kate & dion's DIy kit homes sorrento
We would like to congratulate our customers Kate & Dion for selecting the Kit Homes Sorrento design for their project near Golden Valley, TAS.
Video Transcript
Kate and Dion talk about choosing the Sorrento design for their kit home project in Golden Valley, Tasmania.
So we have an absolutely magic piece of land in Tasmania that we’ve been wanting to build something on, and we really, really like this design. So, you know, this is going to be a bit of a retreat for us, which will be great. And at some point down the track, when we both sort of change gears in terms of the work that we do, we might even see ourselves down there for a few months at a time.
And what we loved about your design is that it’s a very difficult remote site and modular solution is not really easy to do. We can’t crane things in. We can’t get a semi-trailer in there. And when this design popped up on my screen, I was overjoyed because it can be delivered more in a flat pack style.
And just a compliment I’d like to pay iBuild is that we must have contacted, how many? 10, 15 different providers of kit homes or modular homes and iBuild’s system and approach is far and away the most sophisticated and professional. So, well done.
I have to admit that the maturity of this particular design that we really like, in comparison to the cost, it’s a very affordable – the product that you’re getting for the cost that you’ve applied is, it’s a great deal, basically. And it certainly put iBuild well ahead of anyone else that we were talking to.
Also, just something that’s a good net positive for me as well is that the cladding that you’ve chosen for this design works really well with the fire rating of our property as well. And the fact that you’ve got a buying relationship with James Hardie, so there’s other materials that we want to use in terms of the decking that we’re going to be putting on that side. That’s a plus as well. We didn’t actually have to make that adjustment. It was already, oh, this is within the ratings for us.
We work in infrastructure, Jackson. So yes, we work in civil infrastructure. That’s our domain. We do a lot of EIS and complicated approvals, but we don’t build houses for a living, so we’ll rely on your knowledge.
No, look, you know, we were impressed before, we’re even more impressed now. I think I can speak for both of us. Yeah, really great. So, yeah, I really appreciate it. And to be frank, very excited about the journey.
A Holiday Haven - Tasmania’s first Sorrento Build
Located in Golden Valley, a remote corner of Tasmania’s central north, Kate and Dion Wright’s project is about creating something truly special – a place to escape, gather, and recharge.
"We have an absolutely magical piece of land in Tasmania that we've been wanting to build something on."
With quotes from Tasmanian architects and builders reaching close to a million dollars for a two-bedroom cabin with site costs, Kate and Dion needed a smarter path – one that delivered quality without the extraordinary price tag.
Their search took them through 10 to 15 providers before iBuild stood out clearly from the rest.
"Of the 10 to 15 different providers of kit homes or modular homes we contacted, iBuild's system and approach are by far the most comprehensive and professional. We also found iBuild to be the most responsive to our initial contact."
Design maturity and affordability sealed the decision
"The maturity of this particular design in comparison to the cost - it's a very affordable product and it looks great – it’s a home and not a modular box. It certainly put iBuild well ahead of anyone else we were talking to."
A final and unexpected bonus was the cladding – already meeting the required fire rating of their property, and matching materials they had independently planned to use.
"The cladding chosen for this design works really well with the fire rating of our property. We didn't actually have to make that adjustment - it was already within the ratings for us."
Kate and Dion chose the Sorrento, which showcases an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. With it being one of the first designs from iBuild’s collaboration with James Hardie Design Studio – developed over hundreds of hours – the Sorrento’s flat-pack delivery system is perfectly suited to their difficult and remote Tasmanian site, where cranes and semi-trailers can’t reach. With their site survey already locked in for April, the project is moving forward with real momentum.
As senior professionals in Australia’s civil infrastructure industry with decades of combined experience in the sector, Kate and Dion know what good project management and quality construction looks like. They are not easily impressed.
After comparing over a dozen providers and facing quotes that made building feel out of reach, Kate and Dion found in iBuild a team and a system more than capable of handling the challenge of their remote Tasmanian site. Convinced enough to sign the preliminary agreement, pay the preliminary design fee and request iBuild’s assistance with the Council approval process, their welcome onboarding session with iBuild’s co-founder and Managing Director Jackson Yin and the project team via Google Meet only made them more certain they’d made the right call.
"We were impressed before, we're even more impressed now. Really excited about the journey."
Now set to become the very first Sorrento ever built in Tasmania, Kate and Dion’s build is sure to be stronger, smarter, faster, and more affordable than anything else on the island.
KIT HOMES PHOTO ALBUM
Click on the Facebook Album to check out this project’s progress.
