Building a dream home traditionally involved buying land, hiring an architect and then finding a reputable builder to construct it. However, demand is growing for companies that manage both the custom design and build all under one roof.
When Perth couple Gary and Melinda Ashwood bought an 850sqm block in City Beach with spectacular 180-degree ocean views in 2020, they then started searching for professionals who would understand their vision and work with them to deliver a quality build on time and in budget.
They got in touch with six companies to discuss how the project might take shape but when they mentioned this to other people, the “horror stories” started flooding in.
Mr Ashwood said he was hearing of people who had paid independent architects for custom designs but they ended up feeling crushed after having to either abandon the plans altogether or revise them after being costed by builders.
“We were being told that the price of actually building what was on the plan in front of them was coming in way over budget,” Mr Ashwood said.
Concerned that hiring an architect and then trying to find a builder risked budget blowouts and unnecessary stress, the Ashwoods opted to work with architect and building company Humphrey Homes, which is based in Cottesloe.
Director Dean Humphrey said the building company transitioned into a registered architectural practice in 2012. Since then, he has also employed two interior designers to round out the team.
He said cost discrepancies between architect plans and builders’ quotes have become common since the pandemic and usually stem from a mismatch between the design vision, site specific requirements and real-world construction costs.
Some architects use estimators but he said they were not always fully aware of current market prices for materials and labour.
Mr Humphrey said the integrated model meant the architect and builders work together under one roof and the architect or designer can check costs on-the-go with builders, who are pricing projects and obtaining quotes in real-time.
“I made the call to bring one architect and two interior designers in-house so that we are all working under the same umbrella in the same office and talking together,” he said.
“There are still clients who prefer the traditional process of using an independent architect and then finding a separate builder, however I know that our clients love the ease of communication, simplicity and guaranteed build quality by engaging us as the architect and builder because it’s one team from start to finish.”
The Ashwood's City Beach home built by licensed architect and builder Humphrey Homes
Luxury home builder Giorgi Exclusive Homes also offers architectural design services, and MAEK, in Peppermint Grove, also designs and builds.
“The designer and builder are one united team (and) responsibility is shared,” the MAEK website states, adding the traditional ‘design-tender-build’ method to design and build a new home is no longer necessary. This successful partnership delivers a faster, more cost-effective project with high quality outcomes.
“With team members working collaboratively from the outset … problems can be solved as they arise (not down the track when it’s too late), costs are known early and there are more opportunities to get the most out of your budget.”
Australian Institute of Architects WA executive director Jonathan Speer said the post-COVID market posed challenges across the board, not just for architects, and said a skilled architect “remains your best tool for managing it”.
He added a good architect does far more than produce drawings.
“They are creative problem-solvers who deliver spaces that are cost-effective, functional and tailored to your needs, and, at a fraction of your total project cost, a sound investment.”
Mr Ashwood said it was a huge relief not to have to spend time juggling the architect, builder and interior designer and be the conduit between them all.
He said the contract with Humphrey Homes included the services of architect Helen Marchesani, an interior designer with experience in specifying luxury homes, a project manager, a builder and a team of in-house tradies.
“We had countless meeting with the architect, Helen, where we went over and over the spaces and she had so many creative solutions and always made sure the best natural light was captured,” he said.
“We definitely needed an architect because we had a vision but not a complete vision.
“The location of our property is on one of the highest peaks in City Beach, so we said we need to design something that takes advantage of that.”
Mr Ashwood said even after the design was complete, the team could work together to incorporate little details and additions identified during the building process.
“They accommodated every single one of the changes we wanted,” he said.
This article first appeared in the Western Suburbs Weekly March 5, 2026