Our Process - Design & Build
The first step - Getting to know you and your site:
As a first step, we’ll ask you to complete a short questionnaire so we can get to know you a little better.
From there, we arrange a time to chat about your block, your budget, your goals, and how you want to live in the home. You can let us know what you want to achieve and we will explain our services and the building process.
We specialise in building low energy, comfortable, healthy homes that can be taken to Passivhaus Certification.
If you’re new to Passivhaus or healthy home principles, we explain what it actually means — comfort, performance, lower energy bills, better air quality. No jargon. To learn more about Passivhaus design and building please click here.
Feasibility & budget clarity:
Before moving ahead, we assess feasibility. Looking at site constraints, orientation, design intent, and ballpark costs. We’re upfront about numbers early so you can make informed decisions and avoid falling in love with something that doesn’t align with your budget or goals.
It all starts with a site meeting to review land characteristics like slope, orientation, views, and planning requirements. From there, we arrange surveys, soil testing, and planning reports, while beginning the design process.
A Concept Plan is developed, carefully considering all your needs and ideas, alternatively if you have existing plans we can review these together.
Collaboration & performance:
At this stage, we meet with you to review the Concept Plan and costing against your objectives and budget. We share our recommendations on materials, fixtures, fitout and finishes, and insulation techniques to optimise building performance, while working with you to incorporate your design and lifestyle requirements.
Once you’re satisfied with the design, we finalise all documentation for construction, including working drawings, engineering design, energy assessment, and PHPP profiling.
We collaborate closely with your designer or architect from the start, considering the thermal envelope, insulation, glazing, airtightness, and ventilation— because healthy, high-performing homes don’t happen by accident; they’re the result of our proven, carefully planned processes and years of experience.
Detailed pricing & build ready:
At this stage, we work with you to finalise the interior design and fitout, offering solutions and recommendations for colour schemes, paints, flooring, lighting, joinery, window finishes, built-in furniture layouts, and appliances.
Once these decisions are made, we prepare a detailed schedule of costings for the project, providing a clear scope and inclusions with no grey areas.
When everything aligns, we move into contract and get ready to build a home that performs as beautifully as it looks.
Contract signing and building permit:
North South Homes will prepare a detailed contract for signing by both parties. The contract will include architectural drawings and specifications. As soon as the contracts are signed, building approvals can be arranged and the project begins.
Construction:
NSH will provide the homeowner with a construction schedule. This may vary due to complexity of the project and any other potential delays. We can arrange on-site walkthroughs of the project with you during the various stages to ensure that it is meeting your expectations.
If there are any aspects that you would like to change, we will work with you to incorporate these into the project if it is possible. The construction of your building will be managed to meet the material and workmanship standards that we have committed to achieving.
Handover & moving in:
We really want you to love your new home.
Before final handover, we’ll walk through the entire home with you to make sure you’re happy with every detail. Nothing gets overlooked.
During this walkthrough, we’ll go over how everything works and provide a comprehensive Homeowner’s Manual, including instruction booklets, servicing requirements and cleaning advice.
The goal is simple — to set you up properly from day one, so you can maintain the quality and long-term value of your investment.
We’re committed to more than just handing over the keys. .
At 12 months after completion, we’ll check in again to make sure everything is performing as it should and address anything that needs attention.
Book a Consultation
*Consultation includes either a one hour phone or video call to discuss your project in detail