What’s the difference between modular homes and conventional homes?

The major difference between modular homes and conventional homes is the way they are built. While conventional homes are built 100% on site, modular homes are built in a factory environment and then delivered to site for installation and fit-off. Plus, as the name suggests, modular homes are built in ‘modules’ for ease of transportation.

Are modular homes the same as kit homes?

No. While the end result may be similar, the way that modular and kit homes are purchased is quite different. When you purchase a prefabricated modular home, you are buying a complete home, installed onto your site and ready to move in to. When you buy a kit home, you are essentially paying for the working drawings and the raw materials – the owner is then required to handle the labour aspect of the build, including project management.

Where do you deliver your homes?

Our modular homes can be transported and installed almost anywhere within our area of service, which covers Victoria and parts of southern New South Wales. Please refer to the map on our home page to see if your land falls with our service area or contact our team directly to discuss.

How much does it cost to transport the home to my site?

The cost of delivery for your home to site is included in the base price. This is based on the most common route from our facility to your site, however, occaisionally it’s not possible to take the most common route as our trucks must take the over dimensional route. In these cases there may be additional delivery fees.

Are the permits and legal requirements the same as conventional homes?

Yes – the permit process is very similar whether you’re building a modular or conventional home. Depending on your circumstances you may require a planning permit – from our experience they are required in around 70% of builds. A building permit is required for all new homes that are built – both modular and conventional.

How long does it take to build a modular home?

Modular homes are fast to build – from the time construction starts in the factory until you move in usually takes around 14-18 weeks. This timeframe includes the factory building phase (8-10 weeks in the factory) and the on-site fit-off phase (6-8 weeks on your land).

Why should I consider building a modular home?

There are many benefits to building a modular home. They are faster to build, are often more affordable and have less of an environmental impact on your site. You have flexible options when it comes to design and it’s easy to up the energy rating and create a sustainable and eco-friendly home. You also get a complete package – your home comes with many inclusions and will be ready to move in and enjoy on completion.

Will I need to hire a local builder to complete the process or do you take care of this?

You won’t need to hire a local builder – our site team will take care of everything. While the production team are constructing your home in our factory, our site team will prepare the footings and connections on your site. They’ll get your home ready for delivery and when it arrives will spend 4-6 weeks on-site finalising the installation and adding the finishing touches.

How do I go about connecting electricity and other utilities?

This will depend on your site and is an important factor when choosing your land. If the block is serviced, consider the distance from your where your home will be built to the connections. If the land has no connections in place, you’ll need to include the added expense of connecting in your budget. Our team can visit your site to offer advice, and connections to services can be included in our scope of works.

Can I get finance on a modular home?

Yes. More than half of our clients require finance when building their new home. There can however be some challenges to obtaining finance for modular homes. Lenders can find it hard to progress payments while the home is being built off site, and may not want to release funds until the house is completed. This often comes down to a lack of understanding of modular homes, and can be overcome. Our team have helped hundreds of customers in a similar situation and are happy to share our knowledge, chat to your lender or recommend a broker who has experience with financing modular homes.

Can I alter or change standard plans?

Yes. While there are certain design parameters that need to be considered with our modular homes, we have over 40 standard modular homes designs that can be modified to better suit your requirements if required.

Do you build custom design homes?

Yes. We can custom design and build your dream home or adapt your existing design to our prefab modular home building system.

Are installation and footings included in the price?

Yes. Installation onto concrete footings up to 600mm depth is included in the base price given that your site is flat +/- 300mm over the building footprint.

What permits do I need for my home?

All new homes require a building permit and some will also need a planning permit. Planning permits, which are known as development applications in NSW, are compulsory in certain situations and must be obtained before construction begins. If your property is subject to any planning overlays, is within a bushfire zone or an area that is prone to flooding, has more than one dwelling on the block or has heritage considerations, it’s likely that you’ll need a planning permit. Building permits (or Complying Development Certificates in NSW) are issued once your home is built, inspected and found to be safe and built in accordance with the building code. All new homes, whether modular, kit or conventionally built, must have a building permit.

What is a 7 Star Energy Rating?

As part of the process to obtaining a building permit, new homes must have a minimum 7-star energy rating. Energy ratings on homes range from 1 to 10 – 1 being the least energy efficient, and 10 being the best. An approved energy rating consultant calculates the rating based on a number of factors including size, building orientation, insulation, shading, windows, and energy efficient lighting. Our homes are all built to a minimum 7-star energy rating, and there are many building sustainability upgrades that you can choose to include to further increase this rating.

What is a BAL Rating?

If you’re building a new home in Australia, it’s highly likely a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating will be required. There are six BAL categories ranging from low to extreme. A BAL report can be completed by a fire assessor or engineer and they’ll base their findings on the Fire Danger Index, slope of the site, the type of vegetation surrounding the property and how close it is to your home. Your rating will impact on a number of factors when it’s time to build – if the BAL is over 12.5 there will be special requirements relating to materials used. Our standard modular homes are built to a BAL 12.5 rating – if a higher rating is required further upgrades can be added to meet the BAL rating for your site.

Can you build on BAL 40 & Flame Zone rated properties?

Yes, we can build to BAL 40. BAL 40 construction levels are achievable with modular homes, with substantial upgrades to construction materials, which are compliant with the provisions of the Australian Standard for construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas, AS 3959. No, we are not able to build to BAL FZ (Flame Zone).

What is a Bushfire Management Statement?

A Bushfire Management Statement (BMS) is a document required for building in areas at risk of bushfires. It outlines how your home and property will meet safety rules to reduce the risk of bushfire damage. This includes things like building materials, vegetation management, and access for emergency services. It’s an important part of the planning process to help protect your home and meet local council and CFA requirements.

A Land Capability Assessment (LCA) is a detailed assessment and report that is applicable if your property is located in an area that is not connected to sewerage. It identifies site features that will assist you in developing a management plan for your on-site wastewater management that will enhance long-term sustainability and minimise environmental impacts. The LCA will determine the best place for the installation of a waste water treatment system including the location of an effluent field.

How do I know if I can get a modular home onto my property?

Our friendly team are available for advice on access and location, plus, planning and reporting requirements too. We can perform a desktop assessment from our office or physically visit your property to report on its suitability. Assessment pricing is site-specific, and you can contact our team for a quote for your property.

Do you build on concrete slabs?

Unfortunately, because our homes are prefabricated in a factory, our building system requires our homes to be built on a steel floor frame therefore we cannot build a modular home in a concrete slab.

What type of warranty do your homes have?

All Anchor Homes come with a 7-year Home Owners Warranty. Plus, we also offer a 3-month building maintenance period after handover.

How do I know if I am eligible for the First Home Owners Grant?

To be eligible for the first home owners grant you must not have previously received a grant in Australia, not owned residential property before 1st July 2000, the property must be occupied as a home for a continuous period of 12 months within the first 12 months, plus, you’ll need to meet the residency requirements. If you have a partner or spouse, they must also have not received a grant or purchased property previously.

How do I choose the best facade for my project?

When choosing a façade, focus on harmonising with your home’s interior style while also complementing the surrounding environment. At Anchor Homes, our skilled team will help guide you when selecting your façade, cladding materials, and colour scheme to work with your overall vision for your dream modular home.

Can Anchor Homes create a custom facade for my project?

If you have a few creative ideas of your own, we can work with you to bring your own unique facade to life with our in-house architect.

What is the standard ceiling height for the Cubehaus facade?

The Cubehaus facade allows for 9ft ceilings throughout.

What is included in the Hamptons facade upgrade?

The Hamptons façade is an optional upgrade for the Avoca 12, Avoca 14, and Avoca 18 modular house designs. This upgrade includes: Double aluminium French doors, upgraded front door and handle, fretwork with cement sheet backing, painted timber window trim and ledges (3 sides of the home), additional area to home (1.8m2), additional gables, a portico, unlined skillion verandah, stacked stone piers, merbau decking (90mm) and linea cladding to all external walls (180mm).

Are your facades compatible with solar panel systems?

Yes, at Anchor Homes, all our standard facades are compatible with solar panel systems.

Do you design and build custom prefab modular homes?

Yes — Anchor Homes specialises in the design, construction, and delivery of fully custom prefab modular homes. With over 20 years of expertise in modular home design, we have proudly helped hundreds of clients across Australia realise their vision of a beautifully crafted, bespoke prefab modular home.

Do you have an in-house architect?

Yes — Anchor Homes is proud to have Chris Stoik as our dedicated in-house architect. With an impressive depth of experience in custom modular home design, Chris works closely and personally with each client to understand their vision and translate it into a refined design that performs beautifully within our modular building system.

Can your architect help me create a concept from scratch if I don't know what I want?

Yes — and this is where we truly excel. Many of our clients arrive with a lifestyle in mind rather than a finished design, and that is entirely welcome. Our in-house architect Chris Stoik will work closely with you through a thoughtful and collaborative design process. He will take the time to understand how you live, what you value, and what you aspire to achieve before developing a bespoke custom modular home design from the ground up, tailored entirely to your vision, your site and your budget.

How do I start the process of building a custom modular home with Anchor Homes?

The first step is to reach out to our team via the contact page on our website or give us a call on 1300 946 815. One of our experienced project consultants will be in touch to personally guide you through the custom modular home journey. To ensure we can direct you as efficiently as possible, we encourage you to share as much detail as you can. This includes your vision, block location, and any inspiration you may already have. From there, we take care of everything!

Can you work with my own architect or designer?

Anchor Homes primarily works with our in-house architect on all custom modular home projects, as designing a prefab modular home demands an intimate understanding of our construction methodology as well as transport and structural requirements. That said, we are happy to work alongside your architect or designer. Due to the nuances of modular construction, our team would still prepare the final drawings and documentation to ensure everything meets our precise building standards. The good news? Everything you need is right here under one roof.

Can you convert my architect's plans to modular construction?

Yes — if you have existing drawings, whether for a traditionally built home or a modular design, our in-house architect will carefully assess and adapt those plans to suit our modular building system. Some modifications may be required to ensure the design is fully optimised for our construction methodology, and our team will walk you through any changes with complete transparency. Throughout the process, we are committed to staying as true to your original design intent as possible.

Will my custom modular home look any different to a traditionally built home?

No — A custom prefab modular home designed and built by Anchor Homes is virtually indistinguishable from traditional site-built construction. Our homes are crafted and finished to the highest standards, with the full breadth of architectural styles, premium materials, and refined interior finishes available to you.

How much does a custom prefab modular home cost?

As every custom modular home is entirely unique, pricing is tailored to each individual project. The best way to understand costs for your project is to submit an enquiry on our website. From there, one of our project consultants will arrange a dedicated discovery call to understand your vision, design aspirations, and build location, before preparing a clear and transparent sales estimate for your review.

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Article

Client Review: Prefab Modular Home Knockdown Rebuild | Gellibrand, VIC

Projects

August 21, 2026

Written by

Alana McNab

It's a question more homeowners are asking: renovate the home you have, or knock it down and start again?

For our client Angela and her two children, the answer would reshape a much-loved block in Gellibrand, tucked deep in Victoria's Otways. What stood there was a 1940s cottage that had been reworked more than once over the years, and Angela had planned to renovate it further. The more she looked into the costs, the timeframes and everything the work would involve, the more the numbers pointed elsewhere.

So she began investigating a knockdown rebuild instead, and modular construction quickly ticked the boxes a renovation could not: better value, a faster path to being home, and a high-quality result built to meet every requirement.

Working closely with our team, Angela shaped a home designed around both the landscape of her block and the way her family lives. The result: a beautiful, functional family home made to be lived in for many years to come.

The Story Behind This Modular Home Design

Design: Hampton 16 • Bed: 3 • Bath: 2 • Modules: 2 • Area: 152.7sqm

Gellibrand sits in one of Victoria's most distinctive settings, a cool, green pocket of the Otways where rainforest is only up the road and winter arrives in earnest. It is a place with a strong sense of character, and Angela was determined that her home would answer to that character rather than to the suburbs.

“I wanted something different, something with character, something that said the Otways, and something that said my kids and I.” — Angela, Gellibrand Project

The old cottage was never going to deliver that. Rather than pour money into renovating it, Angela chose to knock it down and start again, taking the Hampton 16 from our pre-designed modular home range as the starting point for her new home and modifying it to suit her block and her family. Once she compared the two paths properly, the decision made itself.

“Renovating has become so expensive. The renovation for the old house was going to be over $700,000. No way. You may as well just go for a whole new house and be smart about it.” — Angela, Gellibrand Project

Cost was only part of it. Sticking with the renovation would have meant waiting at least a year simply to get builders on site, then another six months or more to build, all while paying to live elsewhere for the duration. That is where a knockdown rebuild with modular construction quietly does its best work. Because the home is built in our off-site facility while the block is being prepared, the two phases run in parallel rather than one after the other. For Angela, that meant getting her family home far sooner, without the open-ended timeline or the ongoing cost of living somewhere else in the meantime.

The Gellibrand Project Floorplan

From the floorplan you cans see the home runs across two modules, with the bedrooms zoned to either end and the shared living in between. At one end sits the main bedroom, set apart with its own walk-in robe and ensuite, alongside the kitchen, walk-in pantry and dining. At the other are the two remaining bedrooms, the main bathroom and a separate WC, opening onto the living room.

Outside, a Modern Gable facade gives the home a clean, contemporary roofline that settles into its rural surrounds rather than standing against them. When guests come to visit, Angela also points out the stand out feature they all notice in the open plan living area.

"They love the raked ceilings, that's a real feature they all enjoy. The heart of the house feels incredibly big, and it's all coupled together" — Angela, Gellibrand Project

Why Modular Was The Right Pathway

Angela did her homework when choosing the right builder.

She looked into a traditional build first, but the more she weighed it up, the more modular made sense. Her vision for home suited to the Otways and unmistakably her own was going to be easily achieved by buidilng with Anchor Homes.

"It's not the same as the next door's house or one four doors down. It's a very unique build, and that's what I like the best." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

That individuality was the point. A volume-built home would have looked like any other suburban-style home, where a considered modular design could be purposely designed and modified to best suit the surroundings of the block.

"I thought a modular would sit into the environment out here a lot better than your standard cookie cutter that we see in suburbia. The Otways don't give way to suburbia whatsoever." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

Beyond the way it looks, modular gave Angela advantages she came to value more with every step. The design was hers to shape, starting from a proven plan and adjusting it around her family rather than accepting a fixed layout.

The build was noticeably faster, too, because 90-95% of it happens in our off-site facility, away from the trade shortages and weather that hold up a traditional site build. And in a cold, wet corner of the Otways, the quality of the home speaks for itself: well insulated and double glazed, it holds a comfortable temperature the moment she steps in from the cold.

"The build time was actually very quick. It feels like only a few weeks ago they started, and here we are. That timeline, I absolutely believe it's a lot quicker than going with your regular cookie-cutter style home." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

The Anchor Homes Building Experience

For Angela, how the home came together mattered as much as the result.

The build process turned out to be the enjoyable part rather than a stressful one. From the very first design conversations at our Bayswater office, right through to handover, her experience with Anchor Homes and our team was, in her words, seamless.

"Working with the Anchor team was seamless. Nothing was a drama or too much to ask for. We all came together at Bayswater, they'd throw ideas at me, and then come up with something even greater that I would never have thought of. The design process was fantastic, and I can't fault the Anchor team." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

Just as valuable was being able to step back and let the team manage the detail, something she simply did not have the time to carry herself. That is exactly what Anchor Homes is built to do. We manage every project from end to end, handling the design, council approvals and permits, construction, delivery and handover, so our clients are never left to coordinate it all themselves.

"I really didn't have the time to be making a thousand phone calls and emails. I was more than happy to take that step out of the situation and let the Anchor team do what they do best." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

For Angela, that meant one team carrying the build from first design through to final handover, and the whole process made genuinely easy.

Off-site Construction & Delivery Day

Built in our off-site facility, every home is engineered strong to withstand transport and delivery to site.

Rather than being built piece by piece on site over many months, a modular home is made in finished sections, called modules, in our off-site facility. Those modules are then transported to the block by truck and installed onto the prepared foundations, usually within in a single day. It is a very exciting and memorable day for our clients, and Angela took the day off so she would not miss any of it.

"I took the day off for delivery day. I was so excited. I got in the car and drove up to watch, and here it comes around this hairpin corner down the hill. There goes one module, here comes the other. I thought, this is the best sight I could have asked for." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

From there, watching the modules move into position and join together happened faster than she expected.

"To watch it get installed so quickly into the block, they were running a little ahead of schedule. I was completely blown away by it all. Everyone on the delivery team was sensational." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

By the end of the day, what had left our off-site facility as finished modules was standing on the block as a home.

What Stood Out

When reflecting on her experience so far, Angela kept coming back to three things that defined her modular home build:

• A seamless design process. Starting with the Hampton 16 and modifying it with our design team gave Angela a home shaped precisely around her family.

• A home built for its location. Insulation, warmth and quality that stand up to an Otways winter, in a design that belongs in the landscape rather than fighting it.

• The certainty and speed of modular. A quicker path to being home, with none of the open-ended waiting and accommodation costs a traditional rebuild would have carried.

Is a Modular Home Right for You?

This project is a great example of how modular construction can exceed all expectations.

Angela's project is a great example of how modular construction can suit a knockdown rebuild and a demanding climate all at once. Some of the reasons clients choose to build modular:

🤝 Financial transparency — a clear picture of costs throughout the build process

🏡 Perfect for a knockdown rebuild — stay in the location you love with a brand-new home

⏰ Faster build timelines — construction happens in a factory environment while your site is being prepared

🌿 Less site disruption — ideal for suburban blocks or properties with challenging access

✅ Managed council and planning process — Anchor Homes can handle compliance on your behalf

🔥 BAL-rated compliance — homes engineered to meet bushfire requirements where needed

✏️ Flexible design options — modify an existing floor plan or develop a custom brief with our team

🔨 Quality-controlled construction — a factory environment means consistent, high-quality results throughout

Whether you're building a home in VIC, ACT or central + southern New South Wales, modular construction with Anchor Homes offers a clear and supported path to getting there.

Interested In Building A Modular Home?

If you're looking to build a new home, modular is the way forward.

Angela's project in Gellibrand is a beautiful example of a knockdown rebuild project, done the modular way. Her new home was delivered with the certainty and clarity that modular construction makes possible.

We will leave the last word with Angela, for anyone still weighing it up.

"Come and check out what the latest and greatest in modular can get you, because you'd be very surprised as to what it's like these days." — Angela, Gellibrand Project

If you're considering a knockdown rebuild project or building on a new block, get in touch with our team. Whether you're starting with one of our designs or have existing plans you'd like us to review, we're here to help.