Custom Home Builder Mount Martha
- Registered Builder VIC
- Master Builders Member
- HIA Award Winner
- Director-led Every Build
- ABN 12 645 745 633
Built for the
Peninsula.
Mount Martha is one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most sought-after coastal suburbs — a location defined by hillside blocks with sweeping Port Phillip Bay views, tree-lined streets, and a relaxed yet refined lifestyle. For families upgrading their forever home or homeowners looking to knock down and rebuild, Mount Martha offers something rare: the space, the views, and the community of a coastal village within an hour of the CBD.
At NB Custom Builds, we’ve been building on the Mornington Peninsula for over 18 years. We understand the terrain, the council requirements, and the architectural character that makes Mount Martha homes so distinctive. Whether you’re building on a sloping coastal block, designing around Port Phillip Bay views, or rebuilding on an established street, we bring the same boutique approach and personal involvement to every project — from the first site visit to final handover.
NB Custom Builds. Built on the Peninsula. Built to last.
Why Mount Martha
Homeowners
Choose Us
Building a custom home is one of the largest decisions you’ll make. Choosing the right builder determines whether it’s a process you enjoy — or one you endure.
Nick Barbera has personally led every NB Custom Builds project for over 18 years on the Mornington Peninsula. That means when you call, you speak to the director. When a decision needs to be made on your build, it doesn’t wait for a meeting — it gets handled.
We work with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council regularly and understand the planning overlays, BAL ratings, and coastal design requirements specific to Mount Martha and surrounding suburbs. Our boutique approach means we take on a limited number of builds each year — ensuring your project gets the time, attention, and craftsmanship it deserves.
No volume. No shortcuts. Just quality custom building, delivered personally.
Our Mount Martha
Building Services
From luxury coastal retreats to precision knock down rebuilds — each service delivered with personal involvement from first concept to handover.
Luxury Custom Builds
Architecturally designed residences that maximise Port Phillip Bay views, outdoor living, and the coastal light. Open plan, raked ceilings, premium material selection.
Sloping Block Builds
Mount Martha’s upper streets present some of the Peninsula’s most challenging terrain. We specialise in split-level and basement-integrated designs that turn a difficult block into a standout home.
Knock Down Rebuild
Many of Mount Martha’s older Weatherboard homes sit on exceptional blocks ready for a new chapter. We manage the full KDR process — permits, demolition, and build.
Home Extensions
Substantial extensions and renovations that seamlessly blend with your existing home and maximise block value — delivered to the same standard as a full build.
Sustainable Builds
Passive solar design, double-glazing, and energy-efficient specifications suited to the Peninsula’s coastal climate and building environment.
Dual Occupancy
For larger blocks with subdivision potential, we build dual-occupancy residences that maximise site value — two quality homes on one premium Peninsula block.
Our luxury custom home builds in Mount Martha are architecturally designed residences built around your block’s specific aspect, view lines, and lifestyle. We work with Peninsula-based architects and interior designers, or can provide referrals suited to the suburb’s character.
Every luxury build receives director-level supervision from Nick Barbera throughout — from the first site visit to final handover.
Typical inclusions
- Architect-ready documentation
- Premium cladding & roofing
- Double-glazed windows standard
- Passive solar orientation
- Director supervision — full build
Many of Mount Martha’s older Weatherboard and brick homes sit on exceptional blocks that are ready for a new chapter. Knock down rebuild is one of the most popular paths to a premium custom home in the suburb — and we manage the full process under one roof.
Permits. Demolition. Build. Handover. One builder, one relationship, one standard of quality.
- 1. Site assessment & design brief
- 2. Council planning & permit advisory
- 3. Demolition & site preparation
- 4. Full custom build
- 5. Handover
Sloping terrain is common in upper Mount Martha, and it’s something we have extensive experience with. Our approach includes engineer-certified footing design, split-level floor plans that reduce cut-and-fill, and basement integration where appropriate.
Rather than engineering around a sloping block, we design to embrace it. The result is usually a better home with better views.
What sloping blocks require
- Engineer-certified footing design
- Retaining wall design & integration
- Split-level or basement floor plans
- Maximising view corridors
Passive solar design, double-glazing, and energy-efficient specifications are central to building well on the Mornington Peninsula coast. Our sustainable home builds are designed for the coastal climate — reducing running costs and improving liveability year-round.
Understanding Mount Martha's
Blocks & Environment
Building in Mount Martha requires more than standard residential construction knowledge. The suburb’s hilly terrain, coastal exposure, and council overlays create a specific set of design and engineering requirements — and we’ve been navigating them for nearly two decades.
Sloping Terrain
Upper Mount Martha streets feature significant fall, requiring engineer-certified footings, retaining wall design, and in some cases, basement integration.
| Footings | Engineer-certified footing design required on most hillside blocks. We identify soil conditions and slope early in the site assessment. |
| Design | Split-level floor plans reduce cut-and-fill and produce homes that sit naturally in the landscape — not against it. |
| Views | Sloping blocks, designed well, produce the best views. We orient every floor plan to maximise Port Phillip Bay sightlines. |
Coastal Wind & Salt Exposure
Material selection matters here. Double-glazed windows, treated cladding, and corrosion-resistant fixtures are standard in our coastal build specifications.
| Cladding | Treated fibre cement or engineered timber specified for salt-air environments. Untreated timber is not recommended on coastal facades. |
| Windows | Double-glazed with thermally broken aluminium frames — standard for both coastal wind performance and energy efficiency. |
| Roofing | Colorbond or zinc roofing systems recommended. Terracotta is suitable on more sheltered blocks. |
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Many Mount Martha blocks fall under specific planning overlays — NB Custom Builds provides permit advisory as part of our service. We know what Mornington Peninsula Shire requires, and we make sure your project meets it.
| Permits | Planning permits required in addition to building permits on many blocks — particularly near coastal reserves and management zones. |
| Overlays | Coastal management zones, vegetation overlays, and design guidelines apply across parts of the suburb. We identify these at site assessment. |
| Advisory | NB Custom Builds handles council liaison and permit advisory — you don't need to navigate Mornington Peninsula Shire alone. |
Bushfire Attack Level Ratings
Some Mount Martha properties — particularly near the escarpment fringe and coastal reserves — fall under BAL overlays requiring specific material specifications.
| Assessment | We identify BAL requirements during site assessment — before design begins. No surprises mid-build. |
| Materials | BAL-compliant specifications for windows, doors, decking, and roof penetrations are included from day one. |
Mount Martha's Local Character
Mount Martha is defined by its hillside coastal setting, Port Phillip Bay views, proximity to Balcombe Grammar, and a relaxed but refined community character attracting families, professionals, and downsizers alike.
| Style | Coastal contemporary, Hamptons-influenced, and modernist styles all suit Mount Martha's character and perform well in the local market. |
| Schools | Proximity to Balcombe Grammar, Toorak College, and Peninsula Grammar makes Mount Martha one of Victoria's most family-oriented coastal suburbs. |
| Market | Quality custom builds in Mount Martha command premium resale prices — making your builder choice a long-term financial decision. |
Recent Builds
Near Mount Martha
Stokes Street, Flinders
Peninsula Residence
Wilson Crescent, Dromana
Trusted by Peninsula
Homeowners
Google Reviews
Frequently Asked
Questions
Everything you need to know about building a custom home in Mount Martha — from permits and council requirements to costs and home styles.
Do you build custom homes in Mount Martha?
Yes — Mount Martha is one of our core service areas on the Mornington Peninsula. We’re based in Dromana and travel across the full Peninsula for projects. We regularly build in Mount Martha and nearby suburbs, including Safety Beach, Mount Eliza, and Mornington. Call Nick directly to discuss your project: +61 483 938 575.
What types of homes suit the Mount Martha area?
Mount Martha’s coastal character suits a range of architectural styles — from coastal contemporary (open plan, passive solar, raked ceilings) to Hamptons-influenced designs popular in the suburb’s established streets. Hillside blocks in upper Mount Martha suit split-level and elevated designs that maximise Port Phillip Bay views. We work with you to design a home that responds to your specific block, aspect, and lifestyle.
How do you handle sloping blocks in Mount Martha?
Sloping terrain is common in upper Mount Martha, and it’s something we have extensive experience with. Our approach includes engineer-certified footing design, split-level floor plans that reduce cut-and-fill, and basement integration where appropriate. Rather than engineering around a sloping block, we design to embrace it — the result is usually a better home with better views.
What council permits are needed to build in Mount Martha?
Building in Mount Martha falls under Mornington Peninsula Shire Council jurisdiction. Depending on your block, you may require planning permits (in addition to building permits), Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments, and compliance with coastal management overlays. NB Custom Builds provides permit advisory as part of our pre-construction process — we handle the paperwork and council liaison so you don’t have to.
How much does a custom home cost to build in Mount Martha?
The cost of a custom home depends on a range of variables: size, specification level, site conditions, slope, and finish quality. Rather than give a figure that may not reflect your project, we prefer to discuss your specific block and brief in a consultation. Book a call with Nick to get an honest, realistic picture of what your build will cost.
Ready to Build
in Mount Martha?
If you’re planning a custom home, knock down rebuild, or renovation in Mount Martha, we’d love to hear about your project.
+61 483 938 575
Or fill in the form — we’ll be in touch within 1 business day.
Service Area
Mount Martha · Safety Beach · Mornington · Mount Eliza · Sorrento · Dromana · Rosebud · Rye · Blairgowrie · Portsea · Flinders · McCrae
Choose a registered and fully certified Custom Home Builder Mornington knows and trusts. With over 18 years of industry expertise, NB Custom Builds is the Peninsula’s leader in innovative, affordable custom homes
ABN: 12 645 745 633