Your home building journey starts here

Want to know more about what it’s like building with G.J. Gardner Homes? Discover everything you need to know about building a home, from the home building process to industry news and what to expect working with your local builder.

Featured Articles

• Steps to Site Preparation for Construction
  As the saying goes, you can’t build a great home on a weak foundation. At G.J. Gardner Homes, we are bringing joy back to the home building process by equipping our customers with the confidence and knowledge they need to begin building their dream homes. This helpful guide will detail the steps required to transform... Read more »...Read more
• Home Builder of the Year
  We are proud to announce that G.J. Gardner Homes have once again been recognised as the Australian National Builder of the Year by ProductReview.com.au. This award is a reflection of what we do, our approach and our customers. We want to inspire and amplify the amazing, emotional and joyful journey of actually building a home.... Read more »...Read more
• Australian Construction Material Supply Causing Delays for Home Builders
  As global construction booms, there has been a considerable amount of discussion recently regarding the rising cost of construction materials alongside resulting construction time delays.  In the endeavour of transparency, we are going to explain what is going on in the world at the moment and how this is affecting home builds across Australia. Is... Read more »...Read more
• The Home Building Process
  Your Building Journey The home building process can often feel a little daunting and stress-inducing, but at G.J. Gardner, we aim to bring the joy back into building your dream home. The G.J.Way is all about ensuring the home building process consists of a journey that excites and inspires. This is achieved through a lot... Read more »...Read more
• 64 Essential Questions to Ask Any Builder
  Before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, ask your builder the following questions. It could potentially save you thousands and avoid costly legal bills. Deposit and Pricing Questions Once your plans and detailed specifications are finalised, a reputable builder will prepare a contract. The contract should set out both parties’ responsibilities, and importantly,... Read more »...Read more

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Building a home can be a costly endeavour, and if you aren’t informed, you might come across a surprise cost or two. From information about First Home Owners Grants, house deposits, stamp duty, construction loans and more, you’ll find what you need to know about the cost to build here.

Featured Articles

• Interest Rate Increase: What It Means for Home Buyers?
  As had been widely predicted, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced a major increase in interest rates. After an all-time low, this increase marks a new experience for homebuyers in 2022. Changes to interest rates are a major influence on property cycles, as access to home loans and repayment are directly impacted.  As... Read more »...Read more
• How Much Does it Cost to Build a Home in Australia?
  If you’re looking to build a home in Australia – it would be ideal to have a guaranteed cost so you can begin budgeting and navigating the needed finances. But, as many will know, many factors are at play when trying to calculate the final cost of building a home that ascertaining a figure so... Read more »...Read more
• 2022- 2023 Federal Budget Changes
  With the handing down of the 2022 2023 budget, the federal government has once again allotted stimulus to supporting homeownership. This budget arrives in the wake of the pandemic, expanding prior homeownership programs and ultimately marking the end of some.  Home Guarantee Scheme First introduced in the 2017-18 federal budget, Home Guarantee Scheme is intended... Read more »...Read more
• Construction Loans Australia: What are they, and how do they work?
  Looking to build your dream home in Australia? If so, it is essential to understand the specific loans that can help you on your home building journey. What Is A Construction Loan? Construction home loans are a specific form of home loan intended for people commencing a new home build or undertaking major renovations instead... Read more »...Read more
• How Much Should it Cost to Customise a Standard Plan?
  If you’ve been browsing home designs online or visiting display homes, you will probably find yourself liking a bit of this and a bit of that—a bedroom from one display home and a bathroom from another. As an individual you have the right to change your plans to suit you and you shouldn’t be penalised... Read more »...Read more

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Are you thinking of building a home? The first step to choosing your home is understanding what type of land you have and what style of home best suits you. Learn more about home types, from single storey homes, split level homes, narrow homes, rear lane homes and more.

Featured Articles

• Five Bedroom Home Designs
  In the unprecedented times we’re experiencing, designing a home able to support lifestyle changes for yourself and your family is fundamental.  Five bedroom homes offer the luxury and flexibility of space to support your evolving home-life and family. From a multi-generational family arrangement or simply providing extra spaces for retreat, five-bedroom home plans can be... Read more »...Read more
• Single Storey vs Double Storey Houses.
  Should you build a single or double-storey home?   At the beginning of any new homebuyers’ journey, the decision on whether to build a single or double storey home is a major one that could impact your family’s lifestyle for years to come. It is essential to do your research before choosing the right house design... Read more »...Read more
• House and Land Packages – What You Need to Know.
  How Do House and Land Packages Work? Firstly, what is a house and land package? House and land packages combine home and land loans into one package to provide an easy and affordable way to find the best property to suit your needs – allowing a buyer to secure both a block of land and... Read more »...Read more
• Split Level Homes: Things You Need to Know
  If you’re looking to buy a sloping site, you’ve likely come across a range of home designs. But did you know that split level homes can be the most effective and sustainable way to build on an unlevel site? Learn more about the benefits, challenges and costs of building a split level home.  What Is... Read more »...Read more
• Rear Lane Designs: Why are they useful for narrow houses?
  Rear garage house plans are home designs usually built on narrow lots that have the garage and driveway accessible at the back of the property. Rear-loaded lots have no front driveways and garage doors are out of sight, making them a visually appealing choice. These homes are designed specifically with narrow rear access lots in... Read more »...Read more

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Have you chosen your block of land and are ready to start planning your home design and floor plan? Then you are in the right place. Learn more about how to choose the right floor plan for you, explore home design trends, key things to consider when planning your home and more.

Featured Articles

• COLORBOND Roofing Colours
   Over the past two years of confinement, our homes have become a time capsule of the many changes to our living styles. There is a renewed focus on our space with our homes becoming offices, workout spaces, our weekend away and our everyday. We have come to love our homes as they are or have... Read more »...Read more
• Multigenerational Home Designs
  Multigenerational households are a growing trend in Australia, and it’s changing the way we live and our requirements for home designs.  COVID-19 especially has pushed more families to live under one roof, meaning that the way families live and use the space in their home has changed. More time than ever before is being spent... Read more »...Read more
• What You Need to Know About Home Design Copyright
  When we think of copyright, we usually associate the term with the rules used to prevent unauthorised reproductions of music, sound recordings, films, and other broadcast recordings. However, home builders may not realise that copyright rules also extend to house designs. What is copyright? According to Australian Law, copyright is an automatic right, which protects... Read more »...Read more
• Connecting Indoor and Outdoor Spaces: Styling Tips for Your Home
  Considering the societal shift towards spending more and more time in the home, it can be especially important to feel as connected to nature as possible.  Not to mention the gorgeous Australian climate that makes us so inclined to embrace indoor-outdoor living in our homes. This is why so many Australians are looking to blend... Read more »...Read more
• Understanding a Floor Plan
  What is a floor plan? Floor plans are in-scale drawings from a perspective of the relationship between the different rooms, spaces, and any physical features of a single level of a building. This allows you to view the layout of the home and gauge the circulation and traffic flow. Dimensions are also often included in... Read more »...Read more

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With your floor plan chosen and initial plans underway, now comes all of the decisions that influence the look and feel of your new home. From choosing the right facade, to picking a paint colour, designing key rooms and choosing tiles, our Designing and Inspiration category will help you answer key questions, point you in the right direction and give insight into popular style choices.

Featured Articles

• Skillion Roofs
  The skillion roof style continues to grow in popularity as homes embrace modern and edgy facades. It’s likely you’ve seen a skillion roof recently but have yet to learn of its name.  A hallmark of Australian architectural design for suburban living, the skillion roof could be the perfect accent to elevate and modernise your home.... Read more »...Read more
• Your Guide to the Hamptons Style Kitchen
  When we think of our dream home, the designs and styles of the Hamptons often come to mind: expansive open plan living, airy spaces with natural light and earthy colour palettes.   Australian homes continue to embrace the Hamptons style, providing the perfect balance between comfort and contemporary design. The kitchen is the ultimate space to... Read more »...Read more
• The Best Features of a Hampton Home
  In recent years, Hamptons style homes have emerged as a beloved source of home inspiration – renowned for their innovative and classical features. Ultimately, the Hamptons style revolves around the feelings of calmness, charm & comfort.  Ideal for the Australian climate and lifestyle through their refined design elements, G.J. Gardner Homes has your guide to... Read more »...Read more
• How to Transcend Home Design Trends
  Designing a home is one of the most exciting, yet challenging projects we choose to take on in our lives. But falling into the trap of designing your home with current trends is something the majority are guilty of doing. Choosing to design with seasonal trends in mind can end up being a costly mistake.... Read more »...Read more
• Five Tapware Trends for 2022
  Tapware and fixtures are a pivotal part of any new bathroom or design and can be the focal point of the room. Choosing the right tapware can elevate or even change the overall aesthetic of your home, so it’s essential to do your research and make considered choices when selecting tapware.   With so many styles,... Read more »...Read more

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Creating a sustainable home is an important part of the building process for many Australians and our team here at G.J. Gardner Homes. From designing energy efficient homes, to our partnerships with community groups to reduce carbon emissions, learning more about solar panels and sustainable heating and cooling, you can find out more about making your build more sustainable.

Featured Articles

• Sustainable Home Trends 2022
  The future of the green living movement is only becoming more convenient and relevant for modern living.  Sustainable styles continue to dominate home design trends as we incorporate innovative and conscious features into our homes. For 2022, G.J. Gardner Homes forecasts conscious construction, sustainable materials and energy efficiency as the new frontier of home design.... Read more »...Read more
• How To Build A Sustainable Home
  Building a more sustainable home means making a contribution to improving the environment. But that’s not all. Eco-friendly home design can lower the cost of running your home, saving energy, water and maintenance on systems and appliances. From orientation to building materials and solar power, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to building... Read more »...Read more
• Solar Panels: Should I Add Them to My Home?
  What if you could power your home with 100% clean energy? Or stop paying expensive power bills once and for all?  It sounds too good to be true, but it’s the way of the future in Australia. An increasing number of homes throughout the country are installing solar panels. Regardless of whether a home is... Read more »...Read more
• G.J. Gardner Homes Works with Fifteen Trees to Reduce Carbon Footprint
  In close partnership with Fifteen Trees, G.J. Gardner works with community groups to give back to the environment.   For over nine years, our G.J. Gardner franchisees have worked closely with Fifteen Trees and local environmental groups to plant over 76,711  trees to reduce the overall carbon footprint created by building homes. Across Australia, our dedicated... Read more »...Read more
• Sustainable Heating and Cooling: Considerations for Your Home
  Depending where you live in Australia, it could be hot and dry today. If you live down south, perhaps it’s damp and cold? Or windy. Or hailing. Or maybe a dust storm is rolling through if you’re further inland. Regardless of where you stand on the climate change debate, one thing is certain: Australia is... Read more »...Read more

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Are you a first time home builder or thinking about building a home for the first time? Our first time builders category covers everything from our advice for first time home buyers, to how to save for a house deposit, government grants and more.

Featured Articles

• The House Building Process: Advice For First Time Buyers
  Building a house is one of life’s biggest projects and it’s incredibly rewarding to see your beautiful dream home take shape. Not many people do it more than once in their lifetime, and it can be a very daunting process, particularly if you are not familiar with the process of building a house. If you’re... Read more »...Read more
• 2022 First Home Loan Deposit Scheme: Are You Eligible?
  As part of the 2021-2022 Federal Budget, the federal government has committed to providing up to 10,000 Australians with support to purchase their first home sooner. The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme guarantees eligible applicants classified as ‘low and middle income’ to purchase a home with a deposit of as little as 5%. Quick Links... Read more »...Read more
• Want to Buy Your First Home in Your 20s? Here’s How.
  Forget jibes about smashed avocado or getting a good job. If you’re keen to get on the property ladder before you’re 30, such advice isn’t very helpful. If buying your first home in your 20s is on your to-do list, the following practical strategies will help you get there – no lectures about brunch in sight....Read more
• First Home Owners’ Grant New South Wales
  Designed to give prospective homeowners a boost, government grants for first home buyers can enable individuals to save thousands on the cost of their first property....Read more
• First Home Owners’ Grant Australian Capital Territory
  If you're a first-time buyer considering a property purchase in ACT, this guide is for you! Read on to find out more about the first home owners' grant....Read more

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Love where you live but not your home? Discover more about Knockdown Rebuilds and why they might be the right option for you. Learn about the benefits of a Knockdown Rebuild, costs, consideration and a step by step guide of the entire process.

Featured Articles

• Knock Down Rebuilds Vs Renovations
  Knock Down Rebuilds Vs Renovations – The Pros and Cons for Each If you are one of many homeowners who love your neighbourhood but not the house you live in, you will be facing the renovate or knock down dilemma. You will find yourself asking: do I undertake a major renovation to add to my... Read more »...Read more
• The Knock Down Rebuild Process: What to Expect
  If you like where you are currently living, but not the home you are in, a knockdown rebuild might be an appropriate solution for your family....Read more
• What A Knock Down And Rebuild Means For You
  A common misconception about knocking down and rebuilding your home on the same land, is that you have to pack yourself up, find another home and be miles away from the property you have fallen in love with. The idea feels daunting and suddenly the process begins to feel more difficult than you imagined. We understand... Read more »...Read more
• Thinking of Rebuilding? How Much Does it Cost to Demolish a House?
  What do you need to consider when demolishing a house? How much does a mouse demolition cost? Read on to find out more....Read more

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