So you’ve finally decided to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and swap it for a bit of countryside peace. Now the question is, who’s going to build your home? There are so many acreage home builders on the Sunshine Coast it can be quite overwhelming to find one that will deliver the home of your dreams. Here are 4 tips to help you navigate the sea of acreage home builders.
1. Builder experience
A great place to start is to create a list of your preferred builders. Not all builders are the same, especially if they have a specialty. So you’ll want to narrow your list down by determining how much building experience they have, depending on your type of project.
Consider their experience in utilising views, orientation, and knowledge of working with difficult land such as sloping sites. These factors should be taken into account when making decisions. Finding a builder who understands the necessary factors is key. They must know how to make the most of your indoor and outdoor space. This will help you get more value for your money.
2. Site-specific requirements
Something else to consider when searching for acreage home builders is whether your property is located in a registered Bushfire Prone Area (BPA). If it is, your acreage will require a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment and consequently, your build will need special management and build specifications. Such specifications include the use of fireproofing materials along with specialised construction methods.
If your property is located at a higher altitude or on a ridge, it will be subject to stronger winds and will therefore need a re-inforced engineered structure. For acreage like these, you’ll want to be sure that your builder is aware and takes this into consideration.
Bushfires and wind ratings are not the only aspects that need consideration when building your acreage home. The below also need to be factored in.
- Acoustic levels
- Zoning limitations
- Local plan area codes
- Access to services, water, sewer, power, NBN etc.
- Flood mapping
- Slope stability
At Pacific Blue, we do a complete site report on your block of land. We identify any potential site-specific issues and discuss the impact and limitations that these may impose on you. We like to investigate every variable early to avoid unexpected issues during the approval and construction process.
3. Make fair price comparisons
When looking for acreage home builders, you will no doubt shop around. It’s incredibly important to compare your builders equally. There is a big difference between building a home on a standard residential allotment versus an acreage property. The house is one feature, but the other necessary elements of construction on a rural property may include;
- Sewerage treatment plants
- Water tanks
- Retaining walls
- Bulk excavation
- Potentially large driveways depending on the size of the property
- Long lead-ins for electrical and NBN services
So take the time to explore the previous homes and designs your acreage home builder has constructed. Their gallery of past projects will help you understand the quality and standards to expect. More experienced builders have a higher buying power and considerable industry knowledge, which will save you money in the long run.
4. Check out their reviews online
It’s worth reading about what customers have to say about the builder and the experience they received. Past customers may reveal hidden insights about the business you are looking into. Here’s what one of our clients had to say about their experience with Pacific Blue.
“Our home is perfect for our rural lifestyle, which only a custom home designer can offer by working with us for a personalised plan for our block and our family and farming needs.”
Choose Pacific Blue for your dream home
At Pacific Blue, we pride ourselves on being honest and transparent. With over 20 years of experience on the Sunshine Coast, we help our clients make their dream homes a reality without compromising on quality. So if you’re looking for a quality acreage home builder, contact our friendly team of experts today.
