THE WARRAGUL WAY: A Curation of Local Builders, Renovation Experts, Designers and Cabinetry Professionals Who Can Bring Your Vision to Life
Warragul’s township forms a regional civic centre within the Gippsland region, known for gorgeous tree-lined streets, open grassy areas and delightful local shops and cafes. The region has a strong community spirit,
Also housed within the West Gippsland region and within driving range of Warragul area are the snow-clad ski slopes of Mt BawBaw, alive with snowboarders, skiers and tobogganists in the winter
With all that, it’s no wonder that Warragul has become a prime space for families, couples and individuals looking to settle in an area with open grass and a more peaceful way of life. Over the next several pages, you’ll be introduced to a range of builders, designers and cabinet makers who are keen to see homes in the Warragul area grow and thrive. Between them they have a wealth of experience and skills and they’ve shared their advice and knowledge with us in a series of exclusive interviews.
Roseleigh Homes
Roseleigh Homes is a family-owned custom home builder operating in the Gippsland region. Brad Chugg, head designer and director of Rosleigh Homes discusses his take on building in the Warragul area.
Under Chugg’s direction, the team at Rosleigh Homes offers a highly curated and tailored service for all their clients. This personalisation is evident throughout the whole process but particularly early on, Rosleigh Homes encourages clients to come up with a floorplan from scratch or can help customise an existing floorplan to fit the needs of the homeowner. No matter how the process starts though, the final result is a home that is both practical and expertly crafted to the client’s lifestyle and vision.
As Chugg explains, his company prides itself on “collaborative client relationships, transparent communication and a commitment to achieving exceptional outcomes.” This commitment also leads the team to carefully select materials in order to craft visually striking homes that are built for durability and long-term living.
The Local Difference
Roseleigh Homes likes to predominantly work with local professionals who “bring a deep understanding of the area’s landscape, climate conditions and lifestyle requirements, allowing homes to be designed and constructed in a way that responds naturally to the environment and the way local families live,” Chugg says, going on to explain that local companies also provide improved collaboration. The ability for local professionals to come on site and meet face-to-face enables smoother, regular communication and collaboration. With faster decision-making times and stronger teamwork, problems can be solved faster and quality control remains effective.
Supporting local businesses also helps strengthen the Warragul and Gippsland economy, investing back into the community. This process is something Chugg deeply values. As such, he prioritises working with others who are regional experts, offering services that “genuinely understand and value the communities they build within.”
Warragul Area Trends
In the Warragul area, Chugg has noticed a shift towards acreage-inspired homes, combining modern open-plan living with the natural landscape in a contemporary rural style.
The design brief is often modern country or contemporary farmhouse, with a shift towards earthy colour palettes. Homeowners are keen to have their homes fit with the regions aesthetic and blend well with the surrounding natural environment.
There’s also a trend towards homes that support the varieties of life including entertaining, working from home and long-term family living.
Advice from Roseleigh Homes
Chugg recommends taking time to choose a builder and design approach that will align with your lifestyle and goals, ultimately enabling something that is both beautiful and functional for your lifestyle. Think carefully about how you want to live and what sort of connection you want between the indoor and outdoor spaces. If possible, get a local builder who can “ensure the journey is as rewarding as the finished home itself,” Chugg says.
Herbel Building Group
Herbel Building Group is a specialist building company with a focus on bringing architectural visions to life in the home. Harley Herbel, director of Herbel Building group reflects on the trends he has noticed working within the region.
Herbel and his team believe in delivering stunning homes, ones that are perfectly tailored to each client’s needs, budget and lifestyle. The team focuses on quality, detail and “creating homes that truly reflect the people who live in them,” Herbel says.
The Local Difference
Herbel explains that the local difference is obvious in a place like Warragul. Resident professionals have a strong understanding of the regional environment, weather, soil and council requirements. This means the builders have more knowledge than most when coming into your build and understanding the impact of everything right down to how the orientation of the house and optimal positioning.
Herbel emphasises that as a local building group, his team has a close working relationship with many skilled trades and companies. This is a network that has been cultivated over time by Herbel Building Group and presents a highly skilled connections that elevate the quality of client homes.
Warragul Area Trends
Herbel has also noticed the modern farmhouse and barn-style home trends with many homes “featuring clean gable rooflines, metal cladding and natural timber detailing.” He adds that these styles work well as they’re “a nod to traditional agricultural buildings … executed in a much more refined, modern way.”
It’s the lifestyle that people are coming to Warragul for. The quiet luxury of the country living with more space and slower pace has led the trend towards more tranquil, natural look and layout in homes.
Advice from Herbel Building Group
“Take your time and choose the right builder, not just the cheapest or fastest option.” Herbel says, explaining that your relationship with your builder should centre on trust and a shared vision for the end result.
“We’re incredibly passionate about what we do and genuinely care about delivering homes that our clients are proud of. For us, it’s about creating something that not only looks beautiful, but stands the test of time and feels right for the people living in it.” Herbel explains.
Arkadian Homes
Jeff and Fiona Kittelty, founders of Arkadian Homes, share their insights on the trends across Warragul.
The Kitteltys founded Arkadian Homes 40 years ago to support regional families in building their dream home and have been using their extensive building expertise and local knowledge to support every customer along the way. The motto and goal at Arkadian Homes is to design and build beautiful and affordable Australian homes for every client.
Specialising in residential and custom design and building projects as well as building off of pre-existing architectural plans, knockdown rebuilds and NDIS design and build projects across Warragul, Drouin, Traralgon, West Gippsland, Phillip Island and surrounding areas, Arkadian is well-equipped for your next building project.
The Local Difference
As a building company that has worked in the area for 40 years, Arkadian Homes is well-equipped to understand not just the building and construction complexities, but also the unique logistical side of building in the Warragul area.
Their knowledge of the area can also help them advise clients on purchasing land and the best solutions for your site and lifestyle.
The Kitteltys emphasise that they are a family-owned business building predominately for families and are providing “a very genuine service to deliver the absolute best for the clients.” Every project is treated personally, and the Kitteltys have access to a strong network of other local trades that can help them craft a beautiful final result
Warragul Area Trends
Arkadian Homes has seen a variety of clients building in the Warragul area, from young families to couples looking for change, or downsizers needing a different type of home, one that acts as a daily retreat for them but has room for their children and grandchildren to come and stay.
Across all these clients though, comfort and connection to a more peaceful life is at the essence of what they are looking for. Arkadian Homes designs carefully to ensure these elements are coming through in the floorplan, implementing open spaces with little nooks built for relaxation. Many clients are also seeking a separate suite or area of the house for family to stay, or even to offer out as an Airbnb to people staying in the area
Advice from Arkadian Homes
For Arkadian Homes, it’s all about ensuring both the home’s design and the client-builder relationship are right. This approach shapes every part of the building process.
As the Kitteltys state, “We’re really proud of the homes we build and the relationships we build with our clients. Our local expertise, gives every one of our clients an advantage in knowing the best way to build their home and our genuine desire to create something special for each client means we will always be upfront and honest … nothing means more to us then delivering homes that our clients will grow in and love.”
Inside Bathroom Co.
Inside Bathrooms Co. is a registered, family-owned builder and interior designer operating in the Warragul area and beyond. With a focus on bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and home renovations the team at Inside Building Co. take care of everything from first design right through to completion.
Antonio Tony Scalise, director, builder and interior designer at Inside Bathrooms Co. chats about the latest updates in Warragul, namely in the renovation space.
Scalise describes his company’s services, “What makes us different? We listen. Your ideas are where every project begins, and our experience, knowledge, and love of the craft are what bring them to life. We never take it for granted that you’ve chosen us, and we work hard to earn that trust every step of the way.” He adds that, “clear communication and professionalism aren’t just words to us; they’re how we operate, every single day.”
The Local Difference
Working with a local building expert who specialises in home renovations and bathroom construction means that you benefit from their relationships with local suppliers and tradespeople.
As Scalise points out, “that trust and familiarity [with other local tradespeople] help streamline the entire process and being local makes project management much easier.”
At the end of the day, working with a local renovation and interior building expert helps give the build stronger quality control.
Warragul Area Trends
Within Warragul, Scalise has noticed a growing trend of people purchasing older homes with the intention of renovating, whether to update the existing home or to create something totally new. He notes that many of these people seem to be from the outer suburbs and are wanting a property with a bit of land.
Sometimes the easiest place to buy land is an existing house that needs a bit of love. And that’s where Inside Bathroom Co. is an invaluable asset, working to refine and perfect what you’ve got, rather than building on the expectation of a clean slate, empty block development.
Advice from Inside Bathroom Co.
For Scalise, a successful renovation starts on the right foundation. You need to engage a qualified builder and designer wo can develop a thorough plan before any work begins. Scalise emphasises that “For projects such as kitchen, bathroom, or laundry renovations, it’s essential to work with a professional team that uses premium products and materials, and maintains clear, consistent communication to keep the project on track from start to finish.”
Perhaps the most profound advice Scalise had was a personal mantra for him and his team: “the best renovations aren’t just well-built. They’re built on trust.”
Gippy Custom Cabinets
Gippy Custom Cabinets, is a family-owned and -operated business based in Warragul and specialising in the design, manufacturing and installation process of high-quality custom joinery for residential and commercial spaces. Michael and Charlie Griffin, the directors of Gippy Custom Cabinets discussed their unique insights into the Warragul region.
As a specialist in kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, wardrobes, entertainment units, home offices and a range of other custom storage solutions, Gippy Custom Cabinets is dedicated to delivering functional and beautifully crafted spaces that stand the test of time.
Working closely with clients, builders, designers and other professionals through every stage of the project, Gippy Custom Cabinets ensures great communication throughout, even making use of 3D design technology to help clients visualise their project before manufacturing begins, giving time to iron out issues before they even arise
The Local Difference
Working with a local building expert to build your home has many advantages. Locals understand the lifestyle and architecural styles of the area as well as the council requirements and environmental conditions, giving them more details to work from.
Gippy Custom Cabinets explain to us that the team “value collaborating closely with local builders, designers and trades” as it enables clear communication and coordination and allows for greater flexibility and faster response time.
“Supporting local businesses not only contributes to the regional economy but also provides clients with the confidence that they are working with trusted professionals who take pride in their reputation within the community,” Gippy Custom Cabinets told us.
Warragul Area Trends
Gippy Custom Cabinets is noticing a shift towards timeless interiors “that balance functionality with contemporary design.” As many of our other Warragul builders have highlighted, the team has noticed a shift towards earthy tones, particularly natural timber and away from the traditional white kitchen.
There’s also quite a demand for high-quality, locally crafted cabinetry that is built to last a long time and designed for durability and functionality, especially if the designs help the spaces feel connected to the surrounding Gippsland landscape.
Advice from Gippy Custom Cabinets
Gippy Custom Cabinets recommends that clients “invest time in the planning and design stage of the project,” taking time to carefully consider how they want to use the space now and in the future. This investment will be beneficial for years to come.
A well-built home should prioritise quality craftsmanship. It’s about more than just aesthetics.
The team at Gippy Custom Cabinets told us that “As a family-owned business, we take great pride in building lasting relationships with our clients and collaborating with local builders, designers and trades to bring each vision to life. We are incredibly grateful for the support of our local community and look forward to helping more Gippsland families create spaces they will love for years to come.
