Our Custom homes
A process built around you. Not around us.
From your first brief to handover, we’ll explain what each stage involves, the decisions ahead and who you’ll be working with. Here’s how a custom home takes shape with Saltwood.
Step 02 — Concept Plans
Your home starts to take shape.
Our building designers develop a concept plan around your block and your brief — not a display home with your name on it, something actually drawn for your site and how you live. Once you're happy with the concept, we give you a preliminary price, so you've got a realistic sense of where things sit before anything is locked in further.
Timeline snapshot
Step 01 — Initial Consultation
Let's talk first.
We start with your block, your plans and your budget. This first conversation helps us understand what you need from the home and discuss whether our approach suits your project. The initial consultation is free.
No cost. No commitment. Just clarity.
Step 03 — Full Plans, Engineering & Fixed Price Quote
The part that makes us different
From there, we prepare your full set of plans — elevations, engineering, everything required to build — for your specific design, on your specific site. That's what a genuine fixed-price quote gets built from: every fixture and finish included, so what you see is a real number, not a base price with the gaps filled in later.
Step 04 — Contract Signing & Colour Selections
Now you're ready. So are we.
Once you're happy with the design and the quote, we formalise everything into a contract. By this point, there are no surprises left — you already know what you're getting and what you're paying. Signing is just the moment it all becomes official.
Then comes one of our clients' favourite parts — your Colour Appointment. This is where your home really starts to feel like yours. Together we'll work through all your colours and finishes — from tiles and tapware to cabinetry and paint. Everything included in your quote is already a great standard, but if you want to upgrade anything at this stage — a different tile, a premium tapware range, a feature finish — this is your moment to do it. No pressure, just options.
It's the fun part. We promise.
Step 05 — Construction & Handover
Breaking ground.
While your building approval is finalised, we get everything else lined up to start. Once construction is underway, you'll get a weekly update by email with progress photos through your client portal, so you always know where things stand without having to chase anyone for news. We also organise site visits at every claim stage — and if you'd like to see things in person at any other point, just ask.
We’ll walk through the finished home with you, answer your questions and explain the next steps for aftercare.
Timeline Snapshot
From first conversation to front door — in as little as 7 to 9 months.
We know time matters. Whether you're in a lease that's ending, a family that's outgrown your current home, or an investor ready to move — we work to a timeline that's realistic, communicated clearly and managed properly from day one.
Once we break ground, our standard builds are completed in roughly 16 - 20 weeks, with more complex custom homes finishing between 6 - 14 months. Factor in design, approvals and selections, and most of our clients are in their new home within 9 months of that first conversation.
The best time to ask questions is before you build!
Our initial consultation is free, relaxed and genuinely useful — whether you're ready to go or just starting to think about it. Come with questions. Leave with clarity.
No surprises. No fine print you find out about later. Just a real process, an honest number, and a home that's worth it.
If you'd like to understand how this would work for your block and your plans, we're happy to walk you through it.
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