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A duplex you cannot register is not an investment. It may look finished. It may even have an Occupation Certificate. But without registration, it has no real outcome. It cannot be sold as two dwellings. It cannot be refinanced properly. And the value you thought you were creating stays locked on paper. This is where many duplex projects go wrong. Construction finishes and owners assume the hard part is over. In reality, registration is the true finish line. Without it, your d

Most construction headaches don’t show up years later.They start on day one.They come from early decisions that were rushed, simplified, or never properly explained. And once those decisions are locked in, the problems are built into the home. Many issues begin with what feels harmless at the time. Planning that moves too fast. Materials chosen because they are cheaper, not because they are right. Details that are skipped because they are hidden behind walls. These choices r

One of the most common questions we’re getting right now is simple: Can I build a duplex on my site? The answer, in many cases, is yes. But it depends on a few key factors, and recent changes have opened up opportunities that didn’t exist before. What Makes a Site Suitable for a Duplex In general, most sites can support a duplex if they meet the minimum lot size and frontage requirements  and are located in R2 zoning . These two factors alone rule out or allow many projects.

Sloping blocks have a bad reputation. Many buyers see a slope and immediately walk away, assuming it will be too expensive, too complex, or too risky. In reality, sloping blocks are not hard. They are misunderstood. And when handled properly, they can produce some of the most impressive homes you will ever see. The hesitation usually comes from fear. Uneven levels. Retaining walls. Drainage concerns. These challenges look intimidating on paper, especially if you have only see

Installing stone tiles in a basement driveway is more technical than most people realise. Basements deal with moisture, movement, temperature changes and higher wall pressure, so the preparation behind the tile matters just as much as the finish you see. At Neogen Homes , we follow a proven method to make sure every tile stays secure and looks premium for years. Here is how we do it properly. 1. Create the Correct Bonding Layer If the wall looks blue before tiling, that is in

Nothing makes a home feel messy and unfinished faster than exposed wires. The moment you walk in, they disrupt the flow of your space and take attention away from the design choices you made. Exposed wiring is almost always the result of electrical planning that was rushed, incomplete, or done too late in the process. By the time it is noticed, it often requires patching, rerouting or compromises that affect the quality of the final build. At Neogen Homes , we plan every wir

Most homeowners never see what really happens behind the scenes during a build. You see the finished home, but not the supervision, coordination and quality checks that make the result truly exceptional. That is why we sat down for a full Q&A to answer the most common questions about how we manage trades, maintain quality and keep you informed throughout the journey. Here is a clear breakdown of what you can expect when building your custom home with Neogen Homes . The Role

Every homeowner has heard it. Many have felt it. The moment you walk into a newly built room and think, “I wish this was bigger.” By the time the walls are up, the layout is locked in, and fixing it becomes costly or impossible. This is one of the most common frustrations in homebuilding, and it almost always comes from working with fixed, inflexible floor plans. Tight living rooms, cramped bedrooms, hallways that feel too narrow — these issues rarely come from the homeowner.

Most people think the hardest part of building a home is choosing the design. In reality, the real challenge begins long before construction starts. Compliance is where homeowners feel the most overwhelmed, and it is also where most delays, variations, and unexpected costs come from. Understanding this early can save you months of frustration and thousands of dollars in surprises. DA, CDC, LEPs, BASIX , engineering reports, stormwater requirements — the list is long and const

Herringbone flooring is one of the most stunning finishes you can choose for your custom home. It is timeless, elegant, and instantly elevates the look of any space. But what most homeowners never see is the work that has to happen underneath  for that patterned floor to look flawless for years. At Neogen Homes , we know herringbone only performs as beautifully as the foundation beneath it. Even a few millimetres of unevenness from structural beams or yellow-tongue flooring

If you are comparing today’s build prices to anything from 2020, you will be way off. The building industry has shifted more in the last five years than in the previous fifteen. The rules are tighter. The standards are higher. The materials are different. And the expectations for energy performance have completely changed. For anyone planning a custom home in 2025, understanding these changes is the key to staying on budget and avoiding major surprises later. Here is what has

If you’ve ever wished you had a bigger fridge, better storage, or a kitchen that didn’t feel messy and cramped, here’s the truth: the problem isn’t your cooking. The problem is the layout you were forced into. A kitchen should work for you, not limit you. And that is exactly why custom homes change everything. Most project homes lock you into a short list of “approved” appliances. If it’s not on their list, you simply cannot have it. That means no oversized fridge, no special

A staircase is never just a structure. It is a design statement that shapes how your home feels the moment you walk through the door. The right staircase adds personality, movement, and architectural presence in a way that standard designs simply cannot achieve. In most project homes, you get one or two options. Straight. Boxed. Standard balustrade. They work, but they don’t reflect how your home flows or how you want it to look. There is no room for creativity, no opportunit

When designing a custom home in Sydney, adding a basement can sound like the perfect way to create extra space without extending your footprint. Whether you imagine a home gym, theatre, or secure storage, it can elevate your home’s function and value. But before you commit, it’s worth understanding when a basement truly pays off and when it might not be the smartest investment. 1. When a Basement Is Worth It A well-designed basement can transform how you live and even boost y

Building a duplex is one of the smartest ways to maximise your property’s value. It can create two income-generating homes on one lot, help you build equity faster, and open up opportunities for long-term financial growth. But before you dive in, you need to know whether your block is actually suitable for a duplex. Not every site ticks the right boxes, and missing key details early can lead to costly redesigns or approval delays later. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you

If you’re planning to build your dream home or a duplex in Sydney, you’ve probably come across two terms that can feel confusing at first — DA  and CDC . Choosing the right approval pathway is one of the first and most important steps in your building journey, because it affects your design options, your timeline, and your budget. At Neogen Homes , we guide every client through this process with clarity. As a Sydney custom home builder  and duplex builder NSW , our goal is to

If you’ve ever toured a display village, you’ve probably noticed how many project homes look alike. The layouts are repeated, the finishes are predetermined, and the choices are limited to what’s already on offer. A custom home  is completely different. It is designed around you, your block, your lifestyle, and your goals for the future. Here’s what truly separates a custom home from a project build, and why more families are choosing to work with builders Campbelltown  who v

Thinking of building a duplex? It’s a great way to make the most of your land, add value, and even create an extra source of income. But before you start planning, it’s important to know whether your block actually fits the requirements. A few key checks can save you from costly surprises later on. 1. Zoning Start by checking your zoning. Your land needs to be zoned R2, R3, or R4 to allow a duplex. This determines whether it’s even possible to build two dwellings on the same

Most people think a custom home automatically means expensive. But the truth is, with the right planning and builder, a custom build can be both beautiful and budget-conscious. The key isn’t cutting corners, it’s designing smarter from the start. 1. Start with Clarity, Not Guesswork One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is chasing square metre rates or rough quotes that don’t reflect the real cost of their project. A quality Sydney custom home builder won’t guess your p

Corner blocks can be both a blessing and a challenge when it comes to building a duplex. On paper, they offer fantastic potential — two...