Already have plans from an architect?
Good people. Real value. Incredible homes... Let's build yours.
START WITH DESIGN
Learn about our design process.
HAVE PLANS?
Submit your plans and we'll provide a cost estimate.
COST TO BUILD
Understand building costs and book a 15-minute budget check.
Architecturally designed homes, managed from concept to completion.
START WITH DESIGN
Learn about our design process.
HAVE PLANS?
Submit your plans and we'll provide a cost estimate.
COST TO BUILD
Understand building costs and book a 15-minute budget check.
30 years of designing and building custom homes.
You may have already worked with an architect, building designer or draftsperson to create plans for your home. That’s a great place to start. Now, you need the right builder to review the design, understand the scope and help move your project toward pricing, documentation and construction.
At Derbyshire, we’re happy to build from existing plans. We review the design through a builder’s lens, considering scope, site conditions, construction details and budget, so you can move forward with more clarity and fewer surprises.
With 30 years of experience across Geelong, the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula, our small family-run team works closely with clients, architects, engineers and trades to create custom homes that are thoughtful, functional and built to last.
How does it work?
- You come to us with your existing plans
- We review the design, documentation, site conditions and scope
- Derbyshire guides the next steps, helping you understand budget, buildability and what may be needed before construction
- We build a great home
OUR PROCESS
01 | 15 MINUTE DISCOVERY CALL
A quick chat about your project, your land and your budget, so we can understand your goals and see if we’re the right fit.
02 | INITIAL CONSULTATION
Join us for a coffee and a complimentary, pressure-free meeting where we talk through your vision, scope, budget expectations and how we work.
03 | DESIGN
Concept design, plans, renders and interior design, then we make your home buildable through pricing, engineering, detailed documentation and permits.
04 | BUILD
Watch your vision come to life. We work with trusted trades and our site supervisor ensures quality and progress on site.
What we do with your plans
When you bring your own plans to Derbyshire, we look at them through a builder’s lens.
That means we review the drawings, site conditions, construction details and overall scope to understand how the home may come together in real life. We’re looking for anything that may affect the build, the budget or the timeline, so you can move forward with more clarity before construction begins.
At this stage, your plans may not include engineering, full construction documentation, specifications or selections. That’s completely normal. Part of our role is to help identify what is still needed before the project can be accurately priced and prepared for building.
For some clients, this means moving forward with their original design and developing the documentation from there. For others, it may mean reworking parts of the plans or choosing to take a fresh look with our architect and construction team. Either way, the goal is to work together to land on the best possible outcome for your home, your site and your budget.
TESTIMONIAL
Scott & Sharon
“We had never built a home before, but Pete and his team at Derbyshire Homes made it such a stress-free and enjoyable experience. It was fantastic that Derbyshire worked closely with an architect and their interior designer, as this made the process seamless for us. We were involved in every step along the way and never felt pressured to go in a particular direction.
We are so happy with the beautiful home they designed and built for us. The building journey was 100% worth it, and we just love coming home every day to our beautiful home.”
A Practical Next Step
If you’d like a realistic range, we’re happy to help. Book a meeting or send through your query using the link below. We’ll come back to you with some guidance and an estimated budget to get things moving.
No obligation – just a clear range and path forward for your project.
BUILD PROCESS
Once your design, selections, plans and build documentation are finalised, our team begins bringing your home to life.
Your build is managed by the team in our office and dedicated site supervisor, who oversees the work onsite and ensures every stage meets the high standards we expect. We work with trusted trades who understand the level of care, quality and craftsmanship required in a Derbyshire home.
From site preparation through to handover, we carefully coordinate each stage of the build and keep you updated along the way. We also arrange site visits throughout the process, so you can see your home taking shape.
Want to understand the construction stages in more detail? Our full build process explains the standard payment stages, including base, frame, lock-up, fix and completion.
Derbyshire Story
Building a home should feel exciting. Too often, it feels stressful, generic and harder than it needs to be.
That is why Noel started Derbyshire Homes when he was still a young builder driving his old green kombi.
He saw an industry producing too many homes that felt like variations of the same thing. Too many clients were being pushed through a process that should have felt personal. Building a home should be something to be proud of.
Thirty years on, the industry still has the same problems. So we’re still here to do things differently.
At Derbyshire, we guide our clients through a design and build journey that is more personal, built on relationships and collaboration. We take the time to get it right and work closely with our clients, architects, engineers and trades to achieve the best outcome at every stage.
As a small family-run team, we take on a limited number of projects each year. That means every home gets the attention it deserves. We get deeply involved in every project, and that care shows in the final result.
Over 30 years, our approach has stayed clear:
- No wasted space. Every area should be functional and add value.
- Clear pricing. Comprehensive estimates based on current quotes help reduce budget blowouts.
- Strong trade relationships. When you work with good people and treat them well, the result is better workmanship.
- Design that reflects the client. Every client is different, and every home should be too.
- A better building experience. Building your home should feel exciting, and worth celebrating.
- Quality craftmanship the first time creates less work later.
Peter Derbyshire
Managing Director
FAQs
If your question is not shown below, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on (03) 5221 8409 or email us through our online enquiry form.
Can I bring my own architect’s plans?
Yes. We’re happy to work with existing plans from an architect, building designer or draftsperson. We review the drawings carefully before moving forward, looking at the scope, site conditions, budget, buildability and any details that may need further clarification.
Do my plans need to be finished before I speak with you?
No. You can come to us with concept plans, sketches, planning drawings or more detailed construction documentation. The earlier we’re involved, the easier it is for us to provide guidance around buildability, budget and the next steps required.
What do you look for when reviewing my plans?
We review your plans through a builder’s lens. That means looking at how the home will come together on site, whether the documentation is clear, what may affect pricing, and whether there are any construction details, engineering requirements, site conditions or allowances that need to be considered before the project moves forward.
Can you price my existing plans?
Yes, once we understand the scope and have enough detail to work from. If your plans need more documentation before accurate pricing can be prepared, we’ll let you know what is required and help guide the next steps.
What if my plans are over budget?
This can happen, especially when plans are developed before a builder has reviewed them. If the design and budget are not aligned, we can talk through the areas that may be driving cost and suggest practical options to help bring the project closer to where it needs to be.
How long does the design and build process usually take?
The timeline can vary depending on the size and complexity of the home. As a general guide, the design process usually takes around 4 to 6 months, followed by 10+ months for construction.
Do you handle permits, engineering and documentation?
Yes. We can assist with all required permits, from heritage overlays and town planning through to building permits. We also coordinate the engineering and documentation needed to move the project forward.
Where do you build?
We build across Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine.
