contract. This stage includes an initial deposit invoice as well as lodging the necessary building permits with council. With all the ducks in a row, construction on your new custom home can begin. Your journey isn’t over, though. You can schedule site visits to check on progress, talk with your draftsman to understand more about your home design, and meet with interior designers to customize interior fixtures from flooring to hardware, color palettes, and other finishing touches.

Leafe Designer Homes is not just dedicated to expert designer homes in Brisbane, but we are also committed to homeowner satisfaction. We want each stage of your custom home journey to exceed your expectations and reduce your stress until the day you move in and begin life in your dream home.

When you find that your current home no longer suits your needs or is too small for your growing family, you face a tough decision. Do you renovate the space you have, or do you start fresh and rebuild from the ground up? The answer to this dilemma depends on individual circumstances and considerations. There are advantages to both, but, ultimately, the best choice for you is the one that falls within your cost, time and personal needs and preferences constraints. Should you decide to knock down and rebuild, a custom home builder in Redlands will ensure that your new home meets with the requirements you’ve set.

Before you make the decision to start from the ground up, a comparison of the advantages of rebuilding versus renovating can help you determine if this is the right choice for you.

Cost Comparisons

Cost is a factor in most decisions to rebuild or renovate. If you are on a budget, your first inclination might be to renovate because it seems likely the less expensive of the two options. This, however, is not necessarily the case. An extensive remodel requiring structural changes can be as expensive as knocking down your current home and starting from the beginning. There are also a number of uncertainties that come with remodeling. Unseen issues that are discovered only once the work begins can add a significant financial burden to the original cost estimates for renovations. When you build a home from the ground up, you have the advantage of a fixed price contract, allowing you to budget accordingly. If you require only nominal changes to your current home, or a single room addition with no other structural changes, a renovation could be more budget friendly than a rebuild.

Time Estimates

Your time is valuable, and you want to ensure that you have your home within a reasonable timeframe. The advantage to a rebuild is that the time elements are often known factors in new construction. Weather is always a potential issue in meeting new construction deadlines during the initial stages, but, generally, a custom home builder in Redlands will be able to give you a solid idea of when you will be able to move into your new home. Rebuilding on the location of your current home does require you to relocate for the duration of the rebuild. A remodel can be a quicker project, but this depends on the extent of the project and how much of the home is being worked on at one time. If you are still living in your home while it is being renovated, then it is likely the project will be drawn out over a longer period as work is completed on an area or two at a time, so that the rest of the house remains functional for you and your family.

Needs and Preferences Fulfillment

One final consideration in the decision to rebuild or remodel is to determine which better fulfills your needs and preferences for your living space. A big advantage to a rebuild is in working with a custom home builder in Redlands to design a home that tics off all of your needs and preferences. You determine the number of bedrooms you need, whether you want your master upstairs or down, how many. Bathrooms to include, where to put your office and how large a garage you need. If your current home already meets the majority of your list of must-haves, then a remodel might prove more advantageous.

There are important considerations in determining whether to rebuild with a custom home builder in Redlands or to remodel your current home. Knowing what your budget is, how much time you are willing to give over to the project and what must-haves are currently unmet will give you a foundation for making the most appropriate decision for you.

Have you found yourself longing for a new look for your home’s interior, dreaming of creating the industrial feel you see perusing your favorite interior design magazine, but you are not sure where or how to start? When you are ready for a complete makeover, a custom builder in Brisbane can help you make that leap. Until then, it is possible to make small, incremental changes that will freshen up your home’s style with elements of the look you desire.

Creating a modern industrial feel calls upon the raw materials of warehouse features and the nostalgia of vintage colors and furnishings.

Below are a few tips to get you started.

Look for Your Inspiration

A quick search on the Internet for modern industrial interior design will yield numerous results. You might be surprised at the wide range of possibilities you find. Explore a few of these to get an idea of which aspects of the industrial style draw you in the most. Is it the stark, minimalist décor? Perhaps it is the cool metallic elements or the warmth of rich, red exposed bricks. Once you begin to identify what it is you like most about this style, you can start incorporating similar pieces into your home through art, furniture, shelving units and other smaller details. Do not worry about trying to make your space look just like the images you see on the Web; make it your own. If you have plans for a more complete interior renovation, seek the advice of a custom builder in Brisbane. Drawing up plans for a complete remodel, even if it comes at a later stage, can help you to determine what elements you would like to include now.

Begin With Your Furnishings

The easiest place to start when creating a modern industrial look is to add furnishings with the qualities you find appealing. For instance, if you are drawn to the cool, gray metallic features, swap out a current bookshelf for one that is constructed of metal and wood, replace your table with a metal one or change out your lights and floor lamps. You might consider starting with one room in the house. Experiment with that room. You can begin with the area you like the least now or the smallest room in the house, such as a bathroom, or the place that gets the most traffic. Regardless of your approach, starting with one space gives you the freedom to explore until you discover the vibe you want to create. Once you are satisfied with the look and feel you have created, move on to the next space.

Tackle Larger Design Elements

Once you are certain the modern industrial style is right for you, you can begin to tackle those larger design elements, such as exposed brick walls and piping, concrete flooring, or new windows. At this point, it might be incredibly useful to hire a custom builder in Brisbane. With an expert’s guidance, you can be confident that you will end up with a space that meets with your expectations. Without such assistance and expertise in design and construction, you might find that taking on the larger scale remodeling projects that industrial design can entail to be overwhelming, especially if you have not had prior experience in home renovations.

The modern industrial style can give your home a new and edgy look. Its appeal is in the raw materials and minimalist features that can make a home appear more open and airier, yet it also is versatile enough to bring a sense of warmth and coziness to a space as well. If you are uncertain where to start, there are ample websites out there to give you ideas. Armed with inspiration, you can then begin to experiment until you discover your own unique spin before undertaking a larger renovation to create the home of your dreams.