Our design-build process
Step 1: Initial consultation and site visit
Your journey with us begins with a consultation. We sit down with you and take the time to understand what matters most to you — your lifestyle, design ideas, priorities and non-negotiables. To help you visualise what’s possible, we’ll also walk you through one of our spec homes. It’s a chance to experience our craftsmanship, attention to detail and your potential dream home firsthand. From there, we’ll visit your site to assess its orientation, topography and overall potential. This visit helps us shape a home that’s tailored to its surroundings and aligned with your vision. Together, these insights form the foundation of a well-crafted brief — the first step in bringing your bespoke home to life.
Step 2: Design and planning
Here’s where the creativity begins. We connect you with our in-house design team and trusted architectural collaborators to craft a concept that’s both visually striking and deeply personal. Every detail, from the flow of spaces to how the sun moves through the home, is considered. Alongside your design, we develop a preliminary cost estimate. This ensures that the proposed concept remains aligned with your budget from the very start. Our design-build process is grounded in creative excellence and financial transparency, so there are no surprises down the line.
Step 3: Selections and final costing
With your design direction established, we move into the exciting stage of selections. From material palettes and finishes to fixtures and fittings, our interior designers guide you through a curated selection process that reflects your personal style and supports the overall architectural intent. Once your selections are made, we update your pricing to reflect your final choices. We ensure this final cost proposal is clear, accurate and tailored to suit your priorities, balancing form, function and financial sensibility.
Step 4: Contract signing and approvals
When you’re ready to proceed, we formalise everything with a comprehensive building contract. We also handle all required documentation and liaise with relevant authorities to obtain building approvals, structural engineering and energy assessments. Our team’s experience means less stress and fewer delays for you. It’s part of our commitment to offering a complete design-build service in Melbourne. We remove the complexity aspect so you can enjoy the process.
Step 5: Construction
With approvals in place, it’s time to bring your dream home to life. Our construction team is known for their craftsmanship and attention to detail. So, when they take over, working from the approved plans and specifications, you can expect nothing less than exceptional quality. We provide regular updates so you’re always informed about progress, and we welcome your input along the way. Every detail is meticulously overseen to uphold our uncompromising standards and honour the vision behind your dream home. At the end of this stage is a beautifully built, masterfully designed home that’s as enduring as it is inspiring.
Step 6: Handover and aftercare
We want the handover to be more than a simple gesture of you receiving the keys to your dream home. The handover is more of a celebration of your vision, brought to life. We take the time to walk you through your new home, explain systems and features and ensure everything is exactly as it should be. You’ll also receive a comprehensive warranty pack and ongoing support post-handover. Should you have any questions or require assistance, we’re always just a phone call away. Because to us, aftercare is an extension of the same integrity and dedication that defines every build we undertake.
Build your dream home with Elements
We believe designing a home should be an experience you enjoy, from the first sketches to the final finishes, and that is what we offer. Whether you’re just exploring or ready to dive in, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Get in touch to book your consultation today.
FAQs
In a traditional build, the design and construction phases are handled by separate entities, which can lead to miscommunication, delays and cost overruns. With the design-build model, Elements handles both design and construction under one roof, while collaborating with acclaimed external architects to cultivate a design journey that is both visionary and impeccably refined — this fosters collaboration, efficiency and alignment from day one.
Not necessarily. In fact, the integrated nature of the design-build process can often reduce costs by minimising delays, improving coordination and ensuring early alignment between design intent and budget. At Elements, we’re committed to delivering value without compromising on quality.
No. As bespoke home builders, we start every project from scratch. Your home will be designed specifically for your site, lifestyle and vision. While we may show you past builds or spec homes for inspiration, there are no off-the-shelf plans — only tailored designs.
As involved as you’d like to be. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Whether you come with a clear vision or are looking for creative guidance, our team ensures you’re included and empowered at every step.
Timelines can vary based on site conditions, approvals and the complexity of your design. We provide a detailed timeline specific to your project during the early stages and keep you updated throughout the build.
Yes. We manage the full suite of planning and building approvals, including documentation, coordination with engineers and surveyors and communication with local councils. Our goal is to simplify the design-build process so you can focus on the actual build of your home.