What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

https://www.greatsouthernhomes.com.au/

Great Southern Homes, Denmark (2026)

06/03/2025

Over the next few weeks, we would like you to meet the team here at Great Southern Homes!

04/01/2024

Carpentry Apprentice

Great Southern Homes would like to add an apprentice carpenter to their team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is interested in working in the building industry as an apprentice carpenter.

The role requires working outdoors and can be physically demanding, a current drivers license is desirable as the job will require you to be on various projects.

If you are interested in applying for the position please email a resume to

[email protected]

22/02/2023

DESIGNING HOUSE PLANS THAT WON’T BLOW YOUR BUDGET.

At Great Southern Homes we often see excited customers come in with there newly designed house plans only to be disappointed at the actual real cost of the design they’ve spent thousands of dollars on.
So how do you design a home to a budget ?

Should I engage an Architect or talk to a Builder 1st?

Let’s look at both scenarios, starting with the Architect.

It's important to be aware that architects are not cost consultants, their specialty is in capturing your ideas, and dreams ,and turning them into plans that will be your home.

Architects have a Code of Conduct that includes a responsibility to design and deliver a project within the constraints of a budget that's been agreed with the client. They are also obliged to tell clients if they think their budget is unrealistic.

Architects will have access to general pricing, based on previous projects, cost per m2 for similar designs and cost calculators that generalize designs.

An estimated cost per square metre can be a good place to start but it's very important to realise that the site conditions, sloping sites, elaborate fit outs and styling, designer details, can throw a m2 rate out by a huge margin.

So why is it many of the design we see come into our office are so over budget?

Price increases in the last few years has seen some home designs jump substantially, and this is no fault of the design. It may well have been affordable 2 -3 years ago.

Alternatively, Speaking to your Builder 1st.
Builders are capable of designing homes for their clients as well. The builder will have a vested interest in designing an affordable design, because if you can afford the design , its inside your budget, then naturally you’ll go ahead and build it, saving lots of time and money for all concerned.

Builders price the work based on current availability of their tradespeople, and current material costs including projected price rises expected in the construction time frame. Builders have real-time costs from suppliers and subcontractors come across their table every week.

And, whilst designing, the builder can advise on extra costs for designer details like say high ceilings. "Three-metre ceilings will mean taller glazing, extra lighting, plasterboard lining, painting, or extra scaffolding – all of which will add costs."

Here at Great Southern Homes, we recommend costing the project:
• At concept design (especially if deciding on which option to proceed with)
• Before lodging for development approval (so you don't get approval on a design you can't afford to build)

Need a hand?

Deal direct your local builder
Michael Smyth
Great Southern Homes
0427 678 898

for a no obligation discussion on designing or budgeting your new home.