Should You Start With a Designer or a Builder? Here’s What You Should Know.
So—you’ve decided to build or renovate in the Margaret River Region? Exciting times ahead! Maybe you’ve found the perfect block and want to build your dream home. Maybe you need more space for a growing family. Or perhaps you love your location, but your existing home needs a serious upgrade.
Whether you’re planning a $500k+ renovation, designing a high-performance home, or looking at a custom new build, one big question always comes up:
Do you start with a designer, or a builder?
It’s a smart question—and one we hear all the time.
The short answer? You can do either. But there are some important things to consider if you want to save time, money, and stress.
Why Starting with a Builder in Margaret River Can Be a Smart Move
As bespoke builders specialising in high-performance homes, large renovations, and major extensions across Margaret River, Dunsborough, Busselton, and Augusta, we’ve seen too many people spend thousands on a design… only to discover the build price is double their budget. Ouch.
By involving your builder early in the design stage, you get:
Budget guidance while the design evolves (before it’s set in stone).
Buildability advice—because what looks beautiful on paper may not work on your block.
Connections to trusted designers and architects we collaborate with regularly.
A smoother journey through planning, approvals, and construction.
It’s not about controlling your project—it’s about protecting it from avoidable setbacks.
What If You Already Have a Designer?
No problem—we work with plenty of external designers. But even then, it’s worth bringing your builder in before final drawings are locked in.
This allows us to:
Provide realistic cost estimates.
Flag tricky details or structural issues.
Maximise your budget where it matters most.
Keep your project achievable within your timeframe and investment.
But Will I Pay Twice?
Some people worry about doubling up on design fees if they bring in a builder. The truth? Sometimes yes, often no.
It depends on whether your designer has local build experience and how well they align with your goals. Unfortunately, we’ve seen clients go through three or four sets of plans—spending thousands—before finally coming to us. It breaks our hearts, and their budgets.
That’s why we recommend choosing a designer who:
Has worked closely with builders in the region, or
Is open to collaborating with us from the start.
Your Next Step
If you’re at the very beginning and feeling unsure, reach out. We’re always happy to chat—no pressure, no jargon, just straight-up advice from a team that’s been there before.
After all, your build or renovation is something you’ll live with for decades. You want the right team beside you from day one.
About Us
We’re Two Hammers Construction—a local husband-and-wife team based in Margaret River. Stefan is a highly experienced builder, and Ashua is a designer with a sustainability background. Together, we specialise in bespoke renovations, high-performance homes, and custom builds across the South West.
From Busselton to Dunsborough, Yallingup to Augusta, we help families, professionals, and retirees create homes that perform better, feel healthier, and are built with uncompromising craftsmanship.
We build the best it can be built.