Case Study · Morphett Vale, SA
Ochieng Residence
“A first home buyer guided from land purchase through to a budget-friendly custom design in Morphett Vale.”
By George Giannakakis · M.Arch · RLA300580 · HIA Industry Judge
Last reviewed: · How we research
Project type
New home build
Region
Southern Adelaide
Suburb
Morphett Vale
Council
City of Onkaparinga
Block type
Smaller block, vacant land
Duration
Approximately 8 months
The Situation
What the Ochieng family was up against
The Ochieng project began after a previous family connection. We had helped her mum with a home, and she reached out when she decided to start her own journey as a first home buyer. She was looking to build in Morphett Vale, but had not yet secured a block of land. Like many first home buyers, she was unsure about the land purchasing process and did not feel confident making that decision on her own.
- •Finding the right block of land
- •Understanding how the land purchase process actually works
- •Whether the chosen site was suitable for what she wanted to build
- •How the size of the block would impact the design
- •How to make everything work within a tighter budget
Approach
How we worked through it together
- 1
Land guidance and agent introduction
The process started with land. She was connected with a land agent who could walk her through the purchase process and explain what to expect. This gave her the confidence to move forward without feeling rushed into a decision.
- 2
On-site assessment before commitment
Before she committed to the block, the site was visited in person to assess it and provide feedback on any potential issues. The block was suitable, so she proceeded with the purchase.
- 3
Major builder with custom design approval
A major builder was selected because their pricing structure suited her budget. The block size, however, required a more thoughtful design approach, so approval was obtained from the builder to move beyond standard plans and develop a custom design that suited the site.
- 4
Considered layout for a smaller block
The layout was carefully considered to maximise the available space. This allowed her to achieve a more tailored outcome on a smaller block without moving outside her budget.
Outcome
How it turned out
A well-designed home that made strong use of a smaller block in Morphett Vale, while staying within budget. The longer pre-construction phase was largely due to finance delays, but the project moved forward successfully once approvals were in place. The combination of a major builder for cost certainty and custom design approval for site fit gave her the best of both pathways.
- Builder type matched to project: major builder with custom design approval
- Project type: new home build
- Pre-construction timeframe: approximately 12 months
- Construction duration: approximately 8 months
- Land guidance provided before the block was committed to
- Custom design approval secured to suit a smaller block within budget
Key Takeaways
Lessons from this build
This project highlights how important it is to get the land decision right, especially for first home buyers. With the right support early on, it becomes much easier to move through both the land purchase and building process with confidence, even when working within tighter constraints.
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