To build a custom home means giving yourself the freedom to shape a space around your life. Picture light-filled, welcoming mornings, open spaces that connect inside and out, and interiors that grow with your changing needs.
A home like this doesn’t happen by chance. Every choice, from the way your block captures the sun to the finishes you fall in love with, shapes the life you’ll live inside it. Careful planning from the start transforms your vision into a home that’s not just beautiful, but practical, uplifting, and built to last.
Here’s a guide to 10 things to consider before you build your custom home. You’ll discover practical insights and expert advice to help you create a home that’s perfectly tailored to your vision.
1.Budget planning: Know what you can afford
A realistic budget sets the foundation for your dream custom home. You’ll want to include not just the construction itself in your budget, but also costs like site preparations, landscaping and any upgrades you’re planning.
Make sure you understand what your contract covers and what falls outside it. Knowing this upfront prevents unwelcome surprises. It’s also smart to set aside a portion of your budget for your Selections Meeting, when you’ll be choosing colours, tapware, cabinetry, and other finishes.By planning carefully in this way, you can make confident decisions, choose the features you truly love, and bring your vision to life.
2.Choosing a builder you can trust
A skilled, trustworthy builder is more than a contractor. They’re your partner in bringing your ideas to life. Choosing the right partner when you build your custom home makes all the difference when it comes to project timelines, budgets and getting the home you always had dreamed of.
A builder experienced in prestige, family, downsizer or tricky-block homes can anticipate challenges before they arise and provide practical solutions, which saves you a whole lot of time, stress and costly mistakes.
With over 60 years of experience crafting homes across Perth, Stannard Homes combines expert guidance, tailored solutions, and a commitment to quality, giving you confidence from the first design sketch to the final handover.
3.Design priorities: Planning for today and tomorrow
Your custom home should support the way you live, and adapt as your family and priorities change. This means thinking beyond just rooms and walls. It means thinking about things like:
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms you need now and in five or ten years.
- Where you’ll entertain guests versus where you’ll enjoy quiet, private moments.
- Storage, utility spaces and functional layouts that make everyday living easier.
- Flexibility in design, so your home can evolve with your family or lifestyle.
This is where expert guidance matters. With Stannard Homes’ bespoke design process, every part of your home is tailored to your lifestyle. From smart storage solutions to open-plan living that encourages connection, your home is designed to work beautifully for the way you really live.
4.Size, slope and sun: What your block means for your home
You might think of your block as the foundation for your home, but it’s so much more than that. It completely shapes how you experience your home. For instance, the size, slope and orientation of your site will influence everything from layout and light to outdoor living and views.
Getting to know your block is key to making your home feel right. A sloped site can open up opportunities for split-level living, garages tucked neatly out of sight, or alfresco areas that step with the land.
Whereas smaller blocks call for clever layouts that make the most of outdoor space without cramping the interiors. And when it comes to orientation, have you thought about which way your home faces? It can completely change how light fills your rooms, how energy-efficient your home is, and how your views are framed.
5.Timelines & construction quality
Building a custom home is a very exciting journey, but it’s also a complex process. Understanding what to expect from start to finish can help you plan your life around the build and avoid unwanted surprises.
A bespoke builder will prioritise clear communication between yourself and the construction team to ensure you’re informed of your home’s progress, quality assurance is upheld throughout every stage, and only high-quality materials and trusted trades are used.
6.Sustainability & energy efficiency
A home that looks amazing should also perform beautifully. Thoughtful, sustainable design keeps you and your family comfortable, reduces costs and protects the environment, all without sacrificing style.When you build your custom home, you should consider:
- Orienting your home to make the most of natural light and passive heating/cooling
- Choosing energy-efficient appliances and lighting
- Installing water-saving fixtures and rainwater tanks
- Using high-quality insulation and glazing for year-round comfort
Working with a builder like Stannard Homes means these smart, eco-conscious choices are built seamlessly into your design, creating a home that’s as future-ready as it is stunning.
7.Paperwork and permits: Smoothing the path to your dream build
Before your dream home can take shape, there’s one essential step that keeps everything on track, that is approvals and compliance. It might not be the most glamorous part of building, but it’s absolutely vital to making sure your home is safe, legal and ready to go.
This process covers everything from:
- Planning permits and council approvals that confirm your design aligns with local requirements.
- Building codes and regulations to ensure your home meets national standards for safety and structure.
- Energy ratings that verify your home’s efficiency and performance.
- Site-specific conditions, such as bushfire zones, flood overlays or heritage areas, which can influence your design and materials.
It can sound like a lot, but that’s where working with an experienced builder makes all the difference. Stannard Homes takes care of every detail, liaising with councils, consultants and certifiers on your behalf. While you’re focusing on the excitement of design, we’ll take care of the behind-the-scenes paperwork and approvals.
8.Customisation: Bringing your personality to life
Designing a custom home is your chance to create something that no one else has. A place that feels unmistakably you! Every curve, colour and corner can tell your story, from how you start your mornings to how you unwind at the end of the day.
As you think about customisation, think about what matters most to your lifestyle. Do you imagine big, light-filled spaces that blur the line between indoors and out? Or cosy corners where you can read, relax and recharge? The beauty of custom design is that it bends to your rhythm, not the other way around.
With Stannard Homes, you’re never left guessing. Their design team guides you through each choice, blending creativity with practicality so your home feels refined, cohesive and authentically yours.
9.Lifestyle alignment: build your custom home around how you live
A home should fit your life, not the other way around. Thinking about your day-to-day routines helps you make design decisions that make every moment easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.
Reflect on what matters most to you at home:
- Family living: Open-plan spaces for connection, separate kids’ zones, and flexible bedrooms that grow with your family.
- Entertaining: Large, functional kitchens, living areas that flow into alfresco spaces, and zones where guests can gather naturally.
- Downsizing: Single-level layouts, smart storage and finishes that are beautiful yet easy to maintain.
When your home is designed around your lifestyle, every space, inside and out, flows together to make daily life comfortable and deliver lasting happiness.
10.Long-term value: Building for life and beyond
Your custom home isn’t just a place to live today. It’s an investment in the life you’ll enjoy for years to come. Designing with the long term in mind means creating spaces that remain beautiful, functional and inspiring no matter how your family or lifestyle evolves.
Consider how your home can continue to serve you as your family, lifestyle and priorities change. Ask yourself:
- Timeless style: Choose architectural elements and finishes that feel timeless, so your home never feels dated.
- Flexible spaces: Flexible layouts that can evolve with your needs, like rooms that convert from study to guest suite or playroom to retreat.
- Future-ready features: modern technology, energy-efficient systems and premium materials keep your home comfortable, efficient and low-maintenance.
- Curb appeal that lasts: Well-planned landscaping and exterior design ensure your home looks exceptional today and continues to impress for years.
Your vision, perfected with the Stannard touch
Your dream home should be more than stunning design. It should be a place that inspires you each and every day. From sweeping entertaining spaces to intimate family nooks, every detail should feel effortless and uniquely yours.
At Stannard Homes, we combine decades of experience with award-winning designs and personalised guidance to make your vision a reality. Whether you’re tackling a tricky block, planning for family growth, or simply chasing timeless elegance, we help build your custom home in a way that works for you today and tomorrow.
Browse our custom home designs and discover how we transform ideas into homes that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Contact our team today to start the journey towards a home that’s truly built around you.
