Customer Story
Phil’s Knockdown Rebuild Journey in Rowville
5 out of 5 stars
“It’s a decision we have never regretted.”
Location
Rowville, VIC
Project Type
House Design
Home Style
Homestead Style
Household
Growing Family
Key Priority
Design Flexibility
“After several visits to display homes and discussions with the team, we decided to go with SJD Homes, it’s a decision we have never regretted. My wife and I searched almost every weekend for 2 years for a new home for our growing family… Suffice to say, we would build again tomorrow with SJD, with Neville as our sales consultant, and James as our site supervisor. Thank you guys for making our dream home a reality! We love it.”
Phil, Rowville VIC
The starting point: two years of searching, then the right block appeared
Phil and his wife didn’t jump into building quickly. They spent nearly two years inspecting homes on weekends, trying to find something that felt right for a growing family.
Eventually, they found a block of land that changed the plan. The location and land size had the potential they were looking for, and instead of compromising on an existing home, they decided to rebuild and create a home that matched their long-term needs.
“We searched almost every weekend for 2 years… and after almost giving up we stumbled across a beautiful block of land and decided overnight to build our dream home!”
For Phil, the decision wasn’t just about building new; it was about using the land properly and getting a floorplan they wouldn’t outgrow.
Designing for a larger block: why a Homestead style made sense
A larger block opens up more options, but it also raises practical questions early: how do you design a floorplan that makes full use of the land, without creating wasted areas, awkward siting, or a layout that doesn’t suit daily family life?
Phil wanted a home design that felt proportioned to the block, with generous living zones and a practical family flow, while still keeping outdoor space usable. That’s where a Homestead style direction suited the brief: a home that fits a bigger land footprint and supports long-term living.
SJD Homes has experience delivering home designs suited to larger blocks, where siting, flow, and layout proportion matter just as much as façade presentation.
Why Phil chose SJD Homes after comparing builders
After deciding to build, Phil described the next stage as “the nervous part”: choosing the right builder. He and his wife visited display homes throughout Melbourne’s South East, spoke with multiple builders, and talked to families who had already built.
“We’ve been through every display home in Melbourne’s south east, spoke to every builder… and narrowed our focus down to three builders.”
What made the difference was not a single visit. It was repeated conversations, comparing how different builders handled questions and detail, and whether the process felt supportive beyond the showroom.
Customising the Gippslander to suit the block
Phil worked closely with Sales Consultant Neville to customise a Gippslander design to suit the block and the family’s priorities. What stands out in his feedback is the level of refinement during the design process: they didn’t settle quickly, and they didn’t treat the first version of the floorplan as final.
“Neville was very knowledgeable and provided us with plenty of practical advice during the design process.”
Phil also shared that they made a large number of adjustments before the design was finalised, which is a reality for many knockdown rebuild customers who want to get the floorplan right before documentation and contract stages are locked in.
“With a mountain of decision changes and adjustments… we really tested SJD’s patience and they were fantastic the entire time!”
The build stage: a Site Supervisor who matched their standards
Once the design and contract stage was complete, Phil met Site Supervisor James. Phil describes himself and his wife as “very fussy”, so workmanship and attention to detail were non-negotiable.
Phil’s feedback highlights the day-to-day qualities homeowners want during construction: calm coordination, clear appointments, solving issues as they arise, and keeping the building process moving through the construction stages.
“We were glad to find that James was a perfectionist too!”
He also noted that James kept communication steady, asked for input on minor design challenges, and handled supply issues without unnecessary stress.
“The building process is stressful enough, but James was brilliant in turning our designs into reality.”
Workmanship, finishes, and after-handover support
Phil says the finished result impressed family and friends, specifically pointing to the workmanship, craft, and finishes in the completed home.
“Most importantly, the finishes, workmanship and craft within the home has impressed all of our family and friends.”
He also called out after-handover support, which is often where trust is reinforced. Phil noted that questions after moving in were handled without fuss, and that they still felt valued as customers after handover.
“We have also been pleasantly surprised by SJD and James’ after handover support… we feel like valued customers.”
Want to see more knockdown rebuild stories?
Explore other homeowner journeys, including the house plans they chose and what mattered most in their rebuild decision.
If you’d like to understand the pathway behind a rebuild project in more detail, you can also view our knockdown rebuild process guide.
Ready to plan your knockdown rebuild?
If you’re considering a knockdown rebuild in Melbourne’s South East, a consultation can help confirm the best next step for your existing property, design direction, and project pathway.
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