Designed for
your site
Sun, views, privacy, access and the shape of your section all help guide the design from the beginning.
Our Design Philosophy
Great design should make everyday life feel better, without letting the budget run away. That is why our designers and builders work together from the beginning. We shape the home around your site, your priorities and what you want to spend, refining the details early so the design stays exciting and the pricing stays grounded. The result is a clearer process, fewer surprises and a home that feels considered from the first sketch.
Clever design doesn’t have to mean a bigger budget. Our team knows where thoughtful choices can make the greatest difference, from smarter layouts and well-planned storage to materials, textures and details that give your home more character.
Your home does not have to start with a standard plan.
Some people bring us a favourite design to adapt. Others start with a blank page. Either way, we create a home around your style, your family, your section and your budget. There is often very little difference in cost between adapting one of our plans and designing from scratch. What matters is choosing the right starting point for you.
Our design approach
Personality & Functionality
Your home should reflect who you are and make everyday life feel effortless. Warm, welcoming and thoughtfully designed, with spaces that work beautifully, practical storage, and details that make coming home a pleasure.
Designed for
Light, warmth &
comfort
Spaces are positioned to make the most of natural light, warmth and the way you want to live every day.
Right-sized
spaces
More space is not always better. We plan each room around how it will actually be used.
Materials with
character
Textures, finishes and materials are chosen for beauty, durability and a home that feels distinctly yours.
Designed
for daily life
Storage, flow, sightlines and practical details are considered so everyday living feels easier.
Grounded
in reality
Our designers and builders work together from the start, shaping ideas around real costs so your budget goes further.
The Sentinel difference.
Choosing a nationwide team like Sentinel gives you the buying power, systems, and smoother process of a larger group, without the limitations people often expect from a group builder.
Your home won’t feel standard or formulaic. With Sentinel, you’ll have the freedom to craft a home around your property, your style, and the way you want to live, with the support of a local team who understands the value of great design.
Design FAQ
Common questions about building with Sentinel Homes.
How much does it cost to build a new home, and what is your rate per square metre?
Building costs depend on your location, design, specifications and site. A rate per square metre gives a rough guide, but homes of the same size can cost different amounts because of their shape, roof, glazing, finishes and foundations. Smart design can make your budget go further through efficient layouts, well-chosen materials and considered specifications. See our pricing page to find out more about what affects the cost.Once we’ve seen your section and talked through your ideas, we can give you a realistic starting point for your budget. Get in touch to arrange a free site check and ballpark estimate.
Can you design a home to suit my budget?
Yes. Tell us your overall budget early, including land and other project costs, so we can design towards it. Efficient layouts, a considered building shape and well-chosen materials and specifications can help your money go further. We’ll discuss your priorities and explain the trade-offs as the design and pricing develop.
What are the first steps to building a new house?
Start with your budget, your ideas and a conversation with your local Sentinel team. These five steps will help you get underway:1. Set a comfortable budget. Talk with your bank or mortgage adviser about what you may be able to borrow, allowing for land and the full project cost.2. Think about how you want to live. Note your must-haves, collect a few ideas and consider where you’d like to build.3. Talk to your local Sentinel team. Bring your ideas, indicative budget and any land information. We’ll help you explore what’s possible.4. Check the section before you commit. If you don’t already own land, get in touch to arrange a free site check before buying. We can help identify issues that may affect design and cost.5. Explore design and pricing. We’ll discuss suitable options and preliminary costs, then explain the design work, investigations and approvals needed.
How long does it take from the first meeting to moving into a new home?
The time from your first meeting to moving in depends on your site, design and the approvals needed. Before construction, we assess the section, develop your design, confirm pricing and finance, and obtain the necessary council approvals.Your local Sentinel team will map out the full programme: site investigations, design and selections, pricing, finance, council approvals, construction and handover. The pre-construction stages can take several months or longer, depending on the site, design and approvals. Subdivision also involves services and titles and needs its own programme. Ask your local team for a realistic timeframe from enquiry to moving in; construction time alone does not cover the whole process.
Do you offer fixed-price building contracts?
Yes. Sentinel generally offers fixed-price contracts ‘from slab up’: once the foundations are poured, the price for the agreed remaining construction work is fixed, subject to the contract’s terms.Ground conditions can reveal work that could not be confirmed beforehand. We’ll explain the groundwork and foundation estimate, allowances and responsibilities before you commit.Client-requested changes, exclusions and other adjustments allowed by the contract can still affect the total price. We’ll take you through these details before signing.
Do you offer free site checks and ballpark pricing?
Yes. Get in touch to arrange a free site check and ballpark pricing, with no obligation. This gives you early guidance; a detailed feasibility study, specialist reports and final building quote come later. We’ll explain any paid investigations or design work before you commit.
