We'd be lying if we said that there's not some truth to the idea that it costs more to have a house designed for you by an architect or building designer. What a lot of people don't really take into account though, is that it's likely to add a considerable amount of value in the long term (both financial and emotional) if it's done well.

A house that's designed specifically around your block of land and your needs has the potential to use far less energy too. Most building designers and residential architects can work within a budget - well worth investigating, you might be surprised at what comes out of it!

Darcy Wilson
Editor - Build
www.build.com.au