Our Design & Construct Process

There are three key phases when you build your dream home and we’re there with you every step of the way.

The Design Phase

Your design meeting with our new home designer is a collaborative and detailed process aimed at uncovering your unique vision for your future home. It’s the first step in translating your dreams into architectural reality.

Here’s what you can typically expect from the meeting and the benefits you’ll enjoy while working with Paragon Homes.

  1. Introduction:
    • Our design team will introduce themselves and begin our conversation with you. Having a good rapport with each other is essential for open communication and trust, which are crucial for a successful design process.
  2. Understanding Your Vision and Needs:
    • Our designer will ask you about your lifestyle, preferences, and the functionalities you wish to include in your new home. This conversation might cover topics like the number of bedrooms, special rooms such as home offices, sustainable features, and aesthetic preferences. However it will also including leading questions about how you live, what you like to do when you’re at home and what is important. We cover off on what you like in a home, and what you really don’t like. This guides us with the design process so we can deliver a home design that ticks all your boxes.
  3. Site Discussion:
    • This discussion will specifically revolve around the characteristics of your block, its topography, and how it might influence the design in terms of orientation, views, natural light, energy efficiency and more.
  1. Detailing Your Requirements:
    • Here, our designer will delve deeper into the specifics—such as the flow between rooms, the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, and any particular material preferences you have.
  2. Visual Inspiration and Conceptualization:
    • You may be asked to share images or references that have inspired you. The designer can also present a portfolio of previous work to help identify your style preferences.
  1. Professional Insight:
    • One of the best compliments we hear is how our experience does a lot of the heavy lifting for our clients. Our knowledge about current trends, materials, and construction technologies help us suggest options you may not have considered and guide you towards solutions that match both your aesthetic and functional requirements.
  2. Asking the Right Questions:
    • All of our staff are trained to probe beyond the surface, asking leading questions that help you uncover not just what you want but why you want it, ensuring the end design is as practical as it is beautiful. Even the least prepared client enjoys this process and leaves feeling like no stone was left unturned and confident we’re able to deliver a new home they will love.
  3. Problem-Solving:
    • Our years of expertise allows us to foresee potential challenges and navigate through complex zoning laws, building codes, and structural logistics, which can save you both time and money.
  4. Budget Discussion:
    • During the design process, we will discuss your building and finishing budget to set realistic expectations for the project scope. This is one of the advantages working directly with us as we know the costs for construction and the design features and specification included in our homes. This helps you get a home that matches your budget and maximises the areas that matter most.
  1. First Sketch:
    • After the initial design brief, we’ll create your first concept sketch. This takes into account everything that was discussed during our design meeting. When we present this design we will walk you through the home and give you our thoughts on how the home meets your expectations.
  2. Feedback Loop:
    • Often, the initial design sketch we present is spot on, but we are also flexible and understand that once you see a design there might be some additional requests and alterations to get it just right. After you’ve had time to go away and review the design, we’ll ask for your feedback. If necessary, we can fine tune the design to your liking.
  3. Pricing:
    • Now that you are happy with your home design we’ll complete the pricing so you can see what the design will cost to construct. Some clients also may ask for additional pricing options for their consideration, which we can accomodate. Just ask our team and we’ll be happy to help.
  4. Ready to move forward:
    • Now that the design and pricing is right, we’ll move onto the pre-construction phase.

The Pre-Construction Phase

Once you approve the initial design and price provided, the pre-construction phase enters into full swing. This phase is the bedrock upon which the seamless execution of construction rests. This involves a series of meticulous steps, regulatory checks, and documentation that many clients might not be fully aware of, as they largely take place behind the scenes.

A soil test and detailed site survey are conducted to assess the soil composition and topography. This information is crucial for the engineer to design appropriate footings and for us to plan for any site-specific considerations, such as sloping land or potential drainage issues.

Paragon Homes will commission structural engineering drawings from a qualified engineer. These drawings are critical as they detail the structural elements of the home, such as the foundations, beams, columns, and other load-bearing components. They must be precise to ensure the safety and stability of the building.

The home design must undergo an energy efficiency assessment to ensure it meets or exceeds the National Construction Code (NCC) in Australia. An energy rater will analyze the plans to produce an energy efficiency report, which could affect aspects of the design, like insulation, window placement, and size, to ensure the building is energy efficient.

Taking into account the engineering and energy requirements, final working drawings are created. These include all architectural and builders’ drawings necessary for construction, showing detailed dimensions, material specifications, and special conditions.

With the final drawings in hand, we will submit a Development Application (if required) and Building Licence to the local council or a private certifier. This process can be complex and time-consuming, as it may involve seeking approvals from various departments and addressing any objections or conditions set by the council.

While awaiting approvals, you can finalize your selections for fixtures, finishes, and other design elements. Although these details might seem minor, they need to be locked in early as they can affect the final construction documents and builder’s schedules.
At Paragon Homes, we assist all of our clients through their selections to ensure the home reflects your tastes.

Simultaneously, the builder prepares the building contract. This legally binding document outlines the terms of construction, including the scope of work, timelines, payment schedules, and responsibilities of both parties.

Before work begins, we will also secure construction insurance. Australian law requires builders to provide a warranty insurance or a fidelity fund certificate to the homeowner, ensuring protection against structural defects or builder insolvency. This gives you total peace of mind before finalising the building contract with us.

Internally, the builder will start scheduling the project timeline and begin the procurement process for the necessary materials. Lead times for materials can significantly affect the project, so early planning is essential.

Throughout the pre-construction phase, our friendly team will keep you informed of progress, especially regarding the timeline leading up to the start of construction.

Construction & Handover

Now that all of the preliminary work and approvals are received, we begin work on site. This an exciting time as the reality of all your early preparation comes to life.

This is where we order the materials and organise tradesmen and suppliers to complete the different phases of construction. Our building supervisors attend your building site to liaise with everyone while inspecting workmanship and ensuring the construction process is as smooth as possible.

Throughout the process, we may ask you to visit the building site with us to discuss key stages of construction and to keep you informed of the progress of construction.

The day of handover arrives when your new home reaches practical completion.

You’ll be invited to meet on site and have your final handover inspection to ensure everything is completed as per your building contract.

Once the inspection is complete, you’ll receive the keys to your new home (as well as other items like appliance manuals and certificates) and you’re ready to begin moving in and making the home your own.

Congratulations on choosing a Paragon Home. We hope you’ll love your new home as much as we love making it a reality.