Selecting the right home builder for your needs and for the type of new home you are after is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your home buying process. Fortunately, there are some proven ways to speed up the research and selection process and to help ensure that you find a quality […]
When you’re in the process of building a new home, it isn’t hard to see why many people find it appealing to keep costs down by purchasing lower quality materials. But don’t be so quick to cut corners – it’s a decision that you’ll likely regret down the line. Read More…
Customer service from your home builder can go a long way. You’re not just building a home together but you’re also building a relationship. It doesn’t stop once your new home is complete either… Read More…
Open floor plans are also sometimes referred to as “green plans”. They help improve air circulation within the home and reduce the need to use coolers, fans, and air conditioning systems; this, in turn, helps improve the energy-efficiency of your property as well. Read More…
Your time is valuable, and you would be more likely to have a smooth home building experience with someone who responds promptly to your enquiry. Read More…
Ultimately, the builder or site manager is the person that you will talk to every single day. Since they are in charge of the day-to-day activities, they will be the ones answering your questions when you are unsure of a topic or adhering to any requests you might have. Read More…
The first step is to be honest about your budget. Many people feel they need to keep their cards close to their chest to ensure they get the best deal from their builder… Read More…
Let us talk you through the 3 most common reasons for builders never getting back to you. Hopefully, you’ll learn something and be able to avoid these situations in your future building project. Read More…
When planning to build or renovation of your home, consider the position and design. The following tips can help improve the energy efficiency and ongoing costs. Read More…
Building is like any other industry, there is a lot of terminology used and you can feel lost at times. Here are some terms that are often misunderstood… Read More…
The Difference Between a Quote and an Estimate, is very Clear. In this article, you’ll learn exactly why you should be wary of builders offering ‘free’ quotes!! Read More…
Choose a professional builder, such as HIA builders or Master Builders, so you don’t get ripped off, they will offer a written contract that clearly describes the work, materials to be used, timelines, price, responsibilities of both parties and other details as appropriate. Read More….
Most people base the cost of their new home on a square metre rate, and you can never, ever trust that. You’ve got to take into account the difference in designs, otherwise you’re bound to go over budget. There’s all sorts of factors that go into the cost of something other than size or square metres and when it comes to building your new custom home, this applies even more so.
A professional builder is a general building work contractor who can put your whole project together. The builder will assume complete responsibility for the work contracted and give you a warranty once completed. Find out more…
The term ‘variations’ refers to changes to what’s been agreed upon in signed building or design contracts – or any contracts, for that matter. Variations can easily be the cause of a lot of unexpected expense and an unforgettable experience, and they’re often completely avoidable if you know what you’re doing. Read more…
Not only is the prospect of custom-designing your own family home a huge attraction to thousands of people, but it could also be cheaper than buying. That is, as long as you avoid some of the unexpected costs of building – some of which may surprise you. There are heaps of potential hidden costs just waiting to jump out at you and destroy your building budget. Here are five common ones:
As you plan to build a new home, you will be faced with the question of who do I build with? Do you choose a project home builder who is offering really low prices or do you choose to go with a custom home builder, who has experience and knowledge of the local area, provides a unique, one-off home design, but costs a little bit more!
Well, that depends entirely on how far along you are, but the main goal should simply be to discuss your needs and what you want. We explain two different examples that play out in our office, based on whether or not a customer arrives with house plans in hand. Read more…
First, before construction even begins, let’s make sure we have included a few procedures, that are going to be contributing factors to your overall build time. Initial meeting with the builder, contracts and permits, scheduling, construction and key factors.
There are circumstances where renovating is the right choice. If your home is structurally sound and you like the layout and only want small changes then renovating is the way to go. However, if your home is older and doesn’t suits your needs then it’s time to rebuild.
Norm Wales Constructions takes great strides to help you understand the building process from start to finish. We believe that the more informed you are is an asset to the entire process; you can best explain your desires to the builder and avoid the errors and delays that come from miscommunication. To the very end, we encourage you to ask questions.
A homebuilder acting as both designer and contractor is perfectly situated to keep an eye on cost. They have an extensive knowledge of which types of designs and materials will push you past your budget, and should be more than able to guide you towards a custom design that fits your plans, personality, and your budget.
Since the mid 1990’s all new house developments have been required to have a site and soil test and site classification report conducted prior to building. The classification report is used by builders and engineers to plan building site preparation and provide site information to assist in appropriate foundation design.
Building a new house is a daunting experience. Combining all the features and fittings you want into the perfect home, and doing it all on a budget, can be far from easy. Regardless of whether you’re building your own home or an investment property, the key factor determining all your decisions is cost. You want […]
Property is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make. That’s why it is smart to spend some time and energy on searching for an investment that ticks all the boxes, before you make any financial commitments. The main things to consider are usually the location, affordability, securing finance, and deciding if you should […]
Most people don’t give this a second thought, but did you know it’s easy to get sued when selecting the design for your home? It’s true. You may have been told you only need to change a design by 20% to avoid copyright infringement… but nothing could be further from the truth. Here’s how many […]
Why Does It Costs So Much To Build A New Home? And if builders are adding tens of thousands of dollars in profit to every contract they sign, why are so many of them failing every year? In this article you’ll learn the truth behind house prices and who is really making money in the construction […]
There is no right or wrong way to go about building your dream home, whether you start by finding the right location and block of land, or you select your perfect house first. However, buying land and building your home is one of the biggest undertakings you will make and can be quite daunting if […]
Don’t assume every floor plan will fit your family and lifestyle. Builders put a lot of planning and thought into all of their floor plans, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it will be exactly what you need. Check the room sizes on the floor plan are adequate for you. Consider furniture layout and use. Just […]
Straight answer…no, you do not need to have a block selected before finding a builder. In fact, you may even want to select a builder first. While you may have found the perfect building site before you even considered building, most people begin the building process still searching for the ideal location to build their […]
Before you do, there is some very important information you need to know first. In this article, we’ll show you what to look for in a building schedule BEFORE you sign and lock yourself into a legal contract. When it comes to building your new home, there are several things you need to look out […]
Building a home can be a very demanding exercise; not least because you don’t want to forget anything that you will later regret, and you don’t want to burden yourself with an excessively high mortgage you can’t afford. Unfortunately, many home owners who design their new home or select a house and land package from […]
