Because clarity today = a smoother, faster build tomorrow.
Building a custom home is one of the most exciting journeys you’ll ever take – but the clients who have the best experience aren’t the ones who start with a floor plan…
They start with clarity.
Before you engage a builder or begin the design process, there are a few key decisions that will determine your timeline, budget, selections, and how smoothly your entire build runs.
Here are 7 things you should have locked in before you speak to a builder:
1. Know Your Budget
Before you can design, you have to know what you’re designing within.
This one decision determines everything from square metre size to selections and finishes. Without a defined budget, your design can blow out quickly – or never make it off paper.
📌 Ask yourself:
✔ What can we afford?
✔ What are we comfortable spending?
2. Non-negotiables vs. Nice-to-Haves
Not every preference carries equal weight. Some features are essential to how you live – others are dream-extras if the budget allows.
Examples of non-negotiables might include:
• number of bedrooms
• accessibility features
• home office or kid zones
Nice-to-haves:
• skylights
• feature stone walls
• butler’s pantry
Knowing the difference helps your builder design smart – not oversized.
3. Your Ideal Floor Plan Flow
Think less about the look and more about the function.
🎯 Consider:
Where does the morning sun hit?
Do you entertain often?
Do you want bedrooms grouped together or separate?
A thoughtful layout leads to a home that feels designed for your life – not just for aesthetics.
4. Style & Material Preferences
Are you drawn to coastal, modern, farmhouse or architectural?
Do you love timber textures or polished concrete?
A moodboard (Pinterest is brilliant for this) gives designers direction and reduces revisions later.
5. Your Block Constraints
Before any design work begins, you need to know your land.
Important factors:
• slope & soil type
• site access
• solar orientation
• council overlays
This one step can prevent costly redraws down the track.
6. Timeline Expectations
Do you need to be in before Christmas?
Is your lease ending soon?
Are you planning a baby within the next year?
Custom builds aren’t fast builds – planning your deadlines early helps everyone stay on track.
7. How You Want to Communicate
Weekly emails? On-site walkthroughs?
Tell your builder how you prefer updates and decision-making from day one.
When both parties are aligned, the experience is smoother, faster, and far more enjoyable.
Build With Clarity – Build With Confidence
The clients who walk in prepared walk out successful.
And if you’re not fully ready yet – don’t stress.
We’ve made it incredibly simple.
📘 Want to learn how to avoid costly design mistakes, delays & budget blowouts?
Download our FREE guide below 👇
“7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home”
It expands on every one of these points – so you can start your build the smart way.
🔗 Download here: https://go.amazebuilding.com.au/7-things-you-must-know-page
Start your custom build journey with confidence – download your free guide here.
