Surf Coast Plan Check
Brea and Daniel were looking to build their very first home. They had visited display homes and read up on getting the first home buyers grant – but where to from there?
They invested in a Where Do I Begin consultation and I was able to talk them through a number of important decisions that they hadn’t realised they needed to consider.
Our first step was to find the right block. As well as the usual considerations such as cost and proximity to shops and schools, we spent time envisioning how a house would sit on each of the blocks they were considering. I discovered that when Brea and Daniel imagined being in their home, they had a vision of sitting in an open-plan living room filled with natural light. The orientation of the home on the block was paramount, so we began the search for a block that would face north-west at the back of the home. This would ensure that when the home was built they could have that beautiful light-filled space they dreamed about.
Once they had finalized the purchase of their block and started to look at potential plans and packages from developers, they called me in again to examine the plans and help them decide. Brea had her heart set on one particular plan, but I wanted to examine whether it would really meet their needs or whether it would be cause for later regret. We spent time talking through Brea and Daniel’s lifestyle, what their days looked like, what their priorities in the house were and how each potential house plan would fit into their lifestyle. Brea came to realize that the plan she loved might not be very practical. The second living area that would be the kids play-room was an open plan area right in the middle of the house – it looked lovely but there was no way to close it off to control the noise and hide the toys if things were getting messy.
Similarly with another plan that was up for consideration, which had the second living room positioned right next to the front door. In talking it through, Brea was able to envision herself being torn between trying to keep the play-room constantly neat in case of unexpected visitors or letting the kids play to their heart’s content with the result that every guest would be greeted by a spill of toys.
Although it felt a little agonizing eliminating both these designs from the short list, Brea and Daniel did it, understanding that these plans would not give them the relaxed family home they wanted. The plan they eventually decided on had all the elements right – the beautiful light-filled open-plan living room that could take full advantage of the orientation of the block, and a great sized play-room tucked away at the back of the house. With the addition of a barn door the play room is now easily accessible for the kids running in and out to play throughout the day, and can be closed to keep toys out of sight or when the excited sounds of play get louder.
I suggested a couple of changes to the plans to improve the outdoor livability of the home. A slight adjustment of where the house would be situated on the block meant just the right amount of room on one side of the house to access the clothesline, and more room on the other to make the most of the space. By also adding the alfresco area into the original build instead of building it later on, it was able to be part of the roofline and keep the sleek, clean look that Brea and Daniel love.
Through asking the right questions and helping Brea and Daniel picture how everyday life takes place, I was able to help them pick a plan that now makes life less stressful and more enjoyable. Their family is able to function more happily because we took the time to consider how their block and their house plan would impact daily life… that’s the beauty of the Where Do I Begin service.
