Ryan

HOW WE SAVED THIS FIFO DAD'S BUILD

In June 2024, I received a message on Instagram that caught my attention.

It was from Amy.

She wasn’t building herself - but her brother Ryan was. He’s a FIFO worker, juggling long swings away, raising his little boy Harry, and trying to bring his dream home to life. But Amy could see it was all getting a bit much. She said, “He’s itching to sign off on the plans, but I’ve asked him to speak to you first.”

She was worried. Her gut was telling her something wasn’t right, even though the builder was pushing hard with price-rise deadlines. They hadn’t even finalised the floor plan, but Ryan was being pressured to sign on the dotted line on a design he wasn’t happy with.

And I get it. When you’re exhausted, working away, trying to make smart choices for your family’s future - it’s easy to give in to pressure. But Amy’s message hit me hard. Because I’ve been in the building industry for over 16 years and I’ve seen this story too many times before. So even though I was flat out, I worked a Sunday and jumped on a late-night call to review Ryan’s plans.

I’m so glad I did.

When I first opened his drawings, my alarm bells started ringing too.

Ryan had already signed a preliminary agreement and paid a deposit… but the house on paper looked nothing like what he’d described.

It was clear the sales consultant didn’t understand what Ryan was asking for - or worse, just didn’t know how to make it happen.

Here’s What I Found...

The house was riddled with wasted space
It had long hallways that felt like a maze
The kitchen - his most important space - was tiny and totally impractical
The toilet was positioned like the “centrepiece” of the house
The theatre room would have been impossible to furnish
The living areas were cramped and didn’t reflect Ryan’s dream of entertaining friends and making memories with Harry
There were so many awkward nooks that construction would have been more complex - and more expensive for Ryan

Ryan was starting to feel uneasy.

His sales consultant seemed like a nice enough guy - but something just wasn’t sitting right. And honestly, Ryan’s instincts weren’t wrong.

Here’s what most people don’t realise: builder sales consultants aren’t required to have any formal training. No licence. No course. No real qualifications. If you’re good at selling phones or vacuums, you can sell houses. Sounds wild, right? But it’s true.

Now, lots of consultants are brilliant. They’ve taken the time to really understand good design and genuinely care about their clients. But the reality is, most aren’t trained to spot the design flaws that make a home hard to live in. And because it’s a high-commission role, there’s a lot of staff turnover - so when the cracks start to show, some sales consultants just vanish, leaving homeowners to pick up the pieces.

And that’s exactly what happened with Ryan.

He picked a builder with a good reputation, but the consultant he was working with seemed brand new - and it showed. The things Ryan had asked for just weren’t coming through in the design, and worse, no one was catching the disconnect.

He told me later he felt a bit guilty for reaching out for help outside the builder. But the truth is, when you're investing hundreds of thousands of dollars, you’ve got to put feelings aside and make smart calls because, at the end of the day, you’re the one that pays the price. And Ryan did exactly that.

So… we started again.

Properly this time. With a full floor plan review to work out exactly what he needed.

How we transformed Ryan and Harry’s home design:

Fixed the Front Setback – Moved the house 1m forward, creating more space inside and in the backyard.
Added Garage Storage – Extended the garage by 500mm, adding 4sqm plus built-in shelving for Ryan’s collections.
Expanded the Kitchen – Removed an awkward hallway, boosting bench space from 2.9m to 5.4m.
Opened Up the Entryway – Widened the entry, raised the ceiling, and removed a cramped doorway for a bright, welcoming feel.
Fitted the Dream Bed – Increased the main bedroom by 600mm so a king bed with two full bedsides fits comfortably.
Reworked the Oversized Ensuite – Created a purposeful layout with half-height walls, a framed vanity, and a toilet privacy screen.
Added Ensuite Privacy – Moved a door to shield the toilet from street view without closing in the space.
Created a Drop Zone – Added a nook for bags, shoes, and keys by reworking the ensuite/toilet layout.
Solved Theatre Layout Issues – Swapped double doors for a single barn door to free up furniture placement options.
Maximised Living Space – Added an under-eave extension and TV nook, improving flow and sightlines from the kitchen while keeping costs low.
Relocated the Toilet – Moved it to open off the backyard for pool use, improving privacy, ventilation, and hallway flow.
Upgraded the Laundry – Relocated it to the back of the house for better storage, function, and clothesline access.
Turned a Shoebox into a Bedroom – Expanded Bedroom 3 from 2.4m to 3.5m wide, doubled the wardrobe, and improved layout.
Boosted Linen Storage – Added 800mm of extra space (3.2m of shelving) and switched to a single inward-opening door to improve access and reduce hallway clutter.
Brought Light Into the Bathroom – Moved it to the private side of the house, allowing a large window over the bath for natural light.
Closed Dust-Trap Gaps – Added a half-height wall in the shower so the vanity can sit flush against the wall for cleaner lines.
Polished the Bathroom Design – Aligned bath tiling with vanity height and extended the mirror to make the space feel bigger and brighter.
Future-Proofed Harry’s Bedroom – Relocated the wardrobe for better storage, hidden mess, and more room for furniture as he grows.
Gave the Kitchen Island a Makeover – Moved the sink and dishwasher off the island, extending it to 2.8m for four stools and clutter-free entertaining.
Opened the Kitchen and Added Storage – Replaced brick pantry and fridge walls with cabinetry panels, gained space, removed dead corners, and tripled storage with overheads and a full-height pantry.

So there you have it, twenty improvements that made his home more functional and liveable.

And the Best Part?

After the floor plan review, Amy messaged me:

“You are AMAZING! Hugest thanks – I can’t tell you how much this means. He’s had a tough couple of years, and building a house is a dream for him. He was feeling the pressure and we didn’t want him to rush it.”

That’s the power of sisterly love. And honestly? That’s why I do what I do.

Ryan later left a review that said:

“Amazing. Life changing… Jess was amazing in her understanding of what was needed for a family home. Her ideas are next level and it’s the small things that can be missed in a build that would cost BIG $ to rectify! Jess picks up on every detail and spends the time to get to know you and what is best suited for your family’s needs. I couldn’t stress enough to book a consult and have Jess work her magic! … Thanks a million Jess, you’re an absolute blessing. If you are building a home regardless of any price range having Jess review the plans and work her magic!! is essentially life changing. What I thought was a decent design turned out to be impractical for any family and didn’t have the specific needs that suited us. This potentially will save you 10s of thousands of dollars without actually having to spend more on the build … But more importantly the heartache of having to live in a home that just isn’t quite right! … Thank you Jess for now giving us our own little “Taj Mahal”

So, I handed over his new plan - one that truly worked for him and Harry - and sent him on his way to have the conversation with his builder.

But that wasn’t the end of Ryan’s story.

And truthfully? I had a gut feeling it wasn’t going to be smooth sailing.

Over the next six weeks, Ryan hit roadblock after roadblock. His Sales Consultant started pushing back. There were threats of price increases, delays, and pressure to sign off quickly - without really understanding what he was locking himself into.

Then the builder pushed the site start back. It was a mess.

That's Where I Stepped In...

Amy, being the absolute legend she is, reached out again asking if there was any way Ryan could get out of the contract. Thankfully, he’d only signed a preliminary agreement - which meant walking away would only cost him his deposit, just a few thousand dollars. Honestly?

That’s a small price to pay to avoid the building nightmare I could see coming.

Once Amy confirmed Ryan had cancelled the contract, she asked if I could help him find a new builder.

Her timing was spot on (or maybe she was keeping a close eye on my Instagram stories), because I had just locked in a special collaboration with La Vida Homes.

I made it clear from the get-go that I’d only get involved if Ryan had officially cut ties with the previous builder-I always want to do the right thing by the industry.

But this collaboration with La Vida? It’s something I’m really proud of. It keeps me right in the thick of the building industry - up to date, hands-on, and in the loop. It also lets me create helpful content for others who might be walking the same path.

To catch you up: A couple of times a year, I take on a handful of clients to guide them through the full building journey - from initial planning and budgeting, all the way through to prestart and finishing touches. There's no rigid sales process. Just real support, from start to finish.

I’m Jess — A Personal Building Advocate

With 16 years behind the scenes in the building industry, I know exactly how builders operate and I use that knowledge to your advantage. I’ve helped thousands of Aussies take control of their build, dodge the common mistakes and enjoy the process.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EXLUSIVE HOME BUILDING EXPERIENCE?

LEARN MORE

The First Step

In Ryan’s case, we made so many structural changes that the original builder’s 10% copyright clause didn’t even apply. We’d essentially designed a brand new home so we just brought it to life in La Vida Homes’ signature style.

Ryan was blown away by the value for money. Being FIFO, he didn’t want to spend his days off tackling a big DIY list, so we designed it as a true “lock up and leave” home, ready for him to simply enjoy life and make memories with his son, Harry.

A few days after finalising the concept, we jumped on a call and walked through it room by room, exploring optional tweaks. He loved it. We made a few minor refinements, then sent it off to La Vida Homes for drafting and pricing again because I like my paperwork squeaky clean. Once the plans were locked in, the nine-month wait for land titles began, giving Ryan plenty of time to prepare for prestart.

Preparing For Prestart

Before his prestart appointment, we reviewed the electrical plan and cabinetry together so nothing important would get lost in the brain fog that hits everyone about three hours into prestart (trust me, it’s real).

When the day came, the whole thing was a breeze. He was in and out quickly thanks to all the prep work, and La Vida’s 3D modelling and online selection portal made it easy, even while he was away for work.

This is what I love most about my job—it’s not just about drawings and dimensions. It’s about giving people confidence in their choices, clarity in the chaos, and a home they can truly be proud of.

Right now, prestart is finalised and we’re just waiting on certifications and approvals before construction begins.

The Timeline

Here’s a quick snapshot of their journey so far!

Ryan bought the block pre-sale, so the titles were delayed by 9 months after signing the contract. That’s why the overall timeline seems long. We had to wait for the developer to finish installing the sewer, water, power, gas, and retaining walls before we could survey the site and start the approvals process.

Here’s how it all played out:

16 Aug 2024 – Ryan signed the Preliminary Agreement.
12 Sept 2024 – Building contracts locked in.
18 Mar 2025 – Finance officially approved.
23 May 2025 – Land titles issued* (Ryan bought the block presale).
17 June 2025 – Land settlement completed.
3 July 2025 – Prestart meeting, timed perfectly to fit his FIFO swing.
5 Aug 2025 – Prestart selections finalised and plans updated.

*Ryan knew about this timeframe delay from the start, as he had purchased the land presale—before the titles were even issued.

Knowing this is a fresh start for Ryan and Harry makes it even more special. I can already picture the house filled with friends, Harry on the DJ decks (future superstar!), and epic feasts being served from that beautiful kitchen we redesigned together.

It’s not just a floor plan—it’s a home that will hold a lifetime of memories. And I’m so proud to have played a part in creating it.

Stay Tuned...

We’ll be keeping you in the loop every step of the way as Ryan and Harry's dream home comes to life onsite. From big milestones to those little moments that make building so rewarding, you’ll hear it all as it happens.

Stay tuned, this build is just getting started, and there’s so much more to come!

WANT ME IN YOUR CORNER?

If you're building your first home (or even your fifth), and you’re sick of:

Being overwhelmed by options
Salespeople who say “yes” to everything but deliver nothing
Designs that don’t suit your block or lifestyle
Feeling like no one is actually listening to what you want

Then reach out to see if there are any spots in our collaboration with La Vida Homes.

Being FIFO doesn’t mean putting your home dreams on hold. I’m here to guide you through the whole build. No pressure, no upsells, just honest support that fits your swing and schedule.

I handle the hard stuff like finance, land searches, and dealing with builders — so you don’t have to chase anyone on your days off.

You get:

Online meetings when it suits you
Help with finance and pre-approval
Support finding land that fits your goals
A home designed to work with your FIFO lifestyle
Move-in ready homes with no hidden extras
Online portal access to track progress, choose finishes, and chat with an interior designer

Best of all? I’m independent so I work for you, not the builder.