Crowncon finished home — SE Bayside Melbourne
Our Process

How your home
gets built.

Building a custom home is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. We believe you should understand exactly what happens at every stage — and who's responsible for it. This is how Crowncon works.

01Consultation
02Design
03Contract
04Construction
05Handover
Registered Builder DB-U 67572 ACN 622 720 030 Est. 2017 Serving SE Bayside Melbourne
The Crowncon Difference

Most builders show up
after the plans are drawn.
We're there before them.

The single biggest mistake families make is locking in a design before talking to a builder. By the time the plans are finished, the budget has already blown out — and the builder they approach just confirms it.

Tim engages before you commit to anything. That means your design is shaped around a real, achievable budget from day one. No costly redesigns. No discovered surprises. No compromises you didn't agree to.

This is what we call builder-led design. It's a small shift that changes everything about your experience — and your outcome.

Tim Swindon, Crowncon Director, consulting with a client
01
Step One

Consultation —
we listen first.

The first conversation isn't a sales pitch. It's a genuine listen. Tim wants to understand your vision, your block, your family's needs, and your budget — before he says anything about what's possible. That honesty from the outset is what sets the whole build on the right footing.

What happens
Site visit or initial meeting with Tim
Budget conversation — real numbers, no platitudes
Preliminary feasibility for your block
Overview of council and planning requirements
What you get
A clear sense of what's achievable at your budget
Honest feedback — including what won't work
No obligation. No pressure.
Tim's direct contact number
Typically 1–2 meetings · 1–3 weeks
Custom kitchen design and selections — Crowncon build
02
Step Two

Design —
budget first, plans second.

We work with your architect or engage our design partners to develop plans that are genuinely buildable at your budget. Every design decision is made with Tim at the table — so the plans that go to council are the plans that get built, at the price that was quoted. Crowncon's partnership with Gallerie Design Studio means you also get a complimentary interior design consultation, bringing your home's interior to life before a single slab is poured.

What happens
Concept drawings and floor plan development
Budget aligned to design at every revision
Gallerie Design Studio interior consultation
Council planning and permit lodgement
What you get
A design you love that you can actually afford
Complimentary interior design session
Full understanding of the permit timeline
Preliminary fixed-price indication
Typically 6–16 weeks (permit dependent)
Crowncon finished home — the outcome of a clear, fixed-price contract
03
Step Three

Contract —
no surprises.

When we put a contract in front of you, there's nothing hidden in it. The scope is defined, the price is fixed, and the programme is committed to in writing. Tim won't sign off on a contract that has loose ends — because loose ends become expensive arguments later. You should know exactly what you're getting before you sign.

What happens
Final specifications and inclusions confirmed
Fixed-price contract issued (HIA or MBA)
Construction programme agreed and documented
Insurance and warranties confirmed
What you get
A price that doesn't change without your approval
A written timeline with stage milestones
Domestic Building Insurance coverage
Full inclusions schedule — nothing left vague
Typically 1–2 weeks to finalise and execute
Construction detail — Crowncon quality build
04
Step Four

Construction —
Tim on-site.

This is where the build happens — and where most clients with other builders start to feel left in the dark. Not here. Tim is on-site regularly throughout construction. You'll receive updates at every key stage. Our sub-contractors are held to committed period completions — a hard commitment written into their agreements, not a polite estimate that slips.

What happens
Demolition (if knockdown rebuild)
Slab, frame, lock-up, fit-out, finishes
Regular stage inspections with Tim
Premium inclusions installed: Caesarstone, Fisher & Paykel, Smeg
What you get
Proactive updates — you're never waiting to find out
Direct access to Tim throughout
Sub-contractor completion accountability
Quality checks at every stage before proceeding
Typically 6–12 months depending on scope
Alfresco living — Crowncon completed home handover
05
Step Five

Handover —
the start, not the end.

Handing over your keys is one of Tim's favourite moments in the whole build. But it doesn't mean we disappear. Every Crowncon home comes with a comprehensive defects warranty period, and Tim remains personally reachable if anything needs attention. The relationship you've built over the course of the project doesn't end at handover.

What happens
Final inspection walkthrough with Tim
Practical completion certificate issued
Key handover and home orientation
Defects liability period begins
What you get
Statutory warranty protection on your new home
All documentation, certificates, and warranties collated
Tim's number — still works after handover
A home built exactly as agreed
Defects period: 12 months post-handover
Budget Clarity
$0
in hidden variations when the scope is set correctly

Variations happen in custom building — but surprises don't have to. Tim's early engagement model means the budget is locked before the build, not discovered during it.

Builder at the design table

Tim reviews and prices your design as it evolves — so you never fall in love with something unaffordable.

Real-time cost transparency

Every change during design is costed before it's approved. You decide, informed.

Fixed-price contract

Once you sign, the number doesn't move unless you change the scope. That's the promise.

Common Questions

Things people ask before they get started

No — and in fact, talking to us before you commission any plans is strongly recommended. The most expensive thing families do is spend $15,000–$25,000 on architect's drawings before getting a builder's view on cost. We work with architects or introduce you to design partners who understand how we build. Either way, Tim is involved in the design process from the start, which means the plans that go to council are the plans you can afford.
For a knockdown rebuild or new custom home, you're typically looking at 18–24 months total — roughly 3–5 months for design and permits, then 10–14 months for construction. Development projects vary more depending on scope. These timelines can shift depending on council complexity and any client-driven design changes, but Tim will give you a realistic programme upfront rather than an optimistic one.
Variations during construction are managed honestly and transparently. If you want to change something after the contract is signed, Tim will give you a written variation quote — the cost and any programme impact — before any work proceeds. You approve it, or you don't. No retrospective charges, no awkward surprises at the end. We work hard in the design phase to minimise variations, but when they do come up, you're always in control.
Crowncon builds custom homes in the $700K–$1.5M range, with most knockdown rebuilds for SE Bayside families sitting in the $800K–$1.1M band. Development projects vary significantly with scope. We're a boutique builder — we're not trying to build as many homes as possible, and our pricing reflects the quality of the finish and the personal attention you receive. The first conversation is always about whether we're the right fit for your project and your budget.
Tim is your direct contact throughout. From the first meeting to the day you get your keys, you deal with Tim. You're not passed to a project coordinator you've never met. You're not left calling a head office. Tim answers his phone, responds to messages, and is on-site regularly — not occasionally. That's a deliberate choice about the kind of builder Crowncon is, and it's something we won't compromise on regardless of how busy we get.

We'd heard horror stories from friends who built with volume builders. With Tim it was the complete opposite — we always knew what was happening, the price didn't move, and he handed over our keys three weeks ahead of schedule.

S
Stacey S.
Knockdown Rebuild · Bonbeach
Start the Conversation

Ready to talk about
your home?

The first conversation is free, no-obligation, and genuinely useful. Tell Tim about your block, your vision, and your budget — and find out what's possible.

Premium inclusions, as standard
Caesarstone Fisher & Paykel James Hardie Smeg Velux