SDA Management Services WA

SOL Construction

Home Builders in Perth, Custom Home Builder

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Benefits of Building Custom

Have you ever lived in or visited a house that just didn’t feel right? A feature that seems out of place, a room that isn’t quite big enough, a house that didn’t really feel like a home?

These are all pitfalls of building from the design table of a company that has no interest in how your home fits your life, and vice versa. What’s more, big builders have pre-conceived ideas about what a house “should” be like, without taking into consideration how some people need it to be. So what can be done about this?

The answer: Custom construction. Rather than follow the designs someone else made up, who better to create the home of your dreams than you – the person who will spend the most time there. What’s more, the ideal home for you can meet or even exceed building codes and regulations in your area, be eco-friendly, and even stand out as the best house on the block. Beyond this, here’s a selection of great reasons to go custom.

Your new home, designed with you in mind

When you go custom, you can select not only the amount of rooms in place for various purposes, but also feature everything you want, the way you want it. Building with a company like SOL means you get to be an integral part of the design and development process, and ensure that the concept of your new home is something that you are not just comfortable with, but something you simply cannot wait to move into. The human imagination can take us to some pretty amazing places, and being able to use this imagination and embody it in a home is a rewarding and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.

Architect-designed homes also allow you to express yourself through your home design, but with the trained, professional eye of someone who knows the ins and outs of home design. This means you can have the nicest-looking house around, whilst maintaining and even maximising functionality.

Lifestyle benefits

Custom homes have been known to reduce stress in their occupants and improve family life, creating a personalised, liveable space that the whole family wants to enjoy together. And who doesn’t want to live in a more harmonious environment? Having a home that is functional for everybody and caters to their individual needs will help enable your family to spend more quality time together and to simply enjoy being at home..

Environmental awareness

The benefits of a custom home can also extend to the environment by including eco-friendly features within the design of the house. For example, double-glazed windows can be so energy efficient that they save enough power through better temperature regulation that they pay for themselves over time in the money saved on power bills. Designing the roof in such a way that solar panels can be included seamlessly is another way to create a beautiful home with the environment in mind.

Lower maintenance costs

Following on from the environmental benefits, reduced power consumption and the potential for the inclusion of solar energy systems means that in the long run, you’ll be saving money on bills. An energy-efficient home could save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year, giving you extra money to spend on…..whatever you like!

Resale value

When you go for a custom home, you can increase the likelihood of a better resale value for your home in the future. Making sure you have a home with practical features that can appeal to the wider population, and fits well within the suburb’s aesthetics helps to strike the balance between a house that you feel comfortable living in, and one that performs above expectations on the market.

What’s more, some of the best value-retaining features you can add to a custom home also enhance its liveability. Decks, quality fittings and energy-efficient insulation are a few things you can include in your custom home that add value and increase interest in it when it comes time to sell.

These are but a few examples of what a custom build can do for you and your lifestyle. So if you’re interested in creating a home that’s beautiful as well as functional, looking after the environment and enhancing the resale value of your home, then give SOL Construction a call and see what we can do for you!

Where To Start

Where to start when considering a custom built home

Ever stepped into a home with personality from its mailbox to its benchtops? The concept of creating a space tailored to suit your needs and lifestyle is the most appealing aspect of building your own home. It makes sense – a home that’s built to your specification, with nothing you don’t want, and everything you do. However, it can be quite a daunting process to begin with. Not knowing where to start is a common problem faced when designing your own home.

First of all, it starts with knowing what you want in a home.

There are a few key elements to keep in mind when designing your home. Lifestyle, space requirements, and the orientation and limitations of your block all need to be taken into consideration first and foremost.

We work with clients who are as early on in the process as this. After initial discussions about the “must haves” and “nice-to-haves” such as the number of bedrooms needed, the size of the garage or desire for a pool, we are able to take on the responsibility of design from start to finish.

You can trust our skill and experience to help you create a home that will suit your lifestyle and budget.

Knowing what you want in a home is a delicate balance of form and function, and there’s no wrong place to start as far as form goes. Whether you’ve got a few ideas already in mind, or have seen elements you like in other homes in your travels, being clear about your own vision for your custom home is the first step towards your dream. Even flicking through architecture magazines or scrolling through Instagram can give you some great ideas to incorporate into a home. Having some definite ideas about what you do and don’t want for your house will mean a smoother design process overall. Rest assured though, we can help you develop your ideas further and  creatively integrate them into your home design in a way that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Remember when you were a kid making your Christmas wish list? Take this activity, and put it into your new home design. Except this time, you’re in control of what you get. At SOL Construction, we know what it means to dream big, and we want to help you get the best out of your custom design. We can help you fine tune your ideas and transform your dream home into a reality. Our knowledge of both the design and construction processes means less back and forth about design issues during the building phase. Getting it right from Day 1 will mean getting into your custom dream home sooner, happier and with a greater sense of satisfaction and achievement. And when we know you’re happy with the job, we’re happy too.

Trust SOL Construction to help you create your dream and turn it into a reality.

Top Tips From Nick Del Borrello

Looking to build your dream home?

Here are SOL Construction Director Nick Del Borrello’s top tips for designing and building a luxury, custom home.

  • Speak to a reputable builder.

    If you’re looking to design your home, speaking to a reputable builder will give you peace of mind that your new design will be built within your budget.

  • Build smart.

    When it comes to energy efficiency there are a few elements to consider in regard to design, orientation, materials and landscaping of your home.

  • New Home Design

    In terms of energy efficiency, design covers a variety of features. From cross ventilation to window location and size there are an endless number of ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home during the design process. This is why speaking to a reputable builder is key.

  • Consider Orientation

    Although it is often overlooked, orientation is one of the most important factors in the overall comfort of a home.

  • Use the right materials

    It’s also important to consider what materials your builders are using. Polished concrete floors provide excellent thermal mass in a home by harnessing the suns energy during the winter days to radiate that heat throughout the evening. Perfect for those cold winter nights.

  • Don’t forget about landscaping

    Deciduous trees provide excellent shading during the summer months, but also allow the suns warm to penetrate the home during the winter months.

    • Investing your time and money in energy efficient solutions during the early stages of a build will provide you with lower energy costs throughout the lifespan of your home, saving you money in the long term.

  • Don’t waste space

    If budget allows, build high and vast! Separate bedrooms and bathrooms with walls, but keep living areas open and free. There are a number of ways to maximise a sense of space in your home. Open plan living, high ceilings and door openings and floor to ceiling windows provide natural light, giving the illusion of open space.

  • Consider Renovating

    If you love the location you live in, but your home is looking a little tired, renovating will give you more bang for your buck as far as cost goes. The substantial savings associated with agent’s fees and stamp duties will provide you with extra cash to put toward your renovation project.

  • Invest your time and money with a builder you feel you can trust.

    Trust and respect are two core values we adopt in developing strong relationships with our clients. We are committed to providing good old fashion customer service which also extends beyond the build process.

Timeless Design vs Concept Room

When thinking about custom houses, the opportunities and possibilities are almost endless.

The overall theme of a truly memorable custom house, however, often falls into one of two categories – timeless classic or futuristic concept home. Even if you don’t know exactly what you want, here’s a few themed room and house ideas to help you create your unique design.

Colonial Federation Classic

This traditional style of home design harks back to Federation times, and is prominent in Perth suburbs such as Mt Lawley. This design often features Tudor style gables, high ceilings and decorative timber fretwork, and overhanging eaves or a sweeping veranda around the exterior. The classic Aussie veranda provides a place for rest and a focal point of the exterior of a home, identifying a part of our history. This classic style allows you to decorate the inside in whatever manner suits your lifestyle or budget. Wicker furniture and wooden fixtures are common in homes such as these, but the creature comforts of the 21st century also fit easily within this style. New homes built in Federation style can still feature modern efficiency elements such as solar energy, thermal cladding and water-wise technology, without compromising the classic look of  the exterior.

Painted/rendered modern Concept

A current trend in homebuilding is the sleek-looking rendered brick exterior. However, just because it is the current style, doesn’t mean you have to have a house that looks like everyone else’s. The brilliant thing about rendering is the wide variety of colour options available for your exterior, and the modern style complements a modern interior. Slick lines, smooth walls and featured windows make up this style of home, and designing it with space requirements in mind means it can be both stylish and comfortable. Due to the flexibility of this architecture, size limitations of blocks can be overcome with 2-storey designs, narrow lot structures and wide-frontage designs. As such, a modern home need not be compromised by the environment in which it is situated, and SOL Construction can help you create the best design for your block.

Modern Minimalistic Concept

This concept of home furnishing is something of a current trend, as smaller lot and house sizes have  created the need to make the most of interior space within the home. Utilising the available space effectively is crucial for creating a home that is functional, as a home that is overcrowded with features or furniture is neither practical nor relaxing to live in. One way to keep your interior stylish and functional is to adopt a minimalist approach. Keeping furnishings to a “bare minimum”, utilising smart storage options that take up a minimal space, and keeping a comfortable distance between large pieces of furniture are great steps to take in order to make a modern home practical, stylish and un-cluttered. Some specific pieces to consider in a modern minimalist setting are glass coffee tables, plush white couches and sleek grey feature paintings or artwork.

Timeless Living

At SOL Construction we take an active interest in all parts of the design process, from concept to completion. Whether you want a classic house brought into the present day, or a futuristic modern concept house to call home, we know what’s required to do the job within your budget and to your specifications.

Building an Energy Efficient Home

Building a new home is all about choices.

Modern or traditional? Brick or cladding? An extra kids room or a theatre room for the adults?

To get the most value out of your new home build, you must consider elements that are going to add value to your home and save you money in the long run.

Investing in energy efficient solutions could cut long-term costs associated with owning a home, particularly considering the weather conditions that homes must endure in Perth.

Recently, a home in the Perth suburb of Schofields  made headlines proving that an energy efficient home may not set you back as much as you may have anticipated. The home, built in 2011 and designed by Australian building products company CSR, set the owners back between $300 and $400 in power costs per year.

Imagine a minuscule energy bill, and an added bonus when it comes time to sell the home.

Here are COL Construction’s top recommendations for energy efficient materials and cost cutting methods of power you should consider when building your home.

Design

There are a number of ways to incorporate energy efficiency solutions to your home during the design process, from window location and size to building materials which is why speaking to a reputable and experienced builder is key!

Orientation

Living areas and rooms that are used more during the day should be north-facing to catch sun and light for the longest part of the day, meaning you save electricity lighting the space in winter, and leaves bedrooms positioned on the southern side, making them cooler at night in summer and also cuts costs on cooling.

Insulation

Insulation is one of the most important ways to reduce your home heating and cooling costs. There is a whole host of new foam insulation technologies made with environmentally friendly and advanced composite materials on the market now. These ensure heat doesn’t escape from the roof, walls and other areas of the home during cold winter months.

Materials – Light-weight construction

The drive for energy-efficient building comes down to a quest for the “tight envelope”. In layman’s terms, the better that structure keeps out the wind and the rain, the tighter its envelope. Many builders and homeowners shy away from methods of light weight construction because of the higher costs, however, the short-term expense can often equal long-term savings. Additionally, the market for light weight construction material in Australia is growing, meaning costs are not as high as they once were.

Find out more on the YourHome Government website >

An Award Winning Bathroom

Here at SOL, we are immensely proud of the work we do, combining small business-like personality, with big-business know-how and professionalism. A very satisfying outcome of the dedication we instil into all our projects is the recognition we receive from various organisations. The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has awarded SOL different titles on multiple occasions, and today we are highlighting one such achievement – 6 Tahiti Lane, Hillarys.

This home, close to Hillarys Boat Harbour, features a bathroom crafted by SOL Construction, that  was awarded the 2010 HIA New Bathroom Project of the Year, and the WA Bathroom Project of the Year. In addition, it was a finalist in the HIA National Bathroom Project of the Year for 2011. And these plaudits are justified with just one look at this exquisite area.
Stunning bathroom shot
And as if this wasn’t impressive enough – this bathroom masterpiece sits within a house that also features an award-winning swimming pool. SPASA awarded 6 Tahiti Lane the National award for Residential Concrete Pools, up to $50,000. This wondrous feature of the ground floor incorporates both indoor and outdoor space, offering a fantastic entertaining atmosphere and terrific lighting to create a beautiful night-time spectacle.
Award winning bathroom
This stunning pool was described by SPASA as a “seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces”, justifying SOL’s receipt of the prestigious award. Not only fantastic to look at, this swimming pool is also a great place to enjoy the hot summer afternoons, or use the gas heating to have a dip in winter. And when it’s time to hop out, an outdoor shower placed conveniently on the deck awaits, where you can rinse off before heading to the delightful master bathroom. These features transcend the traditional notion of swimming pools being used exclusively during the hot summer’s, and provides a great place to be even when the weather is less than perfect.
These award-winning features of this beautiful home in Hillarys strike the balance between functionality and aesthetics, without compromising on either. As a builder, it is fantastic to be presented with awards for the hard work and dedication we incorporate into every build. This motivates us further to provide excellent customer service, accompanied by world-class craftsmanship and architectural design. This allows us to turn each client’s dreams into a tangible reality, and provide them with a physical space in which to live and grow.