Phillip's DIY Custom KIT HOMES
We would like to congratulate our customer Phillip for selecting the Custom Kit Homes design for his project near Gembrook, VIC.
Why Choose iBuild
Building Big
From 36m² Studio to 5-Bedroom Family Home
From 36m² Studio to 5-Bedroom Family Home
Gembrook is a small town in the Dandenong Ranges, approximately 55 kilometres south-east of Melbourne’s CBD. On a 4.2-hectare bush block, Phillip Sezonenko and his wife Claire Pascual are building the next chapter for their young family. For now they’re in a 36 m² off-grid studio with two little ones, and the crunch is coming: more space for day-to-day life, and a proper guest room so visiting relatives aren’t bunking in the old caravan.
“We’ve got two small kids in a 36 m² off-grid studio… it’s going to get a bit small in the next year or two, especially with family visiting for months at a time.”
After nearly two years of sketching and research, Phillip knew exactly what he wanted – and what he didn’t. Having looked at other kit suppliers, his decision to choose iBuild came down to timber-frame capability, cost-effectiveness and straight communication.
“Just internet search, trying to save money on the build. We spent the main portion of our budget on the land, so we needed to save some money – a kit home felt more affordable.”
For Phillip – a plumber who also works in HVAC – the technical details mattered. He’s aiming for a high-performance envelope with 140 mm studs for better insulation and thermal performance, which aligns with his preference for timber.
“You guys offer both steel and timber… having that flexible option really helped.”
Beyond specifications, Phillip appreciated the straightforward, no-nonsense approach from iBuild’s team.
“Rick seems like a normal person. It’s not like someone in a suit trying to sell a fantasy – he just talks to you like a normal person. It’s a good feeling.”
Working with iBuild’s design team, Phillip is shaping a custom double-storey 5-bedroom family home after nearly two years of planning – refining passive-house ambitions into a high-performance, affordable build that stays off-grid. Trade-led choices and an elevated subfloor suit the sloped bush block while keeping comfort, energy efficiency and cost in balance.
From tiny studio to family home, Phillip and Claire are building what they’ve carefully planned. With iBuild’s timber frame options, flexible approach, and honest communication, they’re creating the space their young family needs – stronger, smarter, faster, and more affordable.
“ Affordability, flexibility, and straight communication made iBuild the pick. With most of our budget in the land, the kit pricing and the flexibility to choose timber or steel worked for us. Another factor that sealed it was Rick from the iBuild team - not pushy, just a normal bloke who gave clear answers and let us make the call. Fair pricing and plain talk - that’s why we went with iBuild.
Kit Homes Photo Album
Click on the Facebook Album to check out this project’s progress.