Building a House in Geelong & Surf Coast – The Seachange Guide

More and more Australians are aching for a seachange. They are flocking from the urban sprawl of cities like Melbourne into regional Victoria in search of a lifestyle that embodies the beauty and serenity of the coast.

Whether you are an empty-nester looking to move towards retirement or just an urbanite longing for a change of pace, Geelong or the Surf Coast may be calling to you. Pivot Homes can help bring your seachange dreams to a reality with a bespoke design and build project that prioritises sustainability, craftsmanship and quality living.

 

 

Why Move from Melbourne to Geelong?

Make no mistake. People are flocking from the cities to the coast. According to 2021 census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Melbourne saw more than 32,000 citizens leaving the city, while Regional Victoria gained almost 14,000. But what’s the draw?

Scenic Locations. Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including Point Lonsdale, Portarlington and Ocean Grove. Just imagine how much different life is when you can walk to the beach every day rather than having to make a day trip out of it.

Affordability. Home values are on the rise in Geelong as more and more people look for a seachange. But, prices are still more affordable than in Melbourne by about 21%, with median prices of $720,000 in Geelong versus $916,000 in Melbourne as of data from September 2024

Employment Opportunity. Geelong is only about an hour drive from Melbourne, so those who don’t mind a bit of a commute still have the benefit of the urban job market, especially since remote work is more common these days. But Geelong itself is a thriving career center as well, with a booming commercial sector and a long list of major employers such as Deakin University, Barwon Health and the Department of Education and Training.

 

 

Why Geelong and Surf Coast are Perfect for a Seachange

If you’re looking to leave the hustle and bustle of city life without sacrificing culture and society, Geelong and Surf Coast are ideal spots to settle down for good. Coastal living is scenic and serene. Imagine the possibilities of taking your lunch break to just put your toes in the sand. Or sipping your morning coffee on your deck as you gaze out over Port Phillip Bay.

At the same time, you’re living in a thriving region with easy access to amenities you got used to living in the city. You’ve got world class healthcare from University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health North and more. You’ve got the Geelong Library & Heritage Center (aka The Dome). You’ve even got a city-sponsored Geelong Arts and Culture Trails App to help you discover everything from public artworks to performing arts venues. And, for the food and drink connoisseur, the Bellarine Taste Trail promises a lifetime of tantalising dining experiences.

 

From Warrnambool to Waurn Ponds, the surf coast and Bellarine Peninsula, and Geelong to Drysdale, mega road and rail projects are underway to help support the surrounding growing communities. – BigBuild

 

Benefits of Building a Custom Home

What better way to mark your seachange to a new way of life than with a brand new home custom-tailored to your exact needs. Here are just a few of the reasons that our past clients have loved building a house in Geelong or Surf Coast:

Designed to Your Lifestyle. People move to the coast for all sorts of reasons. Whether you are looking to raise your kids in a relaxed lifestyle or just want a quiet place to retire, you need a home that is built for you. A custom home is built for a custom homeowner. In other words, we listen to YOUR needs and design a home to meet them.

Built for Coastal Conditions. Strong winds and salty air pose a threat to homes that aren’t built to withstand them. When you invest in a new custom home, you know that it’s being built to the latest standards with the most modern materials. That means a longer homelife and lower maintenance for you.

Founded on Sustainability. Modern homes can be designed from the ground up for energy efficiency and long term sustainability. Features like solar panels and passive cooling might be able to be retro-fitted into older homes. However, to get the best energy savings and most positive climate change impact, a new build is the way to go.

 

 

Understanding the Building Process in Geelong and the Surf Coast

The Pivot Homes Design and Build Process is meant to encourage open communication between all parties so that the final product is the home of your dreams. Here are the key steps to our building process in Surf Coast and Geelong:

1. Consultation. At the initial meeting, we are here to listen. We want to know everything you love in a home. We want to see pictures of your favorite home designs and concepts. We want to walk you through our Display Home, guide you through our portfolio and learn about what your dream home would look like.
2. Design. Once we learn more about your budget and your block, we begin the design process. This will be a back and forth exercise in talking and listening. The goal is to create a concise design brief that will be used by all parties throughout the build process to ensure everyone is on the same page about your dream home.
3. Approvals. The design brief will be used to guide more specific design development, focusing on everything from cladding choices to accounting for sloping blocks. This is also the point when we’ll work with Council if any town planning is required to navigate regulations and building codes.
4. Construction. Once we have completed the final engineering and you have approved the quotation, it’s time to break ground. Our construction supervisor will keep you in the loop as construction progresses, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet regularly for updates as needed.
5. Handover. Once the build is done, you’ll get to walk through and inspect your new custom home. We’ll work out any final changes, and then it will be time for us to hand over the keys to the home of your dreams!

 

The Victorian and Australian governments are upgrading the Geelong Line to enable more frequent and reliable services for Victoria’s fastest-growing regional city. – VIC.gov.au

 

Sustainable Living: Pivot Homes’ Commitment to Energy Efficiency

Since 2022, the National Construction Code has required all new homes to meet a minimum 7-star energy rating, and Pivot Homes has whole-heartedly embraced this commitment to sustainable living.

As a 7-star builder, we aim to maximise thermal performance in your coastal home with energy efficient heat pumps, purposeful home orientation, optimal shading, zoned HVAC, and more. Changes like these mean more comfortable living for you and as much as a 24% reduction in heating and energy costs (compared to a 6-star rating).

Designing for thermal performance helps reduce energy consumption, but we amplify the sustainability of our homes by also focusing on energy production. With solar panel installation on your new custom home, for example, you’ll further reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and help Australia meet its carbon emission goals.

 

 

Pivot Homes’ Expertise in Coastal Home Designs

Pivot Homes has more than 35 years in coastal home construction. Find inspiration for your seachange to Geelong in these favorites from our design and build portfolio.

Tourquay 49

This modern coastal home is ideal for a large family looking for spacious living. Featuring five bedrooms and designated playspace for the kids, the Torquay 49 ensures that everyone has space to relax. At the same time, the open floorplan connects the kitchen, dining and living rooms, invititing everyone to come together. To top it all off, the home features three separate decks so you will never tire of the ocean views and natural landscapes that define coastal life.

 

Learn more about the Tourquay 49

Jan Juc 21

The Jan Juc 21 is a marvel of doing more with less. Designed for a small family who wants to enjoy the serenity of a seachange on a smaller footprint, this one storey home places the master and kids’ bedrooms on opposite sides to privatise the space. Tall, room spanning windows help open up the living areas while also providing a gorgeous view of the great outdoors.

 

Learn more about the Jan Juc 21

Rippleside 31

This stunning double storey home is the embodiment of open plan living and carefree coastal life. It features a “reverse living” design, in which the living and dining space is concentrated on the second storey. The efficient, practical design is complimented by a spacious, shaded deck that can be used for dining, hosting or just enjoying the view.

 

Learn more about the Rippleside 31

If these homes catch your eye, be sure to take a look at our entire coastal home design portfolio.

 

Cost of Building a House in Geelong & Surf Coast

Building a custom home in Geelong and Surf Coast is, of course, going to cost more than purchasing an existing home. But for many homeowners, the investment is worth the home of their dreams. It’s like the difference between buying a suit off the rack versus having one custom tailored for you.

The specific costs of a new home vary based on a few factors:

• Land Slope. If you’re building on a sloping block, you have to account for costs for everything from retaining walls to drainage to the extra materials needed to ensure the structural soundness of the home.
• Design Complexity. Unique home designs often come with higher costs to account for the extra materials and labour involved. For example, if you are building beachfront property and dream of overwater decking, this would require advanced engineering and marine-grade materials to resist damage from saltwater.
• Material Choices. While we always use materials that will live up to the windy, salty conditions of coastal environments, you will also have plenty of material design decisions to make. From your flooring and trim to your outer facade, the quality you opt for will affect the final cost of your build.

 

Within the Surf Coast municipality, private building surveyors issue building permits and conduct the appropriate inspections. Any building surveyor registered in Victoria can provide this service. – Surfcoast

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build a custom home in Geelong?

As we mentioned previously, the cost to build YOUR new home depends on so many factors. The best way to get an accurate idea is to fill out our Custom Home Building Costing Tool. It’s a quick and easy way to get an estimate based on your specific desires in a home, from the style of house to the number of bedrooms.

What makes a home design suitable for coastal living?

Coastal home design best practices account for both the lifestyle and environmental demands that come with living near the sea.

Homeowners making a seachange to coastal life are looking for serenity and space. In your home design, this can be achieved through features like open floor plans and spacious decking. Tall, wall to wall glazing is also a common feature to maximise the awe-inspiring views surrounding your coastal home.

At the same time, life near the sea puts greater demands on your home as well. Building materials must be chosen to withstand the salty air and potentially higher winds. Similarly, coastal homes are often built with passive cooling features and ample ceiling fans in order to enhance energy efficiency.

How long does it take to build a house in the Surf Coast?

Much like construction costs, it can be difficult to provide a hard number for how long it takes to build a custom home. That being said, a typical custom home construction timeline can range from ten months to two years.

Factors that can lead to longer times include the complexity of the design and the challenges posed by the construction site. For example, if an existing home needs to be demolished and cleared first, the total time from start to finish is obviously going to increase.

Is the Sea Calling to You?

A move to Geelong or the Surf Coast promises a scenic lifestyle full of culture and calm. A custom home built to your needs is one of the best ways to seal this journey as your unique seachange.

Pivot Homes has been helping people just like you make the move to coastal life with sustainable designs and expert craftsmanship for more than 35 years. Contact us to get your new coastal home design started today!