New Build Update: From Lock Up to Handover and Moving In, with Michael
Get It Right with Undercover ArchitectShow Notes
Hello, this is Episode 391, and in this episode, I’m welcoming back HOME Method member, Michael, to share an update on his new build journey. Now the home is complete, and they’ve been enjoying it for a few months, he has lots to share about the build experience, completion and landscaping, and enjoying the finished home. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/391] This is the third instalment we’ve had from Michael about his project. You can catch previous updates in Episodes 323 and 324, discussing earlier parts of the project. And then Episode 347 and 348, where Michael discussed documentation, approvals, pricing, contracts and commencing construction. Check out those episodes to hear loads of helpful insights and information. When Michael last joined me on the podcast, his roof was on, the home was about to be clad, and his separate workshop hadn’t yet begun. Fast forward to now, and the home reached handover in August 2025. He and his wife have been settling in, shaping the landscaping themselves, refining the details, and actually living in the spaces they spent more than five years planning and building. Michael’s project is a beautifully considered pavilion style home in regional Western Australia. It’s oriented to maximise northern sun, carefully detailed for performance in its climate zone, and designed as a long term transition home as he and his wife step towards retirement from farming. In this conversation, we talk about what unfolded between lock up and handover. The logistics of trades. The unexpected delay with tiling. The coordination of finishes. What surprised him once they moved in. And those small decisions, particularly around lighting and services, that only truly reveal themselves once you’re living in the home. We also dive into landscaping on a sloping site, reusing soil during construction, working with topography rather than fighting it, and how collaboration with a builder and trades can shape not just the outcome, but the experience of the build itself. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find it plus other helpful links by to www.undercoverarchitect.com/391. Now, let’s dive in! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/391 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Hello! This is Episode 432. This is Way #32 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re beginning a new section: Section Seven, A Sustainable Site: Landscape Design. This section shifts focus to your site and your landscape, and how the design of the spaces around your home can be designed with sustainability as your priority. Way #32 is: Design Your Outdoor Room. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/432] Our wellbeing is greatly enhanced through a connection to light, the outdoors and the natural environment, so bringing this focus into our homes, where we can, will make a big difference to their sustainability. Plus, if your climate allows you to be outdoors for some, or a big chunk of the year, this can greatly expand the size, spaciousness and feel of your home too, enabling you to build less, but still achieve great functionality overall. In warmer climates, creating shaded spaces around the edges of our home, can help cool air before it enters our home and improve the home’s ability to stay cool during the warmer months as well. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/432. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/432 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello! This is Episode 431. This is Way #31 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re wrapping up Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes. In this section of the ‘44 Ways’ series, I’ve been covering one specific criteria for choosing materials and products per episode. And so far, we’ve covered choosing for longevity and durability, a low carbon footprint, low VOCs and low tox, recyclability and low waste, and choosing from companies with sustainability missions. Way #31 is: Choose Based on Efficiency of Manufacture. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/431] This is where your sustainable selection criteria can be shaped by how a material, product, fixture or finish has been made, and whether it is energy efficient in its manufacture. And also reviewing whether it will improve your home’s energy efficiency. Choosing this way can also involve reviewing the water use of a material or product in its manufacture, and whether it saves water in its production or use in your home. And this selection criteria can also mean finding products that source their manufacturing energy needs via renewable energy, and recycle water in their manufacturing process. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/431. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/431 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello! This is Episode 430. This is Way #30 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes. In this section, I’m covering one specific criteria for choosing materials and products per episode, providing you with six different criteria overall. This episode covers the fifth criteria you can use to choose materials, fixtures and finishes with sustainability in mind. Way #30 is: Choose from Companies with Sustainability Missions. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/430] Increasingly in other sectors, we’re seeing people make choices to spend money with businesses that are aligned with their own personal values. They’re keen to see their spending decisions support businesses they believe in, and find companies that have missions that help create the kind of world they also envisage for their future. This is also possible when you build or renovate, because the culture, values and mission of the companies you purchase from for your project can be aligned with your sustainable values. And finding companies that operate like this can be a great selection criteria for the products, materials, fixtures and finishes you’re choosing for your future home. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/430. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/430 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello! This is Episode 429. This is Way #29 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes. In this section of the ‘44 Ways’ series, I’m covering one specific criteria for choosing materials and products per episode. We’ve talked about choosing for longevity and durability in Episode 426, choosing for a low carbon footprint in Episode 427, and choosing low VOCs, natural and lox ingredients in your materials, fixtures and finishes in Episode 428. Way #29 is: Choose for Recyclability and Low Waste. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/429] Choosing products and materials with this in mind can shape your project in a very different way and, when making this a sustainability priority, it reaches far further than many initial considerations, as it impacts everything from the design process, through selections, to the construction site and builder’s business practices. So, we’ll be going through various things to consider and how to incorporate this sustainability priority in your project. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/429. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/429 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello! This is Episode 428. This is Way #28 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes. In this section, I’m covering specific criteria for choosing materials and products for your home. We’ve talked about choosing for longevity and durability in Episode 426, and choosing for a low carbon footprint in Episode 427. Way #28 is: Choose for Low VOCs and Natural or Low-Tox Ingredients. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/428] Given how much time we spend in our homes, the quality of our indoor air becomes super impactful on how our home feels. There’s also the increasing susceptibility people can have to toxins, as well as personal values that drive them to make low tox choices in other areas of their lives. So, it makes sense that this can be a selection criteria in making sustainable choices with the materials, products, fixtures and finishes for your home. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/428. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/428 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.