BEHIND THE BUILD: WHAT A CUSTOM HOME PROCESS REALLY LOOKS LIKE

Mention “custom build” and a lot of people picture months of chasing tradies, a spreadsheet detailed enough to organise a stocktake, and you, wondering if the scaffold is a permanent design feature.

Fair enough - building from scratch gets a bad rap. And compared to buying an existing home or going with a House + Land package, it can sound like the high-effort option.

But with the right builder - like us (yep, shameless self-promo 😄) - going custom doesn’t mean taking on a second full-time job. You get the say where it matters, the support where you need it, and a home that’s 100% yours.

Why people shy away from custom

Buying established feels like the easy road: find a house, sign the papers, pick up the keys. But you’re also inheriting someone else’s choices - and their maintenance headaches.

House + Land packages are streamlined: the design’s done, the section’s picked, and you just choose the fun stuff like colours and finishes. Perfect if you’re happy going with the flow and keeping decisions to a minimum.

But if you’ve got a strong vision, or your site calls for something specific, custom is probably your lane. It gives you control without forcing you to become the foreman.

What “custom” really means

Custom isn’t code for grand designs or million-dollar monstrosities. It’s simply building a home that’s tailored to your land, lifestyle and budget.

It could mean a modern three-bed with a killer kitchen, a single-level layout designed so you can retire the vacuum from stair duty - or yes, it can mean a home big enough to house you, your five kids, and your in-laws, with room to escape the chaos.

You decide where to splurge and where to save - higher ceilings instead of a third bathroom, a bigger garage instead of a second lounge - and your builder makes sure it all fits together without blowing the budget.

Classic’s step-by-step process

Step 1: Creating your dream

This is where the fun starts. We sit down, swap ideas, and pull together your wishlist - the must-haves, the nice-to-haves, and the “never in a million years.” We’ll also check out your site so your plans fit your land and lifestyle from the get-go.

Step 2: Colouring your dream

Here’s where it gets real. With your Building Consultant and Designer guiding you, you’ll make all the exciting choices - from roof colours to kitchen finishes. Got a Pinterest board? Bring it in. The more ideas, the better.

Step 3: Time to build

Once the plans are locked, you can relax while the build gets underway. You’ll meet your Construction Manager at the pre-construction meeting, then we’ll take care of the rest - all while keeping you updated. Every home goes through a 17-stage quality assurance process, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Step 4: Move in!

Keys in hand, big smiles all round. Handover day isn’t just a handshake and goodbye - we’ll walk you through your next home, point out all the clever features, and make sure everything’s ready for you to start living.

Step 5: Peace of mind

Our Aftercare team will be in touch in 12 and 24 months to check in, and your 10-Year Structural Warranty has you covered long-term. Because “good as gold” shouldn’t just describe the paint colour.

Want the full breakdown? 

👉 Check out our Design + Build brochure

The decisions & trade-offs

One of the best things about going custom is that you choose the trade-offs.

Want the dream kitchen with all the bells and whistles? Cool - maybe that means standard carpet instead of the imported Italian stuff.

Need more space in the garage for the boat? Easy - tweak the living room dimensions to suit.

It’s about spending where it matters most to you, not where a plan says you should.

How it stacks up against other options

Side note: With Classic, you can still “see it before you build it” thanks to our exclusive partnership with HomeAR - a full-scale virtual walk-through of your plan before construction even begins.

A well-run Design + Build project with Classic isn’t a stress-fest. It’s a supported process where you make the fun calls, skip the endless compromises, and end up with a home that’s built for your life - not someone else’s.

Keen to see what’s possible?

Check out how Leigh & Ngaia took a proven floor plan, tweaked it to suit their family, and turned it into a home that nails every detail.

👉 Read their story

Got questions? We’ve got answers

Is a Design + Build way more expensive than House + Land?

Not always. Design + Build lets you decide where the money goes - splurge on the kitchen, save on the flooring, for example. With a fixed-price contract, you’ll know exactly what’s included so there are no surprises.

How long does a custom build usually take?

From design to handover, most builds take around 9–12 months, depending on the complexity and consents. The big difference with Classic is that we map out a clear week-by-week timeline before we start, so you know what’s happening when.

Do I have to manage a Design + Build myself?

Nope. That’s what your Construction Manager is for. They coordinate the entire build, keep everything on track, and update you along the way - so you’re not juggling phone calls or chasing tasks up.

Can I make changes along the way?

Yes, but we’ll always talk you through the cost and timeline impact first. The more we nail down in the design stage, the smoother things run once the build kicks off.

What if something goes wrong after handover?

There’s where Classic Care comes in. When you first move in, we’re there to make sure everything is as it should be. Plus we check in at 12 and 24 months to see how you’re finding things and get your feedback. We also offer a 10-Year Structural Warranty. If anything crops up, we’re here to sort it out.