Custom Homes – FAQs
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Building a custom home in Sydney should feel exciting. But when you’re making one of the biggest investments of your life, it’s natural to have questions.
At Vivo Homes, clarity should come before commitment. These FAQs outline what to expect during the design, approval, and construction process. This way, you can proceed with more confidence.
Custom Home Design and Planning
We begin by understanding your daily routines, entertaining style, storage needs, family priorities and plans for the future.
These conversations guide the layout, flow and features of your home.
The result is a custom home designed around your lifestyle, your land and your vision. Read more about our custom design process.
Many homeowners come to us with sloping, narrow, irregular or otherwise challenging blocks.
Before moving forward with the design, we check the site conditions and planning requirements. This helps us spot challenges early. We can then design a home that smartly fits the shape, orientation, and features of your land.
A challenging block does not necessarily prevent you from building. Often, it creates opportunities for a more distinctive and considered design. See examples in our portfolio of challenging-block builds.
Yes. We can create detailed concepts and 3D renderings based on the agreed design scope. This will help you visualise your future home.
These visual tools help you see the layout, scale, and look before construction starts. They help you feel sure about your design choices and spot things you want to improve.
The design timeline depends on a few factors: the complexity of your home and block, the number of design revisions needed, and the approval pathway you choose. “Most projects move from first consultation to final design in X–Y weeks.
Once we know your project, we’ll give you a clearer timeline. You will always know the current stage of your project, what decisions you need to make, and what comes next.
The cost of building a custom home depends on several factors:
| Cost factor | What it affects |
|---|---|
| Size and complexity of the design | Floor area, structural complexity, number of storeys |
| Condition and accessibility of the block | Site works, access for machinery, demolition needs |
| Materials, finishes and inclusions selected | Fixtures, fittings and finish tier |
| Engineering and site requirements | Footings, structural design, geotechnical response |
| Council or certifier requirements | Approval pathway, conditions of consent |
| Demolition and external works | Knockdown, landscaping, driveways, fencing |
| Energy-efficiency and sustainability features | BASIX compliance, insulation, glazing upgrades |
We prepare your final construction price once you’ve developed the design, completed site investigations, defined engineering requirements, and made major selections.
This lets us give you a clearer and more accurate price before you sign the building contract. We aim to identify important costs early, reducing uncertainty and surprises later.
Your quote will clearly outline the construction scope, the items included, and any known project needs.
| Quote component | Typically covers |
|---|---|
| Site preparation | Clearing, access, temporary services |
| Structural construction | Footings, frame, roof |
| Internal fixtures and finishes | Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, joinery |
| Engineering requirements | Structural certification and design |
| Utility connections | Water, power, sewer, stormwater |
| BASIX requirements | Water and energy compliance measures. |
| Approval and certification costs | Council/certifier fees, inspections |
| Demolition or knockdown rebuild requirements | Removal of existing structure |
| Relevant allowances or exclusions | Provisional sums, items outside scope |
Yes. After you finalise the design, scope, and selections, Vivo Homes can offer a fixed-price building contract based on these details.
The contract clearly outlines the scope, inclusions, payment schedule and contractual conditions. It also helps you understand the investment required before construction begins.
The price may change if the client agrees to variations, authorities require changes, or unexpected site conditions come up that couldn’t be identified earlier. Any proposed change is explained and documented before additional work proceeds.
Changes might be possible, but they may affect the building cost, timeline, and completed work.
We make key design and selection choices before starting construction. If you ask for a change during the build, we will share the details. Then we’ll provide you with a written variation for your approval before we move forward.
Your home may be approved through a Development Application (DA) or a Complying Development Certificate (CDC).
A CDC can create an easier path if the home and property meet the right development standards. A DA is generally required when the design falls outside those standards or when the site has additional planning constraints. You can review current approval pathways on the NSW Planning Portal.
Vivo Homes can help with the approval process and connect you with the right consultants. They’ll guide you on which pathway to follow and what information you need.
Most custom home projects need a site survey. You might need a geotechnical report, a soil test, an arborist report, a hydraulic design, or other specialist checks. It depends on your land and design plans.
These reports help the design and engineering teams see the site conditions before construction starts. Completing the right investigations early can also reduce the risk of unexpected issues later.
Yes. Vivo Homes can help you replace an existing property with a custom home designed specifically for the same block.
Our team can manage the design, approvals, and construction stages. We’ll also help you with demolition needs, site conditions, service disconnections, and the best approval pathway.
This gives you a clear path from assessing the existing property to completing your new home. Learn more about our knockdown rebuild service.
The time it takes to build depends on your home’s size, complexity, site conditions, material availability, and the approved scope of work. Most custom builds with Vivo Homes run X–Y months from slab to handover.
A detailed construction timeline will be ready once the design, approvals, and specifications are finished. We also explain the major stages of the build so you understand how your project will progress.
If something comes up that could change the timeline, we’ll share it clearly and explain what to do next.
Bill Hanna, the Construction Manager at Vivo Homes, manages the building process. He works closely with the trades involved in your home.
The team checks the work at every stage of the build. They look at framing, fixing, and final inspection. This ensures everything matches the approved plans, specs, and building standards.
This director-level involvement provides clear accountability throughout construction.
The Vivo Clarity Process™ keeps you informed from your first chat to handover.
You get regular updates on progress. You also receive clear info about upcoming milestones, decisions, and anything needing your attention.
You shouldn’t have to keep chasing your builder just to know what’s happening with your home. Read more about the Vivo Clarity Process™.
Yes. Vivo Homes can use energy-efficient designs, materials, and building methods in your custom home.
This may include considered orientation, improved insulation, glazing, ventilation and other performance-focused features. The best approach depends on your block, design goals, budget, and energy efficiency needs. All NSW homes must meet BASIX water and energy standards. Vivo Homes can help you go beyond those standards.
As Accredited Passive Home Builders, we can also discuss advanced building performance options when needed. See our energy-efficient homes page for more detail.
