Building a custom home

Building a custom home is a highly personalised process, so the cost can vary widely. Factors that influence the cost include the size of your home, the complexity of the design, the level of finishes, and the site conditions. For example, a luxury two-story home with high-end fixtures on a steep Mount Martha block will cost more than a modest single-story house on a flat Mornington site. Key cost factors to consider include:

Home size and design complexity:

Larger homes or those with unique architectural features (like multiple levels or custom layouts) will generally cost more.

Materials and finishes:

Premium materials (stone countertops, hardwood floors, custom cabinetry, etc.) and luxury fixtures add to the cost, while more standard finishes can keep the budget lower.

Site conditions:

The land itself can impact cost. Building on a sloping or difficult block may require extra engineering, excavation, or retaining walls. Likewise, poor soil quality or tricky access to the site can increase construction costs.

Special features:

Extras such as swimming pools, basements, extensive landscaping, or eco-friendly technology (solar panels, water tanks) will also affect the total price.

At Flack Built, we work closely with you to establish a realistic budget for your project. We provide a detailed, transparent quote so you understand exactly what is included. As a custom home builder, we typically offer a fixed-price contract once the design and specifications are finalised. This means you won’t get nasty surprises during the build. We also help you make important design and material decisions early on, which keeps your budget on track and avoids last minute changes. In short, the cost of building your dream home in Mornington, Mount Martha or the greater Mornington Peninsula will depend on your choices, but we ensure it aligns with your goals and delivers excellent value for your investment.

Building a new home with Flack Built is a streamlined, step by step process from initial idea to handing over the keys. We guide you through each stage to make the experience clear and stress free. Here are the main steps in our custom home building process:

Initial Consultation:

We start with an obligation-free consultation to discuss your vision, requirements, and budget. This is where we get to know your goals, whether it’s a modern family home in Mornington or a coastal retreat in Mount Martha, and explain how our process works.

Design & Planning:

Next, our team (including our in-house designer) works on the concept and architectural plans for your custom home. We conduct a site assessment, survey your land, and create initial designs or adapt plans you already have. We’ll also provide preliminary cost estimates at this stage. You’ll have the opportunity to refine the design until it’s exactly what you want, including all the custom features and layout preferences for your new home.

Permits & Approvals:

Once you’re happy with the plans, we handle all necessary approvals. This includes preparing documentation and submitting plans to the Mornington Peninsula Shire (or relevant council) to obtain any required planning permits. We also coordinate the building permit through a registered building surveyor. If your project is a knockdown rebuild, we’ll secure demolition permits as well. Our familiarity with local building regulations and council processes helps move this stage along as smoothly as possible.

Construction & Project Management:

With permits in place, construction begins. Flack Built’s experienced construction team and trusted tradespeople will build your home to the highest quality standards. We assign a dedicated project manager who oversees every aspect of the build. Throughout construction, we keep you updated with regular progress reports, on site walkthroughs, and open communication. You’ll see your custom home take shape step by step, and we encourage your involvement, if you have questions or decisions to make, we’re here to help.

Handover & Aftercare:

Once the build is complete, we conduct a final walkthrough and detailed inspection with you. We make sure every detail meets our quality benchmarks and your expectations. We then hand over the keys to your brand-new custom home! But our service doesn’t end there, we brief you on warranties and maintenance, and our team remains available for any support you need post build. We even schedule a follow up check in (for example, at the 12-month mark) to ensure everything in your home is performing as it should.

From start to finish, Flack Built’s process is designed to be clear, professional, and client focused. We take care of the hard work permits, coordination, construction while keeping you informed and involved. Our goal is to make building your custom home in Mornington, Mount Martha and across the Mornington Peninsula an exciting and enjoyable journey.

The timeline for building a custom home can vary depending on the project, but generally you should expect the process to take around 12 to 18 months from start to finish. This timeline includes the design, approval, and construction phases. Here’s a breakdown of what affects the schedule:

Design and Planning (2–4 months):

Creating a custom home design, finalising plans, and making selections can take a few months. The timeframe here depends on how complex your design is and how quickly decisions are made. Flack Built’s in house design team works efficiently with you to minimise delays during this stage.

Permits and Approvals (1–3 months):

Obtaining planning permission (if required) and the building permit can add some time. In the Mornington Peninsula region, a straightforward planning approval might be done in a matter of weeks, but if there are special site considerations or design modifications needed for council approval, it could take a couple of months. We manage the paperwork and liaise with the council to keep this process as smooth as possible.

Construction (6–12 months):

Once we start construction, the time to build your home will depend on the size and complexity of the build. A simpler single story home might be finished in about 6-8 months of building work, whereas a larger or architecturally intricate home (or a home on a challenging site) could take 10-12 months or more. Factors like weather and site conditions in Mount Martha, Mornington and the greater Mornington Peninsula can also influence the construction schedule (for example, heavy winter rains might slow down some outdoor work, but we plan for seasonal conditions).

Handover and Finishing Touches (few weeks):

After the main construction is done, there’s a short period for final inspections, touch ups, and obtaining the occupancy certificate. We walk you through your new home to ensure everything is completed to your satisfaction.

In summary, once design and permits are ready, the actual building of a custom home typically takes around 9 to 12 months for most homes on the Mornington Peninsula. More elaborate projects can extend beyond a year. Flack Built is committed to delivering on our promised timeline, we create a detailed construction schedule and coordinate trades closely to finish your home on time. Throughout the project, we keep you updated on progress, so you’ll always know what to expect at each stage and when you can plan to move into your new home.

A knockdown rebuild is a project where an existing house is demolished (“knocked down”) so that a new home can be built from scratch on the same plot of land. This is a popular option for homeowners who love their location. An example of this, say you have a great block in Mornington or Mount Martha but want a brand-new, modern house without moving elsewhere. Instead of renovating an old structure, a knockdown rebuild lets you start fresh with a custom home designed to your needs, while keeping the address and land you cherish.

So yes, Flack Built absolutely handles knockdown rebuild projects on the Mornington Peninsula. In fact, many of our clients choose this route to get their dream home in established suburbs. When you engage us for a knockdown rebuild, we manage the entire process from start to finish.

This includes:

obtaining the necessary demolition permits, safely demolishing and clearing the old structure, and then designing and constructing your new custom home on the cleared site. We take care of all council requirements for demolition and construction, ensuring everything is done legally and safely.

Our team has experience with the extra considerations a knockdown rebuild can involve, such as disconnecting services, recycling materials where possible, and minimising disruption to neighbouring homes during demolition. Once the site is prepared, we transition seamlessly into the build phase of your new home. The benefit of using Flack Built for a knockdown rebuild is that we handle every aspect in house, you won’t need separate contractors for demolition and building. The process is efficient and coordinated, saving you time and stress.

If you’re considering a knockdown rebuild in Mornington, Mount Martha, or anywhere on the Peninsula, we can help you evaluate your current property and create a plan to replace it with a beautiful new custom home. It’s an excellent way to achieve a modern, energy efficient house in a location you love, and Flack Built will ensure the project is smooth and successful from demolition to grand opening of your new front door. If your looking to get a knockdown rebuild done or just want some advice we would be happy to help you out!


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Yes! Flack Built has the expertise to build on sloping, steep, or otherwise challenging blocks. Many areas in the Mornington Peninsula (like parts of Mount Martha, Red Hill, Mornington or Arthurs Seat) have hills or varied terrain, and we are very familiar with designing and constructing homes on such sites. A difficult block doesn’t mean you can’t have your dream home; it just means careful planning and the right builder are essential.

When building on a sloping or irregular block, there are a few key considerations and requirements:

Site analysis and engineering:

We will conduct a thorough site analysis including soil tests and contour surveys. The engineering of the foundation and footings will be tailored to your land’s conditions. For example, a steep slope might require split-level design, stumps, piers, or retaining walls to create a stable base for the home. Our team works with experienced engineers who design safe, durable solutions for hillside construction.

Design adaptation:

A big advantage of choosing a custom builder like us is that we can adapt the home design to suit the land. Instead of forcing a flat project-home design onto a slope (which can cause costly earthworks), we design your home to work with the natural gradient. This might include features like garages under the house, terraced outdoor areas, or staircases that follow the slope. The result is a home that not only sits comfortably on your block but also maximizes views and natural light (a common reason people love sloping blocks!).

Council regulations:

Sloping sites sometimes come with additional council regulations or overlays – for instance, there may be rules about building height, stormwater management, or vegetation removal on the Mornington Peninsula. Flack Built’s local knowledge helps in navigating these requirements. We’ll handle any needed planning permissions related to the site’s slope or soil conditions.

Access and construction approach:

We also plan for site access and construction logistics. Challenging blocks might require specialised machinery or staging areas for materials. Our project team will map out how to efficiently and safely build on your site, including mitigating any risks (like erosion control during the build). This planning ensures the project runs smoothly despite the terrain.

In short, there is no one-size-fits-all land requirement for building a custom home – even if your land is steep or oddly shaped, we can likely build a great home on it. Flack Built welcomes the challenge of unique sites and has a strong track record of successful builds on difficult blocks. We will advise you upfront on any site specific considerations and costs, so you know what to expect. With the right design and structural solutions in place, a sloping block in Mornington, Mount Martha or the greater Mornington Peninsula can be the foundation for a stunning custom home.