James's DIY KIT HOMES Orange
We would like to congratulate our customer James for selecting the Kit Homes Orange design for his project near Werribee, VIC.
Why Choose iBuild
At iBuild, we are proud to support customers who want greater control over their building journey especially those who choose to become owner-builders.
One of our recent success stories comes from James Zhao, an accountant who combined his strengths in budgeting and planning with our guidance to confidently build his own home using the Orange design.
Finding the Right Company
When James began his research, he carefully compared different companies online and read through countless customer reviews.
He wanted to work with a provider he could trust, one with a solid reputation and a proven track record of supporting clients. As he explored his options, he found that iBuild consistently stood out.
He noticed the large number of positive customer stories, the strong reputation built over many years, and the consistency of feedback from real clients who shared their experiences openly.
After evaluating the alternatives, he felt that iBuild offered the reliability, transparency, and level of support he was looking for.
Video Transcript
As a accountant, my job is accountant and for budgeting and planning it’s like very natural in my everyday life. So when I want to build a house, first I think maybe it’s a good way to build with my budgeting and planning and control over all the design cost and quality as well.Â
I searched on the website and compared with different companies and I feel this company has a very good reputation and from the stories from other customers and they share very good stories gave me confidence to build a house with iBuild.
I just searched on the website and compared with the different companies, I feel that iBuild is the best. first, it’s a good company reputation and there’s so many customer reviews and so many people share their stories. And also, I think what’s really good for iBuild is they have an owner-builder support program So I like to study new things.
I wanted to be owner builder as well and I think this is a good way to control all the cost, the quality and also fit our family style. give me very clear guidance and teach me how to become an owner builder, which course I should take, and whenever I ask I-Build questions, they always really want to help me. So this is very good for me to do the project. So that’s the reason I chose iBuild.
Orange design compared to other design I feel is the best balanced between my budget and also face the cost of requirement not exceeding 60 square meters. So that’s why I feel Orange is the best option for me.
Yeah, it’s just a little bit modification, but almost really very exactly the same as the original plan.
To be owner builder is not easy and there’s always some challenges like permits, approvals, and also I have to coordinate with different people like professionals, like engineers, surveyor, many people. But with my budgeting and planning skills and also with the iBuild continued support, I really have confidence to get everything well and to go through this project.
You know it’s very hard to get a permit sometimes and I asked help from iBuild and they gave me a very quick response and also with a very helpful practical solution. So whenever I ask questions they always very help me. I also send a lot of people come to help me. So finally everything goes well. I got the permit and I also get a very good suggestion from the suppliers like the surveyor and the engineering. So I know for every project there’s always something expected to happen.
I think first maybe the cost will be over budget and the second maybe the timeline will always delay. But I feel with my budgeting and planning skills and also with iBuild continuous support I feel I have a very good confidence to get through everything. and I think iBuild is the best company I choose.
Why the Owner-Builder Support Program Convinced Me
A major factor in James’s decision was our Owner-Builder Support Program. As someone who enjoys learning and developing new skills, he wanted to take on the owner-builder role so he could remain fully in control of the budget, the quality of the build, and the design choices that would shape his family’s lifestyle.
Throughout the process, our team provided clear guidance about what steps he needed to follow, which courses to complete, and what to expect at each stage of the owner-builder journey. Every time James reached out with questions, he received quick, practical, and genuinely helpful responses.
This level of support made him feel confident and well-prepared to manage the project.
Choosing the Orange Design
When selecting a home design, James chose the Orange design because it met both his planning requirements and his budget.
The home needed to be under 60 square metres, and the Orange design suited this perfectly while still providing a functional layout that aligned with his family’s needs.
He made only very minor adjustments to the original plan since the standard design already worked extremely well for his purpose.
Overcoming Owner-Builder Challenges
Like many owner-builders, James faced challenges during the permit and approval stages, which are often the most stressful parts of any build. He had to coordinate with engineers, surveyors, and various professionals, and the process at times felt overwhelming.
Whenever he encountered difficulties or needed clarification, our team responded quickly and offered practical, solution-focused guidance.
We also introduced him to reliable suppliers and engineering professionals who helped streamline the more technical aspects of the approvals. With persistence and the right support, James successfully secured his permit and felt confident moving forward.
Kit Homes Photo Album
Want to see the progress for yourself?
Visit our Facebook Album to view the construction journey of James’s Orange. From the foundation to near-completion, follow along as we help turn his dream into reality.
