Creative couple achieve quality outcome
Paal was much more cost-effective than a custom designed home.
Alasdair and Julia McLean of Gunnedah both work as creative professionals, so the quality of design and finish of their new home was important to them.
The couple chose Paal’s Richmond, a large country-style house of 470m² (50 squares) under-roof that gives them and their two growing children plenty of space.
Set on 24 acres in Gunnedah, the home boasts every comfort and convenience, including four bedrooms, a rumpus or media room, study, and a roofed alfresco area at the rear. The bedrooms open directly onto traditional verandahs through french doors.
The McLeans employed a builder who had already erected a number of Paal homes and made a "fantastic job" of theirs, according to the couple.
Julia and Alasdair had looked at other kit homes and also commissioned plans from a professional architect, but found that the plans would have been horrendously costly to implement.
"Paal was much more cost-effective than a custom designed home," Julia said.
The couple altered the standard Richmond plan, swapping over an ensuite and walk-in robe to enable the installation of a large double shower and double vanity in the ensuite.
"This was no trouble at all for Paal. They were very easy to deal with. Nothing was ever a problem," they said.
"John in Paal’s workshop was fabulous. He drove up from Sydney to look at our house, helped fight a bushfire on the property next door, did his inspection, then drove back to Sydney – all in one day!"
Building with Paal and employing the recommended building contractor saved the McLeans plenty of money, which they estimate as "substantial, six figures. Paal was much more cost-effective than a custom designed home."
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The home is finished in Federation Blue bricks, with a Woodland Grey iron roof and cedar windows and external doors.
At an Open House held after completion, more than 150 people came to inspect the property. "People were very surprised by the high quality of the home, which isn’t always how people think of kit homes," Julia said.
Asked if they would recommend Paal to other prospective homebuilders, Alasdair said, "Absolutely. Without hesitation."