Build Your Dream Home in Stages

The following plans show an example of the popular Pavilion Staged Home. Building in stages is a clever concept that can save you heaps of money and make building your own home a whole lot easier. It's quite straightforward to do and on this page we highlight the advantages and take you through two examples of staging using a Pavilion and Homestead style home. Each example has an infinite range of possibilities and with a Post & Beam design there are no load bearing walls so so it's easy to make changes if you want to tweak the original design later on.

Staging involves envisioning your dream home ... then logically dividing it into distinct stages. Your home can then be built one stage at a time... as the time and money become available, in sync with your increasing salary curve and your family's developing needs. In effect you design what you want and build what you need and the final home looks like it was originally built as a complete project.

Example of Staged Pavilion House Design

EXAMPLE STAGE 1 MODULE 6
Size: 82.3 sq m (8.9 squares)

 Typically people have changing requirements of the home they live in. For example, a newly married couple may only require modest living arrangements, say one or two bedrooms, a living room a kitchen, bathroom, toilet and laundry. This is just one example and the variations are infinite. Here we have a compact first stage with large living area, functional galley kitchen and two large bedrooms. Effect could be changed by addition of kitchen garden window or bay windows, etc.

EXAMPLE STAGE 2 MODULE 4
Size: 55.5 sq m (6.0 squares)
Total Size: -137.8 sq m(14.9 squares)
This pavilion addition is the children's area. It is joined to the "core" house by on accessway which can provide an extra entry area from the optional carport. An upstairs loft with dormer window can also be included to provide an additional bedroom, study or play area. When Stage 2 is added, the bedroom 2 walls in the original house are removed to provide a huge central living area. The two separate pavilions provide the ultimate in casual "zoned" living, ensuring that kids and parents can enjoy their own privacy when needed, yet gather together in the central living area for meals or family gatherings.

EXAMPLE STAGE 3 MODULE 4
Size: 55.5 sqm (6.0 squares)
Total Size: -193.3 sq m (20.9 squares)

Later, as children grow into teenagers, most families find they need "zoned living areas" where the differing relaxation needs of family members can be accommodated. This pavilion addition is a parent's retreat with en-suite. This provides for intimate winter evenings around an open fire, or a lounge area when friends drop in. The bedroom 1 walls in the "core" house can be easily removed to provide a dining alcove adjacent to the kitchen. This 3-stage house provides privacy and separateness when required, yet also easily accommodates combined family living. The pavilion units give interesting variations in roof lines. Outside entertainment areas are also sheltered from the elements.

Example of a Homestead Staging Design

EXAMPLE STAGE 1 MODULE 6
Size: 82.3 sq m (8.9 squares)
First stage is compact, with family and living areas providing a buffer between the two bedrooms. Open plan alcove kitchen adds to effect of space.

EXAMPLE STAGE 2 MODULE 4
Size: 53.6 sq m (5.8 squares)
Total Size: 13518 q m (14.7 squares) When the time comes to extend, the bedroom 2 walls are removed and the children's area added. This addition provides a huge rumpus/games area for the kids with two large bedrooms and a shared en-suite. There is a logical zoning of the adult and children's areas and the living room is now a huge.

EXAMPLE STAGE 3 MODULE 3
Size:40.2 sq m (4.3squares)
Total Size:176.1 sq m (19.0 squares)
The final stage provides the parent's special area with its own en-suite and walk-in robes. The original bedroom 1 wall is removed, providing a spacious living area to accommodate the whole family or keep it to create a fourth bedroom or office. The retreat area allows mum and dad a special night together around a cosy open fire.

Advantages of Staging

Staging is a fantastic solution to the changing needs of your family and it has many advantages.

• You can develop your home as your family's living space requirements develop. 
• Your first house stage is completed quicker so you can move in fast and save money on rent.
• You can develop your home in sync with your "salary curve'.
• You save a lot of money on your home loan because you only develop and pay for the sections as you need them. This saves tens of thousands of dollars in interest.
• Later, you don’t need to sell and move just because you’ve outgrown your home. Simply close off the unused areas temporarily. This saves tens of thousands again on buying and selling costs like stamp duty and agents fees.
• Another benefit of not needing to sell to upsize is that it enables you and your family the opportunity to build stronger ties in your local community. This can be really great for children in particular who can create long strong friendships growing up.
• Constructing the second or subsequent stage of your home is usually easier. Whereas there are often very important reasons to finish the first stage of your home quickly (moving out of a rented house, a new baby on the way, etc.) the second stage can be done as time and money allow.
• When the time comes to build your next home stage, you don't have to travel to the site so inclement weather delays are diminished and you can take full advantage of the available sunlight and daylight saving.
• Often building a home can be stressful because your budget is stretched, but with staging you can plan for what you want and get there without stressing your budget.