Custom Design can be a viable path if you have specific requirements that cannot be achieved through our Pre-designed homes or a unique site that calls for a bespoke solution. If you are time pressed to start building or are risk averse in not knowing up front costs and timelines then we would suggest possibly steering clear of a custom solution. However, if you want a one-off expression to make it stand out, then get in touch and the fun can begin!

Custom Design is a unique journey and no two custom homes take the same path to fruition. This is why it can be a time consuming but rewarding journey - but the stakes are high so we need to get it right. Because of the unknowns in the process the fees for Customised Design must match the time and risks involved and are commensurate with industry standards . Contact us for our Custom Design Fee Schedule to get a better understanding of what is involved.

We will first do a deep dive into exactly what you are hoping to achieve and do a thorough analysis of your chosen site. The Design process can go through various iterations and is aided from the very start by comprehensive 3-d imagery and visualizations. As the design develops we will start helping you make selections and ensure all Design guidelines and requirements of the Ecovillage are met. We work alongside our Builder and Engineer to ensure the design is practical and can meet your budget. Contact us to get a full breakdown of the Stages involved.

Because we are starting from first principles it is not always easy to say exactly how long the custom design process will take. We would suggest you budget 8 weeks for Sketch Design and Design development, 4 - 6 weeks for engineering and 4 - 6 weeks for pricing and contracts. On top of that, Approvals may also take 2 - 4 weeks. So approximately 6 months from Appointments is a realistic period to budget on before building can commence.

Generally a custom build will be more expensive than building a design from our Collections for many reasons. Firstly the home needs to be designed and engineered from scratch so professional fees ( architect/engineer/energy assessor) of up to 10 percent of the build cost will need to be added to your home cost. We also lose the savings we have negotiated from our suppliers based on repetition and volume which cannot be applied to a one-off custom design. And finally, it is a time consuming process up front so possible material cost increases may occur during the process which needs to be included in a building contract.

It is for this reason that we are offering our Pre-designed Collections, to offer many of the benefits of an architecturally designed bespoke home without the additional costs, uncertainty, stress and time delays.