Flack Built is a boutique custom home builder in Mount Martha with deep local roots and a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship. We specialise in luxury custom homes Mount Martha residents love, delivering premium finishes and architectural detail in every project. Our team brings over a decade of experience building across the Mornington Peninsula – we understand the local coastal conditions, council requirements, and Mount Martha’s unique character better than most.

We pride ourselves on a highly personalised service: from the first consultation to the final handover, you’ll have direct communication with our builder (and a dedicated project manager) ensuring your vision is realized exactly as you imagined. Unlike volume builders, we focus on quality over quantity, taking on select projects and giving each our full attention. We even offer in-house interior design expertise through our partnership with Webster Interiors, so every aspect of your home, from architecture to bespoke finishes, is seamless and tailored.

What truly sets us apart? Our founder and CEO, James, lives right here in Mount Martha. This gives us unparalleled insight into the area, from understanding the best blocks and views, to knowing how the sun hits your site. Additionally living here and recently building his own custom home James knows how to navigating local regulations with ease. Building in Mount Martha isn’t just our work, it’s personal, and that local knowledge is something no outside builder can match.

Finally, our track record speaks for itself. We come highly recommended by past clients which reflects our commitment to transparency, trust, and exceptional results on every build in Mount Martha.

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Building a custom home in Mount Martha is an exciting journey, and it’s important to plan for the timeline. In general, a full custom home project from start to finish takes about 12 to 18 months on average. This includes the initial design phase, all approvals, and the construction itself. The exact timeframe can vary based on the complexity of your project, but here’s a typical breakdown of the process:

Design & Planning (2–4 months):

This first stage includes designing your home, finalizing architectural plans, and making selections for materials and finishes. The duration depends on the complexity of the design and how quickly decisions are made. At Flack Built, our in-house design team works closely with you to efficiently develop a plan that captures your vision.

Permits & Approvals (1–3 months):

Obtaining the necessary council planning permits (if required) and the building permit is the next step. In Mount Martha (under the Mornington Peninsula Shire), a straightforward design might get approval in a few weeks. However, if there are special site considerations like a heritage or coastal overlay, or a need to meet bushfire regulations, it could take a couple of months to secure all approvals. We handle all permit applications and proactively liaise with council and building surveyors to keep this process as smooth and swift as possible.

Construction Phase (6–12 months):

Once permits are in place and the site is prepared (including any demolition for knockdown-rebuilds), we break ground on construction. The build time frame can range widely: a smaller single-story home might be finished in around 6–8 months, while a larger or more complex luxury home (with multiple levels or intricate custom features) could be closer to 12 months or more of active building. Throughout construction, Flack Built carefully schedules each stage and trade to maintain momentum.

Factors That Can Affect the Timeline:

Mount Martha’s coastal climate is generally mild, but weather can play a role – heavy winter rain or extreme wind might cause brief delays in outdoor work. Additionally, material supply issues or changes to the design during construction can extend the schedule. We mitigate these risks with thorough planning: ordering materials with lead times in mind, accounting for seasonal weather in our schedule, and finalizing the design details with you before construction begins to avoid mid-build changes.

By collaborating closely with an experienced builder like Flack Built, you can streamline the timeline and avoid unnecessary delays. We provide a detailed project schedule before we start and keep you updated at every step. Our goal is to deliver your Mount Martha custom home on time without ever compromising on quality so you get the keys to your dream home as promised, typically within the 12–18 month window from project kickoff.

Absolutely we live here! Mount Martha is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most sought after family friendly locations. It offers a safe, peaceful coastal setting with a strong sense of community, making it ideal for raising a family. Families in Mount Martha love the proximity to excellent schools, beautiful beaches, parks, and other amenities. For example, local schools such as Mount Martha Primary School and Balcombe Grammar have excellent reputations, providing great education options right nearby. On weekends, your family can enjoy calm swimming beaches (like the iconic South Beach with its colourful bathing boxes), expansive playgrounds, and green open spaces perfect for picnics or sports. The community here is welcoming and active, there are sports clubs, a world-class golf courses near by. Mount Martha is also home to plenty of community events that create an inviting, tight-knit atmosphere throughout the year. All of this comes with the bonus of living in a picturesque coastal environment. You’ll be giving your children a healthy, active lifestyle by the beach, all within an hour’s drive of Melbourne. In short, building a family home in Mount Martha means enjoying a relaxed seaside lifestyle without sacrificing access to quality schools and modern conveniences, a decision you won’t regret.

In Mount Martha, many home designs embrace the area’s natural coastal beauty and laid-back elegance. Popular design styles tend to highlight indoor-outdoor living, views of the bay, and a blend of modern luxury with beachside charm. Some of the styles and features we often see include:

Coastal/Hamptons Style:

Given Mount Martha’s seaside location, a lot of homeowners opt for a coastal-inspired or Hamptons look. This often means light and airy interiors, big windows or bi-fold doors opening to the ocean breeze, and materials like weatherboard cladding or stone that reflect a beachy vibe. Homes in this style use crisp neutral colours (whites, soft greys, blues) and feature details like wrap-around verandahs, shuttered windows, and timber floors – creating that classic elegant beach house feel.

Contemporary Modern:

Modern architectural styles are also very popular in Mount Martha. These custom homes feature clean lines, open-plan layouts, and a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors. It’s common to have large floor-to-ceiling glass panels or sliding doors facing the view, flat or skillion roof profiles, and mixed materials like render, natural timber, and concrete for a sleek look. Many modern Mount Martha homes include infinity pools, expansive decks, and alfresco entertaining areas to maximise the enjoyment of the coastal climate.

Use of Natural Materials:

Whatever the overarching style, Mount Martha homes often incorporate natural materials that complement the peninsula’s landscape. You’ll see homes with timber batten or shiplap detailing, local stone feature walls, and landscaping that blends into the coastal environment. This not only creates a luxurious, earthy aesthetic but also helps the home sit gracefully in its surroundings. Rustic yet refined touches such as reclaimed timber beams or sandstone pavers can add character and warmth to the design.

Indoor-Outdoor Living:

A hallmark of Mount Martha design is the emphasis on indoor-outdoor flow. Whether it’s a coastal cottage or a cutting-edge modern home, designs typically include expansive decks, covered alfresco dining areas, and outdoor kitchens or lounges. Large sliding or stacking doors open up living areas to the sunshine and sea air. This trend reflects the local lifestyle: residents love entertaining outdoors and taking in those bay views. Even upper-level balconies and rooftop terraces are popular for capturing sunsets over Port Phillip Bay.

Ultimately, the beauty of a custom build is that you can tailor the style to your personal taste. Mount Martha is a perfect canvas for everything from a minimalist modern beach house to a luxurious Hamptons-inspired retreat.

At Flack Built, we stay on top of the latest design trends in Mount Martha and the broader Mornington Peninsula. Our team will work with you to ensure the style you choose not only captures your vision but also stands the test of time. Whether you prefer ultra-modern lines or classic coastal charm, we’ll help craft a home design that is both on-trend and uniquely you.

Of course you can! We have extensive experience building on sloping sites and coastal blocks in Mount Martha. In fact, many of the prime lots in Mount Martha come with elevation changes or stunning clifftop views, and we specialise in turning these challenging sites into dream homes. Building on a slope or along the coast requires careful planning and expert engineering, but Flack Built is well equipped to handle it.

For sloping blocks, our team works closely with architects and structural engineers to design homes that work with the natural contours of your land rather than against them. We might utilize split-level designs or tiered foundations that step a house down (or up) the hillside gracefully. This approach minimizes the need for excessive cut-and-fill earthworks and can create really dynamic interior spaces (think soaring ceilings, mezzanine levels, or interesting multi-level layouts that a flat site wouldn’t allow). We pay special attention to structural integrity and drainage on sloping sites ensuring retaining walls are solid where needed and that rainwater is properly managed so you won’t have runoff issues. The result is a home that sits securely into your Mount Martha hillside and often enjoys panoramic views thanks to that elevation. We love building on hillsides because it often means every level of your home can capture a different stunning vista of the bay or surrounding landscape.

For coastal blocks, whether near the clifftops or just a street back from the beach, we take into account the seaside conditions. Coastal locations in Mount Martha mean exposure to salt air, strong winds at times, and possibly shifting sandy soils. Flack Built uses durable, weather-resistant materials and construction techniques suited for these conditions for example, galvanised or stainless steel fixtures and fastenings (to prevent corrosion), high-grade external coatings, and sturdy window systems that can handle ocean breezes. We’re also familiar with any coastal erosion setbacks or building regulations for waterfront properties, ensuring your home meets all requirements. Our local knowledge of Mount Martha’s geology helps us design appropriate foundations (sometimes piers or deep footings if the soil is sandy near the beach) so your home stands firm for decades to come. In short, no matter how challenging your block, steep, sandy, or windswept, we can devise an innovative build solution to make the most of it. Many of our proudest Mount Martha projects have been on tricky sites, and each time we deliver a safe, beautiful home that maximises those natural advantages (like amazing views) that a standard flat block wouldn’t offer.

Yes, we do – in fact, Flack Built specialises in knockdown-rebuild projects in Mount Martha. This approach allows you to create your dream home on the block you already love, which is a popular choice in Mount Martha where there are older beach houses on fantastic pieces of land. Instead of trying to renovate an old structure (which can only take you so far), many homeowners choose to start fresh with a brand-new custom home while keeping their prime location. We offer a seamless, end-to-end knockdown-rebuild service so you don’t have to coordinate multiple contractors – we handle everything from initial planning to handing over the keys of your new home.

When you engage Flack Built for a knockdown-rebuild, here’s how the process works: first, we’ll assess your existing property and discuss the vision for your new home. We take care of arranging the safe demolition of the old house, including obtaining the necessary demolition permits and disconnecting services. Safety and compliance are paramount; we ensure things like asbestos removal (if applicable in older homes) are managed by professionals. Once the site is cleared and prepared, we move straight into constructing your new custom home according to the design we’ve crafted with you. The advantage of this streamlined approach is that we can often save time and cost by planning the demolition and new build in tandem, reducing downtime between the two phases.

There are several advantages to a knockdown-rebuild in Mount Martha. First, you get to stay in the location you love, you don’t have to give up your address, your view, or your familiar neighborhood. If your current house is outdated or doesn’t meet your needs, building new means you can have a modern layout (for example, open-plan kitchen/living, luxury bathrooms, bigger bedrooms) and all the contemporary comforts (energy-efficient construction, smart home technology, better insulation, etc.) without moving away. Second, starting from scratch often ends up more cost-effective and less complex than a piecemeal renovation of an old home. With a renovation, unexpected issues behind the walls can drive up costs, and you might still be compromising with an old layout; with a new build, you have full control and get exactly what you want, and everything is brand new.

Flack Built makes the knockdown-rebuild journey smooth and stress-free. Our team handles all planning approvals for the new design and the demolition, coordinates surveys and engineering (sometimes a land re-survey is needed after demolition to place the new house perfectly), and we’ll even help you evaluate temporary accommodation options if you need to move out during the project. We’ve successfully completed many knockdown-rebuilds across the Mornington Peninsula. In fact, our founder, James, recently did a knockdown-rebuild of his own home in Mount Martha, so we truly understand the process from an owner’s perspective! From preserving any beautiful trees on your lot to orienting your new house for the best view and sun, we take care of every detail. By the end, you’ll have a stunning new custom home built to your exact specifications, all while remaining in the Mount Martha community you cherish.

Mount Martha falls under the jurisdiction of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, and like any area, there are specific regulations and permits required for residential construction. The good news is Flack Built handles all council and permit matters for our clients, guiding you through the paperwork so you don’t have to worry. Here are some key points regarding building regulations in Mount Martha:

Planning Permits:

Depending on your project and location, you may need a planning permit from council before you can build. For example, if your design is outside certain planning guidelines or your property has an overlay (common overlays in Mount Martha can relate to heritage conservation, vegetation protection, coastal erosion, or bushfire risk in certain pockets near bushland), a planning permit is required to ensure the project meets local planning schemes. Flack Built will assess this early, we’ll let you know if your custom home or renovation needs a planning permit and we prepare and submit all the required documentation to council. Our familiarity with the Shire’s processes and regulations means we can often anticipate any concerns and address them in the plans, smoothing the path to approval.

Building Permit:

All building works (new homes, extensions, major renovations) in Mount Martha require a building permit. This is separate from the planning permit and is issued by a registered building surveyor to ensure your project complies with building codes and standards (structural, safety, energy efficiency, etc.). We coordinate with independent building surveyors to get your building permit approved. This involves providing detailed construction drawings, engineering computations, and proof of compliance with things like fire safety and structural integrity. Because Flack Built’s team prepares high-quality documentation and we build to code, obtaining the building permit is typically a straightforward step that we manage entirely on your behalf.

Special Local Requirements:

Being a coastal area, Mount Martha may have some additional considerations. If your block is in a bushfire-prone area (parts of Mount Martha near dense vegetation have designated BAL – Bushfire Attack Level – ratings), your home will need to incorporate specific bushfire protection measures. This could include using fire resistant materials, clearing defensible space, etc., as per Australian standards. We are well versed in these requirements and will design and build accordingly to keep your home safe and compliant. Similarly, for coastal properties, there might be regulations about building height or setback from escarpments to preserve the coastline and views we take all these into account during design.

Demolition or Heritage:

If you are doing a knockdown-rebuild and the existing structure needs demolition, we’ll obtain a demolition permit and ensure proper procedures (like asbestos checks if it’s an older home). If a property happened to be heritage-listed (not very common in Mount Martha but possible for very old structures), any work would need special approval again, something we research and handle.

Throughout the process, Flack Built’s local expertise is your biggest asset. We maintain a strong working relationship with the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and stay up to date on local building regulations. Our team will advise you on what permits are required for your specific project and then take care of lodging applications, liaising with council officers, and fulfilling any conditions.

By proactively managing the approvals stage, we help prevent surprises or delays due to red tape. The bottom line: we make sure all council regulations are met and that your Mount Martha build is fully approved and compliant every step of the way, so you can move forward with confidence.

Absolutely. Flack Built is highly experienced in luxury home renovations and extensions in Mount Martha, alongside our new build projects. If you have an existing home that you love but it needs an update or more space, we can transform it into a high-end home that suits your lifestyle and matches your vision. We specialise in medium to large-scale renovations, the kind that dramatically improve both the functionality and aesthetic of your home while maintaining the character that made you fall in love with it in the first place.

Our renovation services in Mount Martha cover everything from whole-home makeovers and second-story additions to targeted luxury upgrades of key areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces. When undertaking a renovation, we approach it with the same level of craftsmanship and care as a new custom build. The process typically starts with understanding what you want to achieve: for instance, you might be looking to open up a cramped layout to create an open-plan living area with ocean views, or perhaps modernize a dated 1980s interior into a sleek coastal retreat. We’ll work with you on a design that balances your must-haves with the existing structure’s opportunities and constraints. Our team knows how to seamlessly integrate new construction with old, so the finished product feels cohesive and intentional. This might involve matching new materials to original ones (or thoughtfully contrasting them for effect), reinforcing foundations to support an added level, or replicating architectural details so the extension looks like it was always part of the home.

Building in Mount Martha, we’re attuned to some specific renovation considerations. Many homes here were built decades ago and may need structural improvements, updated electrical or plumbing systems, or better insulation and glazing for energy efficiency, we handle all those upgrades as part of the project, bringing the home up to modern standards behind the scenes. We’re also familiar with the local coastal conditions, so when we renovate, we use durable materials that will withstand salt air and weather for the long term (for example, upgrading old hardware to stainless steel, or selecting weather-resistant cladding for a new exterior face). If your renovation requires council approval (certain extensions or changes to the facade might need planning permission), we will manage that process just like we do for new builds.

A high-end renovation by Flack Built will not only rejuvenate your Mount Martha home’s appearance but also improve its comfort, value, and longevity. Whether it’s restoring a classic beach house with modern luxury or expanding your home to add that dream master suite and outdoor entertaining area, we have the expertise to execute it flawlessly. Many of our clients choose renovation or extension when they love their location and the bones of their house, but want to customize it to better fit their needs, we make that possible with minimal stress. The end result is a bespoke living space that feels brand new and truly yours, without having to relocate. If you’re considering a renovation or addition in Mount Martha, Flack Built can provide a comprehensive plan and a stunning finish that elevates your current home to the next level of luxury.

Getting started on building your dream home in Mount Martha with Flack Built is straightforward and rewarding. The first step is simply to reach out and contact us, you can send us an enquiry through our website or give us a call to schedule an initial consultation. This first meeting is completely free and comes with no obligation. We typically arrange a friendly sit-down chat at our Mornington Peninsula office or even on your site in Mount Martha, whichever you prefer.

During this initial consultation, we encourage you to share your ideas, requirements, and any plans or inspiration you have for your custom home (or renovation/extension). We’ll ask questions about your vision, your lifestyle needs, your tentative budget, and timeline goals. It’s as much an opportunity for us to learn about your project as it is for you to learn about our process and capabilities. We’ll explain how we work, the services we offer (from design advice to construction to interior design), and we can show you examples of our previous projects for reference. We find that homeowners often come away from this meeting with a clearer picture of the journey ahead and excitement about moving forward.

After our initial discussion, if you decide to proceed with Flack Built, we’ll guide you step-by-step. Typically, the next phase would involve design development or working with your architect/designer to finalize plans, after which we provide a detailed quote and scope of works. We handle all the paperwork (contracts, permits, etc.) and keep the process transparent throughout. Even if you’re not quite sure where to begin, don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure it out. Whether you already have architectural drawings or you’re starting from scratch with just a Pinterest board of ideas, Flack Built can assist from concept to completion.

To get started, simply contact James and the Flack Built team and we’ll take it from there. From the moment you engage us, we strive to make the experience as easy and informative as possible. Building a custom home is a big project, but with the right builder by your side, it will be an exciting and enjoyable journey. We’re ready to turn your Mount Martha dream home into reality, and it all begins with a conversation. Let’s chat about your plans and see how we can bring them to life!

The cost of building a custom home in Mount Martha can vary widely depending on a number of factors. Every custom build is unique, but to plan your budget it’s important to consider the following key cost drivers:

Home Size and Design Complexity:

Generally, larger homes will cost more to build simply because they require more materials and labor. But it’s not just size – the complexity of the design matters too. A single-story rectangular home with a simple roofline will be more cost-effective than a sprawling multi-level architectural design with custom angles, multiple roof pitches, and elaborate features. High ceilings, extra bathrooms, bespoke architectural elements (like a feature staircase or extensive glasswork) will add to the cost. In Mount Martha, some homes are designed to maximize views or terrain, which can mean complex engineering or split levels – these add incredible value but also influence the budget.

Site Conditions and Preparation:

Your block of land plays a big role in cost. A flat, clear block is the cheapest to build on. If your Mount Martha site has a slope, significant trees, or difficult access, there could be additional expenses for earthworks, retaining walls, or specialized foundations. Building on a steep block might require more extensive engineering (e.g. pier foundations or retaining structures), while a property with tight access might need smaller equipment or more manual labor to get materials in. Also, if you’re doing a knockdown-rebuild, the cost of demolishing and clearing the old structure is a factor (though usually a smaller portion of the budget). Flack Built will assess your site early and factor all necessary site works into our quote so there are no surprises.

Materials, Fixtures and Finishes:

The level of finishes and fixtures you choose has a significant impact on the overall cost. Luxury home builds can include premium materials for instance, marble or quartz countertops, high-end appliances, custom cabinetry, imported tiles, architectural windows and doors, etc. These elevate the look and performance of your home but do come at a higher price point than standard builder grade options. Even exterior cladding choices affect cost: brick, render, weatherboard, stone veneer all have different costs. We find many Mount Martha clients want quality and durability (which we encourage), so we often incorporate items like double-glazed windows, hardwood flooring, and quality hardware throughout. Part of our job is to help you prioritise features within your budget. We provide allowances for fixtures and finishes in the quote and can adjust specifications up or down to meet your desired budget without compromising the build quality.

Additional Features and External Works:

Don’t forget the extras outside the house itself. If your project includes landscaping, swimming pools, extensive decking, or outbuildings (like garages, pool houses, etc.), these will add to the cost. Similarly, sustainable additions like solar power systems, water tanks, or home automation systems have upfront costs (often worth it for long-term benefits). At Flack Built, we make sure to discuss all aspects of your dream home including outdoors so we can either include them in the contract or plan for them in stages. This way your budget is aligned with your complete vision for the property. Also, obtaining permits and any required reports (like soil tests, engineering, energy rating reports) have fees, which we include in our project planning.

Every custom build investment is a balance between wants and budget, and our role is to help you get the best value for your budget. Flack Built addresses cost considerations from the very beginning: we’ll provide a detailed, transparent quote that breaks down all the costs, so you know exactly where your money is going. We operate with fixed-price contracts whenever possible, which means once we finalize the design and specifications, you can have confidence that the price won’t suddenly creep up during construction. Our experience building in Mount Martha also allows us to advise on cost-efficient design tweaks for example, we might suggest an alternative material that achieves the same look for less, or a design modification to save on engineering costs, all while maintaining your vision and quality. Throughout the project, we manage the budget carefully and keep you informed, so there are no surprises. In summary, the cost to build your Mount Martha home will depend on your home’s size, design, site, and finish choices, but with Flack Built’s guidance you can make informed decisions to ensure your project stays on budget and delivers outstanding value for the investment.

Of course we do! Flack Built services the entire Mornington Peninsula from - Blairgowrie, Cape Schanck, Dromana, Flinders, McCrae, Mornington, Mt Martha, Red Hill, Rosebud, Sorrento, Portsea and beyond.