Posted October 5 in Dual Occupancy

Why you need a full-service dual occupancy builder

Dual Occupancy involves building two or more homes on one block of land – but that doesn’t need to mean double the time, stress, or cost. That is, as long as you choose the right builder.

The key to having a stress and delay-free dual occupancy build is selecting a qualified builder to take care of everything for you – from quality site assessments and plan development to dealing with council and demolition.

‘Many builders only construct the actual home – leaving the rest of the project for you to organise, which can be a stressful and time intensive exercise. A true end-to-end full service dual occupancy builder will have an expert team to manage every aspect of the development on your behalf,’ explains Boutique Developments Consultant, Melissa Boyd.

‘Working with an end-to-end builder has the bonus of being able to finance items such as demolition, driveways and landscaping.’

We step through the basics of a dual occupancy project below to help you spot a true end-to-end dual occupancy builder.

1. A no cost feasibility assessment and design consultation

These initial steps involve setting your dual occupancy project up for success from the outset. As part of Boutique Developments complimentary upfront service, your Developments Consultant will initially ask you about your building goals and lists of must-haves and nice-to-haves. They’ll then find the perfect dual occupancy design for your circumstances.

‘Each property has constraints and opportunities, depending on size, orientation, and several other factors,’ explains Melissa.

‘The feasibility assessment will showcase what is truly possible on your block and to your budget and how to maximise the potential of your land to ensure the best return on investment.’

Working with an experienced Developments Consultant to assess these areas upfront will ensure you avoid unnecessary delays, stress, and costs in the long term.

2. Complimentary site assessment

As part of the upfront and transparent service that we provide, we go a step further than most builders would at this stage. To ensure you feel confident with your development design, our experienced and qualified Site Assessor will inspect your property in person, free of charge.

‘Their job is to confirm that the proposed design is compliant with building codes and council regulations, so there are no nasty surprises down the line,’ explains Melissa.

Surrounding buildings, traffic, and vegetation can all impact your ability to develop your land. An experienced Site Assessor can identify and rectify any potential issues early in the build process.

‘They can also answer any specific questions you have, so by the time you sign on the dotted line, you know exactly what to expect,’ adds Melissa.

‘Our in-person and qualified assessments also mean we can provide upfront and transparent pricing from the get-go.’

3. Town planning provided

Putting two or more homes on the same block adds an extra layer of complexity when dealing with council and town planning. Find a builder who has a thorough knowledge of building and the development process and can handle this for you.

‘Each property will have specific requirements you need to work within to ensure you put forward a compliant design to council and gain timely approval,’ says Melissa.

‘An end-to-end builder will handle the entire design development and town planning process on your behalf.’

4. Demolition provided

Most people who choose to build a dual occupancy are doing it as part of a knockdown rebuild: an older, less valuable home is demolished and replaced by two or more new homes. Although demolition might sound simple enough, it does involve much more than a bulldozer.

‘While knocking down the building usually takes just a couple of days, there’s a lot of work involved in the months leading up to the demolition. For example, applying for permits and asbestos certificates, organising for utilities to be disconnected, and booking reputable contractors,’ says Melissa.

‘Owners are the ones who’ll foot the bill for any mistakes made, namely permits that are not applied on time or at all. So, it pays to go with a builder that offers demolition and can manage the whole process for you.’

Learn more about the demolition process and how to correctly spot a demolition expert.

5. Complimentary Interior Design service

The beauty of a dual occupancy build is that the interiors of your new homes can be completely different. You might choose to use one home as a rental while living in the other, you might share the costs of the land and homes with friends, or you may use both homes as rental properties that appeal to different markets.

No matter the goal for your homes, you need to ensure both interiors look their best. And a qualified Boutique Homes Interior Designer can help you do just that.

‘Every Boutique Developments customer has their own qualified Interior Designer to help guide them through the entire process. Having a professional in your corner to help you pull together the look and feel you want for each home while working within your budget will ensure you get the best outcome,’ says Melissa.

6. Project Management – from start to finish

The biggest drawcard of an end-to-end dual occupancy builder is their ability to project manage. They’ll bring an expert team who understand the ins and outs of every aspect of your build and make sure your project is delivered on time and budget.

‘Ask any builder you are vetting if they can manage demolition, driveways, landscaping, and applications on your behalf. If they can’t, know you’ll have to figure this out on your own, which can add a lot of work and stress to your plate,’ concludes Melissa.

Are you ready to launch your dual occupancy development in Victoria with a true end-to-end dual occupancy builder?

Reach out to one of our experienced Developments Consultants today.

Have you found ‘The One?’

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