FAQ

On the contrary, we can be more cost effective than if you engage a separate architect and builder. We can invest more time into estimating the project right from start (design phase), so virtually eliminate guesswork and contingencies. 

We can use either, however it makes sense to fix a price for peace of mind. Any project that can be defined and calculated should be estimated and fixed (as opposed to say a complex renovation with no defined scope of work). A high majority of our clients want a fixed lump sum contract. In our experience, it is mainly very small builders who don’t have the time or resources to create proper estimates (Bill of Quantities) and who therefore find it more convenient to use cost plus contracts (cost plus contracts have been referred to as ‘open cheque book’ contracts).

It’s very simple: we are more than happy to explain all costs, discuss quotes, put you in touch with previous clients, etc. We also employ a full-time estimator whose job is to ensure we buy every single item of building material, every fixture, fitting and product as competitively as possible.

Once you feel comfortable wanting to work with Humphrey Homes we will give a you a standard Architectural Design agreement.  This will clearly describe what services we will provide and how much that service will cost.  Your only commitment is then a deposit to commence design work.  Then, the fun begins! - we take all the relevant information, including interior and exterior ideas, and move into the concept sketch phase. We use what we have learned from you, mix it with our knowledge of your location, R-Codes, council requirements, environmental sustainability and passive design, then create a home targeted to your lifestyle. And that means many conversations with you, and as many sketches as needed until you approve the design. Once approved, we move into planning and approval stages with the local council.

Apart from an idea of budget, you don’t need to bring anything. Our first discussion will be about what you want from your new home, how many people will live in it, how long you will want to stay in it and how you will want it to perform. We can also talk about the spaces you have been in and what you thought worked and didn’t work, plus it’s great to know which architectural styles you are most drawn to. A ‘wish list’ of ideas is also a great thing to have in mind and, on the flipside, you can bring in a set of questions for us so that you can ascertain if we are the right people to trust with your new home.

It’s great to keep a visual diary (or Pinterest folder) of what you like and don’t like. It’s a great discussion point and helps edit your personal style in architecture, interiors and exteriors. Do you like Contemporary, Modern, Hamptons, Georgian or Federation? If it’s hard to discern a style, try finding themes you are attracted to. Perhaps it’s interiors that are calming, light, harmonious? Grounded, natural, earthy? Upbeat, fun, open? Everyone has different ideas about the perfect house. It’s our job to interpret what you want, integrate what you like, discern what you need and design a beautifully resolved house that answers all those elements.

Yes, our in-house architect, Helen Marchesani, has worked for many years in the high-end residential arena and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Humphrey Homes. Helen is our registered architect and also helps to integrate the many consultants required during the design stage. She also stays involved with our clients all the way through the building stage.

We try not to use sqm rates as they can be very misleading. (What is included in the sqm rate? What is not included? Does the rate include everything inside or anything outside? Does it include flooring, tiling, light fittings?) It’s easier to work back once a home is completed, but even then one still needs to be very clear about what is and isn’t included. Our cost estimates generally include almost everything in our homes, excluding soft furnishings and landscaping. 

Architecture, interior design and exteriors really work hand-in-hand. A well-resolved home isn’t a shell with a layer of decoration inside it and greenery around it. Designing not only the actual home, but also the interior and exterior at the same time, with the same people, will ensure a well-resolved home from inside to out. It is essential in ensuring the best design outcome. Our experience extends to colour and materiality palettes, fixtures, fittings, furniture and even art, plus we always design homes to capitalise on outdoor space and integrate soft and hard landscaping opportunities for use or views. It’s all part of our job. So we design these considerations into your initial plans from the start to ensure you have the perfect home for your collections and furniture, and how you want to interact within and outside your interior. Of course, we can also call in trusted experts in these fields to work with you, and us, to decorate and landscape your home. We are happy to provide you with what will make you most comfortable.

The short answer? No! We have fixed price contracts from the architectural to the construction and follow-up stages. Once we agree on a price, nothing changes unless you give your approval. We have inhouse professionals manage your budget over all stages of the design and build, so are able to be more flexible than most builders to ensure you get what you want without compromising on quality.

We have the ability to use a number of architects and are in touch with international architects, as well. However, our in-house architect Helen Marchesani is one of the best architects in Perth and responsible for most of the designs on our website.

No. We genuinely try to create whatever style our clients love. Diversity is the key with our architecture. We always start with a blank canvas, ensuring we create a unique home based on what our clients will love.

Most of our clients choose us so they can build with us, too. You not only get our building expertise as part of the deal, but we are ready to start once the design phase is finished and approvals are in place (as opposed to spending months looking for a builder). Therefore we tend not to design homes unless we are also planning on doing the building.

Call us when you decide you want to build. Whether you are demolishing your existing home, or looking to buy a new block, we are happy to offer assistance and can consult on all your decisions. We are happy to work with you at any time and in any way that makes you most comfortable.

As an Architectural Practice and a Building Company we make the whole process of designing and building as seamless and efficient (across design, build and budget) as possible. You have one company with their finger on the pulse from the start of design right through to completion. There is also no potential blaming between designer and builder. We remain accountable from start to finish. It has particular benefits for timeframes and budget, as we can juggle costs right from the design phase to ensure you get the most from your investment.

Most of the homes featured on our website fall between one to four million dollars. However, our focus isn’t on being in a particular price range, it’s on helping our clients create their dream home. Much below one million is where project home builders operate. Above four to five million is often just about size, or how much money you invest in fittings and fixtures.

The DA/Planning stage is a period we like to get as much work done as possible, in parallel to councils approval of our design. You will know what is happening and which meetings are scheduled so you feel part of the process and can decide which meetings to attend. During this stage, and even from our first meeting, you will be kept up to date. This approval stage won’t have a set timeframe, however we have been designing and building homes in the Western Suburbs for around two decades, so we have plenty of experience with the local councils and compliance requirements to ensure your design is approved with minimum delays at council. While your home is being assessed at council, we will start talking seriously about your home’s aesthetic – interior design, materials and finishes, fixtures and colour palette, home automation, lighting design etc – and how that will work with the design to create the look, feel and performance you want. We have a large range of Australian and international books and magazines, not to mention online libraries and references, from which to source inspiration and ideas.

This is a common query. There are few, if any, benefits to you providing your own fixtures. The savings we can achieve are usually far greater than what you can get (even if you ‘know’ someone), and you don’t need to worry about insurance, storage, incomplete parts, etc. We’re always happy to discuss this if you wish.

Absolutely. We encourage it. However, as a small company and out of respect to our clients, we like to get to a certain point in a working relationship before we hand out client details (just as you would appreciate it if asked to be a referee on our behalf).

It means you get exceptional workmanship. Many of our homes are entered in the building awards and this gives our people a certain level of quality to aim for. Our tradespeople may cost a bit more than most, but we get what we pay for. Quality is as much an attitude as it is a skill.

We have planning/development approval (DA), so now we move on to documentation. Good documentation takes three-to-four months, but it saves money, so we take this seriously. We have your interior and exterior selections finalised, your design drawn up by our Draftsman, engineers work on the structural plans and we complete a mandatory energy assessment. There are many consultations, including air conditioner installers, home automation specialists, lighting designers, electricians, cabinetmakers, pool installers and us (or your chosen interior designer and landscaper). Put simply, the documentation is the ‘map’ to ensuring a smooth build. Absolutely everything required for all trades to start work is recorded in our working drawings and our specifications. The benefit for you working with Humphrey Homes is that we all work together under the one roof – architect, estimator, draftsman, supervisor and builder – to ensure the best outcomes in terms of cost, speed, quality and communication. Plus, with us, you have access to everyone involved in your new build during all the various stages.

We can’t comment on other builders. We make variations if clients want them, otherwise we simply charge what the variation costs. Good planning and selection process should eliminate or reduce changes. Any change can cause delays or cost increases, so it’s also in our own interest to avoid them.

This unfortunately isn’t uncommon. Our whole ethos is around providing quality design and quality building, all managed under the one roof by the same people. Being involved throughout the design stage, consultant’s stage, estimating stage and construction stage means we get a deep understanding of how and why things happen. Hopefully our record as a building company, and the number of awards we’ve won, speaks for itself.

Absolutely.  Our in-house interior designer works very closely with our in-house architect and can work with you to any level you require to ensure the aesthetics of your home match the quality of the architecture.  This includes creating moodboards, recommending products/finishes and attending meetings at the Humphrey Homes office, at your new home site and with suppliers.

Absolutely not! Our clients are under no obligation to participate in our Open House events. However, many appreciated going through our other clients' homes before deciding to design and build with us and they choose to pay it forward. It also means that when they do move in, there is nothing left to do. The landscaping is in, the curtains are hung. All they need to do is pop the cork on the champagne at handover.