When you're building a new home, it's easy to get swept up in floor plans, appearance options, and inclusion lists.
But a bigger decision lies behind all of that: who you actually choose to build your dream property?
The reality is that while the visible aspects like floor plans are simple to compare, the quality factor can be a lot harder to spot.
When it comes to thinking long-term for your new home, materials are an important choice.
Why material selection matters when building a home
There's no doubt that quality materials look better and help a household its value long-term, but that's not all they do.
They are also integral factors for how your home withstands harsh weather, keeps maintenance costs down, and they can end up saving owners from expensive fixes years down the track.
That's exactly what Home Group has built its reputation on over its three decades in operation across Australia, spending years constructing homes across Victoria and perfecting the art of choosing the right material for the situation.
Home Group Marketing Manager Chris Mansfield says quality materials are now becoming more important than ever as more buyers look past the advertised sticker price and instead focus on what a home will actually provide them down the track.
"For us, it simply comes down to people. We're building someone's biggest investment," he notes.
"They’re hopefully going to live in this house for the next 10, 20, or 30 years – maybe for the rest of their life. Or, maybe it's an investment, but it's one of the biggest purchases someone is going to make in their life. So, we want these homes to truly stand the test of time."
Home Group uses their years of experience to create homes that buyers can rely on.
Quality built for Victorian conditions
One example of the quality approach in action is Home Group's use of roofing made from COLORBOND® steel.
Tried and tested in Australian conditions, Mr Mansfield says COLORBOND® steel offers long-lasting durability and ease of maintenance, with a wide range of colours and finishes designed to complement almost any style of home
"All our double-storey homes come standard with a roof made from COLORBOND® steel, and at the moment in Victoria, we're offering this as a free upgrade* for all our single-storey homes," he says.
"The street appeal is fantastic, and the range of colours and finishes gives customers the freedom to create a distinctive look that complements their home and reflects their personal style."
Materials like COLORBOND® steel offer a wide of colours and long-lasting durability.
The lifestyle value of a considered build
At the end of the day, it's the everyday stuff that matters most—whether you're buying your first home, growing into a bigger one, or trading up.
Mr Mansfield says a house should be about how it fits your routine, without sacrificing what actually works.
"We have a range of floor plans, over 50 in Melbourne across single- and double-storey homes,” he says. “But the big difference we provide to our customers is that we offer customisation on our floor plans free of charge.”
He highlights that alterations like wanting to expand the footprint of the main bedroom or create a butler’s pantry that better suits a buyer’s needs are all possible adjustments.
He even says that a customer can customise the number of bedrooms they want in a home and the Home Group team will “find a way to make it work.”
He adds that this also provides an opportunity for unique features like adding in a small office or prayer room.
"Pretty much anything within the four walls of the house can be changed and moved around to suit you," he says.