services@gwsbuild.com.au
18/12-20 Lawrence Drive, Nerang QLD 4211, Australia
A brand-new four-bedroom family home designed around light, space and everyday livability. GWS Build managed the project from the first site meeting through to handover — coordinating the design, engineering and trades to deliver a high-quality finish on time and on budget. Large glazing to the northern side, an open-plan kitchen and living zone and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow make this home work hard for a growing family.
The block sloped more than the survey first suggested, and the soil report called for engineered piers that were not in the original budget. On top of that, the clients wanted full-height north-facing glazing — the single most expensive item on their wish list — without blowing the price of the build.
We reworked the design into a gentle split-level layout that followed the natural fall of the block, cutting excavation costs and turning the slope into a design feature. For the glazing, we value-engineered the specification — keeping the large openings the clients loved while selecting frames and glass that met their budget. Mid-build design changes were handled through our transparent variation process, with costs approved in writing before any work proceeded.
The home was handed over on schedule, with the split-level living areas becoming the feature the family now shows off to visitors. The engineered foundation has performed flawlessly, the glazing keeps the living areas bright without overheating, and the clients have since referred two neighbours to us — the strongest outcome a builder can ask for.
If there is one lesson to take from this build, it is that the soil report is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy. Everything that made this project run well — the split-level redesign, the honest glazing conversation, the calm handling of client changes — flowed from knowing exactly what the block was before the price was fixed. Our advice to any family planning a new home: get the site investigated properly first, choose your must-haves early, and insist on a builder whose variations process is written into the contract, not improvised on site.
Every home we build starts with a conversation. Tell us what you are planning and we will show you how we would approach it.