Planning Your Dream Home: Where to Start
- Hutton Builders
- Sep 1
- 4 min read
Building a dream home is one of life’s most exciting journeys, but for many, it can also feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? The land? The budget? The architect? Or the builder? According to Lance and Jana of Hutton Builders, the answer is simple: start with the right builder, and the rest will fall into place.
Start With the Right People
Hutton Builders has built strong connections with surveyors, engineers, and architects across the spectrum, from high-end to mid-range to entry-level, so that clients are guided to the right professionals from the very beginning. It means people don’t have to navigate the industry alone.
“We always encourage clients to bring us into the process early,” Jana explains. “That way, we can help make sure the design, the budget, and the site are all aligned right from the start. Working together with architects and designers from the beginning saves time, money, and stress, and it creates a smoother journey for everyone.”
Finding Your Canvas
Every build starts with a canvas, whether that’s a section waiting for its first home or an existing property ready for transformation. Hutton Builders helps clients weigh up what’s involved, from the practicalities of earthworks and soil types through to design possibilities and cost impacts.
“It’s not usually a dealbreaker if the land isn’t perfect,” explains Jana. “But the difference between spending $20,000 or $120,000 on earthworks is something you want to know upfront.”
Designing the Details
Once the canvas is chosen, the design process begins. For a dream or forever home, this can take six months to a year as ideas evolve, materials are considered, and details are refined. For many clients, the sheer number of decisions is surprising.
“Clients often say, ‘We had no idea how many choices there would be,’” says Jana. “That’s where we step in, to guide, simplify, and make sure all the options are on the table without overwhelming people.”
Architects and designers bring the creative vision, while builders bring the practical knowledge to make that vision work in reality. By combining both perspectives, clients get a design that not only looks incredible but is also achievable, durable, and suited to their lifestyle.
Hutton Builders are meticulous when it comes to recommending materials. With so many products on the market, it can be hard for clients to know what will last. Lance and Jana prioritise quality and integrity, choosing products they know will stand the test of time, not just the latest trends!
Budget Matters
Budgets look different for everyone, and at Hutton Builders, that’s okay. Some clients come without a fixed budget, simply wanting their home built properly, to the highest standard, with no compromises. Others arrive with clear numbers in mind. Either way, Lance and Jana take the same approach: every project is done with care, professionalism, and integrity.
“We work with all types of budgets,” says Jana. “Our focus is always on doing the job properly. Sometimes that might make us seem more expensive if we’re compared against a cut-price builder who doesn’t have the same standards. But the reality is, to get quality that lasts, there needs to be a level of investment. Our clients understand that, and they know we’ll help them get the most out of whatever budget they’re working with.”
Being clear about budget early simply helps align expectations. It ensures the right choices are made from the start, so clients can achieve the outcome they’re dreaming of, without unwelcome surprises along the way.
The Builder as Your Advocate
Every great home is the result of a team effort. Architects and designers bring essential creativity and vision, but for many clients, the process can still feel daunting. That’s where having a builder involved early makes such a difference.
Builders act as advocates, translating jargon, clarifying costs, and ensuring the design matches both the site and the client’s budget. With a builder on board from the start, clients have someone in their corner who understands the practical side of construction and can keep the project grounded in reality while still allowing the design vision to shine.
Timing Is Everything
Good builders are rarely sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. They’re booked months, often years, in advance. That’s why Lance and Jana encourage clients to engage with their builder early, before designs are finalised and long before shovels hit the ground.
“Once you’ve got that relationship with a builder you trust,” says Jana, “you’ve got someone on your side for the entire journey, from the first design conversations, through council approvals, right to handing over the keys. And that makes all the difference.”
Final Thoughts
Planning your dream home doesn’t have to feel daunting. With the right builder guiding you from the start, you’ll have the right team around you, realistic expectations, and a process that feels less like a headache and more like an adventure.
Let's talk about planning your dream home.
For us, it’s not just about building houses. It’s about guiding clients with care, integrity, and expertise, making sure the journey to a dream home is as rewarding as the destination itself.
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