LIVE LOCAL. Meet Gurjit Dhillon
July 2023 in Meet Your Neighbours
Building your own home is one of the most exciting journeys you’re ever likely to embark upon.
And it’s one that over 3,000 Westbrook purchasers have embraced, with over 82% of all lots now sold at the 4,000-lot residential development!
Well, we’re lucky that one of them – Gurjit Dhillon, has agreed to share that journey with us.
Originally from India, Gurjit first came to Australia to study in 2006. Now a qualified chef, he has been resident of Tarneit since 2017. The second-time home buyer secured his lot at Westbrook in Stage 64 in 2021 and is looking forward to moving into his new home with his wife and two young children.
We took this opportunity to chat with Gurjit to discover what made him choose Westbrook and find out how his new home build is progressing.
There are so many factors to consider when purchasing land and building your own house. What made you choose Westbrook?
I’ve now lived in Tarneit for just over 5 years, and in that time it’s popularity as a place to live has just grown and grown. There are obviously plenty of other estates in the area – and we looked at quite a few of them, but we were really attracted to Westbrook for several reasons.
One of the biggest drawcards for us is the estate’s incredibly well-designed masterplan. It’s pretty hard to go past all those fantastic amenities right on the doorstep. Not only do we love all the open spaces, walking trails and parks, but having so many great schools within walking distance also means Westbrook is going to be the perfect location for us to build what we hope will be our ‘forever’ family home.
Westbrook’s location has been another key factor which really drove our decision to buy here. The Tarneit Train Station right in the heart of the estate puts the CBD literally less than 30 minutes away by rail. Plus, the estate is also close to the freeway – and my wife loves the fact that the Tarneit Central Shopping Centre is right next door.
How have you found the sales process?
In terms of support, I can’t recommend the Westbrook Sales Team more highly. They’ve always been so helpful and willing to answer every question patiently and with care. Plus, they’ve gone out of their way to make themselves available and keep us up to date every step of the way via regular emails and phone calls about things like construction and settlement timings. Even now, long after we’ve purchased the land, they’ve continued to offer us assistance and advice as and when we’ve needed it.
How did you decide what you want to build on your new block?
Because this is my second home, I have applied all the learnings from building the first one! I’m also looking forward to incorporating a number of ideas features that we overlooked or didn't realise we needed first time round like higher ceilings, high doors and a butler pantry. Basically we want to include all the things we missed last time!
In terms of what we’re actually building, we wanted a design with a floorplan which would maximise our block’s aspect and capture the maximum amount of daylight. The great thing about Westbrook is that it offered a number of ideally sized blocks to choose from, that allowed us to achieve this. Ultimately, we’ve landed on a single-story four-bedroom home with two living spaces, which will be perfect right now, but with plenty of room to accommodate us as our needs and requirements evolve in future.
How far along is your build?
We’re getting there. The slab has now been poured, which hopefully means the frame will go up soon and the house will start to take shape.
Who is your builder and how did you select them?
While I looked at several different builders, ultimately, I’ve gone with Aston Homes, based on the floor plan; all the quality inclusions in their home designs; and price – we’re getting great value for what we’re paying.
Any tips for anyone thinking about building their own home?
Take the time to find a home design that really works for you, plus a builder who comes recommended by people you know and trust. It’s also worth talking to friends and family who have been through the process themselves for ideas and suggestions.
My biggest tip would be not to hold your breath. Let the builders do what they do best and learn to appreciate and enjoy each step along the way. Keep in touch with your building supervisor and don't be afraid to ask questions – they are building your house, after all.
What are the biggest challenges that you have encountered now that building has started in earnest?
Like everyone in the midst of building a house right now, the general shortage of materials and tradies is slowing things down a little more than we’d like.
When do you expect to move into your new home?
We’re hoping to be in our new house by Christmas – fingers crossed.
What are you most looking forward to about living at Westbrook?
I’m definitely excited about the masterplan – all those parks and open spaces will be perfect for an active family like mine. Living in such a central and convenient location so close to Tarneit Central also going to be great. But most importantly, I’m looking forward to our family joining, and becoming part of, a warm, friendly, welcoming community.”
Would you recommend Westbrook to your friends and family? And if yes, what would you tell them?
Definitely. For starters, I’d be letting them know about all the amazing features and amenities that Westbrook has to offer including extensive parklands and open spaces, plus access good schools, supermarkets and shops, and the Tarneit Train Station close by. In fact, I’d encourage anyone thinking of buying in this area to take a drive through the estate and check it out to really appreciate its appeal and understand why it’s shaping up as one of Tarneit’s most popular addresses. Given how popular each land stage release has been, I’d also encourage them to do it as quickly as possible, because from what I can see, land here is selling super-fast!
