http://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

Agile Designer Homes, 51 Brook Street, Hawthorn (2026)

23/10/2026

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲, 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁! 🏡

A building quote might look good on paper, but do you actually know what you're paying for?

One thing I always tell people is to look closely at how the quote is broken down.

A proper construction quote should be clearly itemised, showing exactly what's included in the job and where your money is going.

𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭. 👇

Too many Provisional Sums (PS) and Prime Cost (PC) items can leave you with uncertainty around the final cost of your build.

My advice?

Aim for a quote with minimal exclusions and keep provisional sums and PC allowances to no more than 5% of your total budget.

The more detail you have upfront, the fewer financial surprises you're likely to face later.

Remember, a good quote isn't just about the final number.

It's about knowing exactly what's included.

𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘰𝘵𝘦? 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 "𝘼𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙚" 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘋𝘔, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵'𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

21/10/2026

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆.

An outdoor living space can look incredible in a property photo.

But the real test is whether you actually use it when Melbourne weather decides to do its thing.

A well-designed indoor-outdoor connection considers much more than where to put the BBQ.

Think about:

→ Covered thresholds that provide shelter when the weather turns

→ Wind direction so your outdoor area isn’t constantly exposed

→ Winter sun to make the space more inviting during cooler months

→ Summer shade to keep it usable when temperatures rise

→ Door systems that make moving between inside and outside feel effortless

→ Heating and lighting so the space doesn’t become unusable once the sun goes down

→ Connection to the kitchen and living areas so the outdoor space feels like part of the home, not an afterthought

There’s no single alfresco layout that works for every family.

A covered courtyard might suit one home. A rear deck or side garden connection might work better for another.

The important thing is designing around how you actually live.

Before choosing the layout, ask yourself:

Will we still want to use this space on a cool, windy evening or a hot summer afternoon?

That answer should influence the design from the beginning.

👉 Comment “𝗔𝗹𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗼” and tell me which setup would suit your family best: covered courtyard, rear deck, or side garden connection?

20/10/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿.

When building your dream home, it's tempting to compare builders by looking at one thing: the final price.

But a lower quote doesn't automatically mean a better deal.

What matters is understanding exactly what you're paying for, what's still uncertain, and what could change along the way.

Here are four things I recommend checking before committing to a builder.

𝟭. 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱

Look beyond the total. Review the scope of works, materials, finishes, fixtures and fittings.

Are you comparing quotes that cover the same things?

𝟮. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Pay close attention to provisional sums, estimated allowances, and items excluded from the price.

These gaps can affect your final cost if you're not clear on them from the beginning.

𝟯. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Ask how the construction schedule is managed, how changes are priced, and who communicates updates when something changes.

Clear processes help reduce confusion and unexpected costs.

𝟰. 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Check the warranty arrangements, handover process, defect management and what support is provided after completion.

The building relationship shouldn't end with the keys.

As a builder, I believe a good quote should give you confidence because you understand what's included, what isn't, and what to expect next.

Before choosing a builder, compare the details, not just the dollars.

A little extra scrutiny now can help you make a more informed decision.

👉 Comment “𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘” if you're planning a custom home and want to make more confident decisions when comparing builders.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

19/10/2026

𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱.

It’s easy to think the timeline starts when the excavator arrives.

In reality, there’s a lot that needs to happen before the first wall comes down.

A knockdown rebuild can involve:

→ Temporary accommodation and knowing when you actually need to move out

→ Asset salvage if there are fixtures, fittings, or materials worth keeping

→ Utility disconnects that need to be organised before demolition

→ Documentation and approvals that need to be completed ahead of site handover

→ Demolition sequencing so the site is cleared safely and efficiently

→ Council and utility timing, which can introduce delays if not planned early

→ Pre-construction decisions that need to be resolved before the builder takes over the site

One of the easiest mistakes homeowners can make is setting a moving date based purely on when they expect construction to start.

There are several milestones before you reach that point.

Planning these early can help avoid unnecessary gaps, rushed decisions, and unexpected accommodation costs.

If you’re considering a knockdown rebuild, don’t just plan around demolition day.

Plan backwards from the day you want construction to begin.

👉 Comment “𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲” if you’re planning a knockdown rebuild and want to understand the key milestones to plan around.

15/10/2026

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹.

One of the challenges with building on a smaller or closely positioned block is creating privacy without making the home feel dark, enclosed, or disconnected.

The solution isn’t always a higher fence.

Good design can create privacy while still allowing natural light, views, and a sense of openness.

A few things worth considering early:

→ Window height and placement can control sightlines without sacrificing daylight.

→ Screening can block direct views while keeping rooms feeling open.

→ Courtyards can create private outdoor spaces without completely closing them off.

→ Landscape buffers can soften boundaries and provide privacy naturally over time.

→ High-level windows can bring in light while reducing overlooking.

→ Borrowed light can help bring daylight into spaces that need privacy from neighbouring properties.

The important thing is to consider privacy during the design stage, not try to solve it after the house is built.

Because the best privacy solutions often aren't the most obvious ones.

👉 Comment “𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆” if you’re planning a home on a block with close neighbours.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

14/10/2026

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂.

Once your walls are plastered, you'll no longer see exactly where the electrical cables, plumbing pipes, and internal framing sit.

And months or years later, when you want to hang a heavy mirror, install new cabinetry, or investigate an issue, that information could save you time, money, and unnecessary guesswork.

That's why I recommend creating a pre-plaster photo record during your build.

Here's what to document:

𝟭. 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴
Photograph cable routes, power points, switches, and junction locations before they're concealed.

𝟮. 𝗣𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴
Record pipe locations, water lines, and other concealed plumbing services.

𝟯. 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀
Capture stud positions, noggins, and relevant framing details that may be useful for future fixtures or modifications.

𝟰. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀
Take wide shots to show the overall layout, then closer photos to capture important details. Include a tape measure or other reference where practical.

𝟱. 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀
Create folders by room and use clear file names, such as 𝘒𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘯_𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘭_𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭_01. Keep a backup of the photos with your building documents.

One important point: photos are a useful reference, but they don't replace approved plans, service records, or professional advice when you need to locate concealed services.

The best time to create this record is before the walls are closed, while everything is still visible.

👉 Comment “𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧” if you'd find a room-by-room pre-plaster photo checklist useful for your next build.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

13/10/2026

𝗔 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗶𝗿-𝗰𝗼𝗻.

It starts with the design.

Before choosing heating and cooling systems, there are decisions that can have a major impact on how your home feels throughout the year.

Think about:

→ Where your windows and glazing are positioned

→ How much summer sun reaches the living spaces

→ Whether insulation is continuous and properly considered

→ Where unwanted draughts could enter

→ How natural airflow can move through the home

→ Whether different zones can be heated or cooled independently

These details might not be the first things you notice when looking at a floor plan, but they can have a big impact on everyday comfort.

A well-designed home should work with Melbourne’s climate, not constantly fight against it.

So when planning your next build, don’t just ask:

“W𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥?”

Ask:

“H𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘯?”

That conversation is worth having early, while there’s still time to make meaningful design decisions.

👉 Comment “𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁” if you’d like to see more about the design choices that influence how a home performs year-round.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

12/10/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲?

If you're thinking about extending your home, one of the first questions you'll probably ask is, "𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥?"

As a guide, renovation extensions can start at around $4,000 per square metre and reach $7,500 to $8,000 per square metre for higher-end projects.

So, what makes such a big difference in price?

→ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀: Premium flooring, joinery and other design details can significantly affect your budget.

→ 𝗙𝗶𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: The quality and specifications of your selected products influence the overall cost.

→ 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆: The requirements of your project can affect the labour, materials and work involved.

That's why two home extensions with similar floor areas can have very different price tags.

The important thing to remember is that a price per square metre is only a starting point.

Your existing home's condition, the scope of work, and your design choices all need to be considered before you can establish a realistic budget.

Planning an extension?

Define your priorities early and speak with your builder before locking in your design.

It can help you understand what's achievable within your budget and avoid costly surprises later.

👉 Comment “𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡” if you're considering extending your home and want to learn more about what affects the cost.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

09/10/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.

When planning a custom home, it's easy to focus on material costs.

Tiles, windows, cabinetry, and finishes often get the most attention.

But there's another major cost driver that can make or break your budget: labour.

As a builder, I've seen how a design can look achievable on paper but become far more expensive to deliver in reality.

Why?

Because some designs are much more labour-intensive than people realise.

Complex details, difficult installations, and construction methods that require more time on site can all push costs beyond the original budget.

A design budget is only useful if it reflects how the home will actually be built.

That's why involving your builder early in the design process matters.

It helps identify potential cost issues, assess construction complexity, and make informed decisions before they become expensive changes.

You don't have to compromise on the home you want. You need to understand what it will take to build it.

𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦?

Look beyond material prices and ask how your design will affect labour, construction time, and the overall budget.

👉 Comment “𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗧” if you're planning a new build and want to make smarter decisions before construction begins.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

08/10/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸.

Before the plans are finalised, a good builder is already looking at the things that can affect how your home is designed, priced, and built.

During the first site visit, they may be checking:

→ Street access and how materials will reach the site
→ The slope and changes in ground level
→ Existing structures that may need to stay or be removed
→ Neighbouring properties and boundary conditions
→ Service locations such as power, water and sewer
→ Existing trees and their impact on the build
→ Drainage clues and potential water issues
→ Areas where construction risks or extra costs may appear

It might look like a simple walk around the block, but this is where build reality starts showing up.

A design can look perfect on paper.

The site is where you find out whether it actually works.

👉 Comment “𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘” if you think the site should be assessed before the design gets too far ahead.

🤙 +61 419 118 196
📧 [email protected]
📍 51 Brook St., Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
🌐 https://agiledesignerhomes.com.au/

Agile Designer Homes

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20/10/2026

19/10/2026

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14/10/2026

13/10/2026

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08/10/2026

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