Turning an empty block into your dream home takes serious planning and patience, but the results can be life-changing if you’re up for the challenge.

Most homeowners who build only do it once. Ian and Carmel Spence have jumped in the deep end no less than four times, with plenty of lessons learned along the way.

The couple’s most recent move brought them from Bungendore to north Canberra, where they settled on a greenfield block close to family. It seemed like the perfect spot, until builder after builder refused to touch the site.

Enter the Spences’ first tip: if you want to build from scratch, you better be ready to problem-solve.

“The land you decide to build on will determine what’s possible in your design. In our case, that meant dealing with a steep slope and rocky ground,” Ian says.

“While Carmel and I were prepared to use that slope to our advantage, most of the builders we spoke to weren’t.

“We had to search around town, but eventually found the right builder in Sunny Homes. Sunny enjoys working with sloped blocks and believed in our vision. We knew he would do the block justice.”

Struggling to come up with a concept? Start by going for a drive to look at other custom builds in the area. Design magazines, display homes and builder portfolios are great sources of inspiration.

Ian and Carmel decided to use one of their builder’s designs as a base and customise it to suit.

“A few of our additions included cavity doors to maximise space, floor-to-ceiling tiles in the main bathroom and ensuite for easy cleaning, attic storage in the garage and extra power points throughout. These seem simple but make a huge difference for our comfort and convenience,” Ian says.

“Think about what you need first, then add what you want. Consider the future as well. Features for ageing in place were important to us, as well as having plenty of room for the grandkids to visit.”

Just a few must-haves for any modern home include enough bedrooms and bathrooms for the household plus guests, a functional floorplan, plenty of natural light, space for outdoor entertainment and one or two multipurpose rooms – think a rumpus or home office that can become a nursery later.

Nice-to-haves will vary depending on your budget and interests. Wine cellars, butler’s pantries, zoned sound systems, pools and spas, underfloor heating and solar energy systems are all popular additions.

Don’t forget block access, parking, security and storage.

This is Carmel’s dream kitchen, complete with pendant lighting, island bench seating and a handy butler’s pantry. Photo: Sunny Homes.

All new Australian homes must have at least seven-star energy efficiency. Quality materials go a long way here, but there are plenty of other features to consider: orientation, double glazing, insulation, integrated energy-efficient appliances … throw in smart-home automation and you’ll future-proof your property even further.

Most custom home projects take six months to a year to complete, but that timeframe can quickly blow out. Thanks to careful planning and regular check-ins with Sunny Homes, Ian and Carmel’s build stayed bang on time and budget.

The couple ended up with a four-bedroom, two-bathroom red brick home that looks great, doesn’t cost too much to run and stays warm and comfortable no matter what the weather’s doing.

“We love our house. It’s just the right size, so welcoming and easy to maintain,” Ian says.

“Our landscaped backyard is nice and spacious, with veggie gardens and an alfresco entertainment area with its own BBQ and pizza oven. It’s perfect for when our family comes over. We’ve made loads of happy memories here.”

The Spences’ most important piece of advice is to choose your builder wisely. Avoid any builder who pressures you to buy or provides quotes that lack detail. Make sure they’re properly registered, insured and have a strong portfolio.

“Always ask for references. Remember that your builder works for you, not the other way around,” Ian says.

“Check their subcontractors’ reputation too. Having professional, friendly tradies who took pride in their work made a real difference. It’s been a few years now since we got the keys to our place and we haven’t had a single issue.

“Above all, look for someone you gel with! They might be an awesome builder, but if they can’t get their head around your dream, they aren’t the one for the job.”

For more information, visit Sunny Homes.