Kit Homes Ringwood East

Building for Three Generations
Why Chengbo Cai Chose iBuild for His Family’s Future

In Ringwood East, a Melbourne suburb located 26 km east of the CBD within the City of Maroondah, engineer Chengbo Cai set out to design a dwelling that balances practicality with the warmth of family living.

It isn’t just about adding square metres – it’s about creating living space for family to live comfortably together. With two children and parents regularly visiting, their existing 1950s weatherboard felt crowded. Chengbo wanted a practical solution: a granny flat that would give everyone space while keeping family close.

“My parents-in-law and my parents sometimes come to live with us,” Chengbo explains. “Our house gets very crowded, so we wanted to extend some living space for them. That’s why we decided to have a granny flat in the backyard.”

Chengbo began his search by looking at traditional granny flat builders but was taken aback by the high costs. As an engineer who understood the importance of permits and quality, he shifted his search online to “kit homes”.

“Then iBuild popped out and it caught my eye,” he recalls. “The one thing that was attractive to me was that they have been established for 11 years and have won lots of design awards. I feel like this is a company that is very reliable.”

This initial confidence was reinforced during his conversations with iBuild’s Customer Engagement Specialist, Mark.

Mark provided the engineering-level detail Chengbo was looking for, explaining the superior durability of Australian-made materials compared to cheaper overseas alternatives. He also offered practical guidance on valuable upgrades like insulation and double-glazed windows, helping Chengbo tailor the design to his family’s needs and budget.

The final step was a visit to the iBuild office in Mulgrave. After meeting with the team at Head Office and witnessing their operation firsthand, Chengbo’s decision crystallised. Impressed by their reliability and expertise, he signed the Preliminary Agreement and made his deposit payment on the spot to commence the design process. 

“My wife said, ‘Oh, that sounds like a very good company you found. Good job!’” he laughs. “When I make my wife happy, it’s a very good decision.”

To create the perfect space, Chengbo chose iBuild’s Armidale design. Its narrow five-metre width was an ideal fit for his backyard, but he knew a key modification was needed. By adding a second bathroom – a crucial feature for comfort and privacy – he would transform the plan into a truly self-contained second home, perfectly suited to his goal of providing independent living for his parents.

Now, with a clear design in hand and the support of the iBuild team, Chengbo is ready to move forward as an owner-builder, using his engineering background to construct the kit himself alongside his father. With iBuild’s proven designs and expert guidance, they are turning that vision into reality, demonstrating that they can build a home that is stronger, smarter, faster, and more affordable.