Although it may be a very competitive property market, the process of building a home is something that may not be explained to homeowners looking to enter the market. The construction process can be confusing and complicated at times. We’re here to explain the process pre-settlement and post-settlement.
Pre-Settlement
There are two important factors to consider pre-settlement. These factors include builder choice and build design choice.
Choosing Your Home Builder:
The most important decision of all – picking the right home builder. There are many factors to consider when deciding who is the right builder for you. It may be overwhelming, but the best place to start is by asking your family and friends if they know any reputable building companies and see if they recommend any. After this, you should then do your own research on these builders. Research could include reading past client reviews, looking at their website for credibility and visiting their display homes.
It is important that the building company you go with is reputable, trustworthy and experienced. Factors that will help you decide if they are the builder you should engage with to build your home:
- Credentials – is your builder licensed and insurance? Check if they have a valid QBCC License
- Past Builds – do you like the finishing and presentation of the home?
- Warranty – check to see if your builder has Home Warranty Insurance. If there is an issue throughout the build and the builder is unable to finish construction, this will cover you as the homeowner.
- Customer Service – you will be dealing with the builders for a number of months so make sure they communicate well, helpful and explains the build process so you feel comfortable.
If you planning to occupy the home, you can ask the builders if they have a display home or home under construction for you to view so you can visualise the quality of work and finishes. As a future homeowner, you want to have peace of mind when you’ve chosen the right builder. It is important to remember that if you attend a display home or home under construction, you should ask what their standard inclusions are so you can determine what is standard or an upgrade in the house.
Choosing Your Home Build Design:
Now onto the exciting part – choosing a build design! A builder will typically have plans available that suits all different sized blocks of land. Choosing a plan that has already been created instead of custom designing the house may be more cost-effective for you.
Once you have gone through all the plans, it is time for process of elimination. While deciding on the floor plan, you should identify your “must haves” for a home. These could include the number of bedrooms, if you work from home so you would prefer a study or home office, or if you have a larger family, if an additional living room or home theatre is needed.
If this is your first home, chances are that it might not be your forever home. So, it is important to stick within your budget and not get carried away with all the potential home upgrades that are available.
QPG Big Tip – You should search for the location first rather than the build design. It’s better to search for a design that fits on the block of land you intend to build on, rather than falling in love with the build design but struggling to find a block of land it will fit on.
Once you have decided on a design that is within your price point, you can decide if you want to upgrade any features of the home. Upgrades may include additional air conditioners, high ceilings, wider doors or light fixtures.
Before agreeing to a design, you should know what your budget allows. Your broker or financial specialist will advise what your budget will allow. However, you should budget more than you expect to stay on the safe side.
Post-Settlement
The construction process can be confusing and complicated at times.
When building your new home, there are generally five stages of construction:
- Deposit Stage
- Base Stage
- Frame Stage
- Lock Up Stage
- Fixing Stage
- Completion Stage
At each stage, your lender will make a payment to your builder on your behalf.
After your initial deposit, typically 5%, has been paid to the builder, your loan will be drawn down in the following order.
Base Stage
This first loan amount is often referred to as the “Slab Stage”. This stage will cover the cost of building the foundation of your new home. It will include: laying the foundation of the house, levelling the ground, installation of plumbing and waterproofing the foundation. During this period, the bank will release the First Home Owners’ Grant payment to the builder. For more information about the First Home Owners’ Grant, click here.
Frame Stage
As the frame for your new home will be built, it will be easier to envision your new home. At this point, the building frames and masonry walls are constructed. Plumbers and electricians will attend the site and install essential wiring for power, water and gas. Roofing, cladding and insulation will occur during this stage.
Lock Up Stage
The third stage is the Lock Up Stage. Given the name, the purpose of this stage is to begin closing up the property. It will focus on the construction of external walls, doors and the insulation of the home.
Fixing Stage
During the fixing stage, all fixtures and fittings will be completed in the home. This includes the installation of kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, internal claddings, shelving, doors and tiles. All plumbing and electrical systems will also be finalised.
Completion Stage
As implied in the name, it’s the final stage! This milestone focuses on completing the finishing touches such as: painting, installing fencing, washing the walls and polishing the floors. After the construction of the house is complete, the whole property will be cleaned both inside and outside.
Take the time to complete a thorough viewing of your home to make sure everything is how it should be. You should check to ensure everything has been finished to your expectations and that all appliances work.
In conclusion
If you’re in the market for a new home and are considering to build, let us know! We have 50+ builders on our panel that we could recommend for you to use based on the type of home you are looking for. To find out if you are eligible for any Government Initiatives to use while building a new home, click here. Alternatively, if you’d just like to discuss your homeownership goals with a field expert, call us on 1300 248 514.