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 you haven’t been through the process before.
Step 1: Research
Things to think about when you first start looking at areas should revolve around your lifestyle and will vary from person to person, but often include:
• Access to Transport
• Schools
• Shopping
• Parks and recreational areas
• Proximity to work, family and friends
This should help you narrow down a general region in which you wish to live.
Step 2: Budget and Finance
Before you go ahead, it’s important to establish your budget. When working out your budget you’ll need to factor in extra costs such as conveying, state taxes, duties and fees. Speaking to a mortgage broker regarding this right type of loan to suit your needs and obtaining a pre-approval at this stage, will make things a lot easier once you find your block of land. It is also important to understand any rebates or grants you may be entitled to.
Step 3: Land Selection
Now that you’ve done your research and established your budget, it’s time to find a block of land in your preferred location. Weather you have already chosen your perfect home and then you need a block of land that will suit, or you have decided to lock in land first, there are a few things to remember.
• The cheapest block could be the thing that blows your budget. Often blocks are cheap due to things like fall on the bloke, irregular shape and/or size, substantial levels of fill, easements position or other covenants, all of which are likely to result in higher site costs.
• Take into consideration, block orientation, proximity to any major roads, public transport and/or parks, all of which may add value to your home in the long-term.
• How do the Estate Design Guidelines impact the overall streetscape and what impact will it have on you when building?
• Is your preferred block of land has already titled and if not, when will it be likely to title? It’s important to remember that until your block is titled, you cannot start to build your new home and many builders will only hold their price for between 6-12months after contract signing. So, if your preferred block won’t title for another 12-18months, you have plenty of time to choose your dream home.
Step 4: Home Design Concepts
With your land now selected, it’s time to finalize your home design and builder choice within your remaining budget.
Once you’ve selected a floorplan and facade to fit on your block, you will usually then have an appointment with a colour design consultant or your builder, to select all your interior fixtures, fittings and finishing touches.
When working to a budget, it is important to remember not to get too carried away in your consultation, as it can be easy for upgraded items to blow out your budget quickly.
It is a good idea to go to your colour consultation prepared and with some ideas. Prior to attending to your consultation, find images of colours and finishes you like, or even create a vision board to take along with you.
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Step 5: Finalise Building Contract
Your builder should now put together your home design, all enhancements and inclusions, as well as your concluding site costs (if your block isn’t tilted, a provisional sum will usually be included) into a Building Contact.
It is important you go over both your written contract and the final contract plans, to establish you understand everything and they are completely as you want. Also, you’ll need to analyse weather or not this all fits into your allocated budget.
If there are mistakes or you have gone over budget, now is the time to fix things, as many builders will charge for changes made after contracts are signed.
Once your contract is signed, you will be required to pay your full 5% deposit and this is when you should provide your lender with your contract documentation.
Step 6: Pre-Site
Once your block of land has tilted, your builder will conduct a soil test and update any site costs (if required). Then they will arrange for all external approval such as formalising unconditional finance approval for your construction with your lender, obtaining building permits and preparing the site for construction.
It is now that your allocated building supervisor will contact you, as they will usually be your main point of contact during the building process.
Step 7: Start of Construction
At last, it is finally time for your new home to finally start taking shape. Construction is broken down into several stages and you will usually be invoiced a percentage of your overall contact value at the completion of each section.
- Slab
- Frame
- Lockup
- Fixing
- Completion
Once your new home construction is finished, most builders will schedule a Practical Completion Inspection with you. Don’t be rushed during this inspection, it is your final inspection when you sign off on everything, so if you have concerns or issues do not hesitate to voice them.
Step 8: Final Settlement
With your final inspection completed and any needed touch ups done, it is now time to arrange for the final settlement payment to be made.
Step 9: Hand-over
With your final payment now made, you will receive the keys to your new home. Your new home will be covered by a range of guarantees, warranties and maintenance programs, it is important you familiarize yourself with these details and understand your responsibilities as the home owner, to ensure you do not do anything to abandon any guarantees or warranties.
Step 10: Move In
It’s now time to move in and enjoy your new home!
Click Here to find out The 7 Things you must ask before signing your building contract
