Building your Dream Home in 10 Steps
Naturally there are a lot of steps to building a new home. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, with Norm Wales Constructions it’s exactly the opposite. We’ve been doing this for over 20 year’s and we believe a smooth, hassle free process is equally as important as a stylish, modern new home. We have the process down to an art and we take care of absolutely everything. So, you can enjoy the ride.
Once you have decided to build your new home with Norm Wales Constructions, here’s what will happen.
Click to navigate the steps
1.THE ENQUIRY > 2.The First Meeting > 3.The Prelim Stage > 4.The Design Concept > 5.The Final Design > 6.The Quotation > 7.The Fixed Price Contract > 8.The Approvals & Selections > 9.The Construction Commencement > 10.The Handover
The Enquiry
It all starts with a call where we ask one simple question – what are you looking for? This is where you can start telling us about your new home, extension or remodelling project. This gives a clear initial indication of your project’s scope and what your expectations may be. And from here we can also arrange when our first all-important meeting will take place
What We Do:
- Ask you questions relating to your build
- Arrange a convenient time to meet
What You Do:
- Tell us about the home you are wanting
The First Meeting
This is normally your first visit to Norm Wales Constructions. At this meeting you will meet Norm and his team, and they will begin guiding you through the building process.
The Meeting we will cover everything we need to know about the project: your block, budget, expectations, style, concepts, and project potential. For both extensions and new homes, we give you a chance to choose between our pre-drafted plans, your own plans or to create plans from scratch.
In the case of those seeking to create new plans from scratch, this will also be our chance to obtain every detail our drafts people will need in order to create the right plans for you. As a plus, this meeting can occur on your freshly bought block, in our office or on the site of one of our own in-process builds, where you can see what exactly it is, we do.
What We Do:
- Sit down and discuss your proposed build
- Help you develop your ideas and suggest some design solutions
- Discuss your budget and associated costs
What You Do:
- The more you can tell us about yourself the better
- Have some ideas in mind and a budget ready
The Prelim Stage
This is where you intend to have works performed and have engaged Norm Wales Constructions to carry out certain preliminary tasks prior to both parties entering into a contract for construction works.
What We Do:
- Sit down and take you through your options
- Explain in detail what each option is about and it’s associated costs
- Help you select what option is best for you
What You Do:
- Supply us with any information you may already have such as “soil tests”
- Decide which option you are happy to proceed with
The Design Concept
This is where Norm Wales Constructions presents you with a drafted copy of your Custom Designed Home. Making sure that the concept suits the block and the design is workable and meets your needs and requirements
What We Do:
- Sit down and take you through the design sketch
- Point out any of our concerns and give you our professional opinion on how to solve these issues
- Amend any changes required
What You Do:
- Take your time and look over the sketch
- Point out any of your concerns
- Notify us of any changes required
The Final Design
This is where the final design is confirmed and signed off on by you. This is the drafted copy that will be sent off to all Norm Wales Construction contractors for quoting purposes.
What We Do:
- Sit down and go over the drawings for the finaltime
- Point out changes requested, and amendments made
- Proceed to send out copies for quoting
What You Do:
- Make sure you are completely happy with the design, concept and features of your New Home
- Confirm by signing off on them
- Sit back and wait for the Quotation to be compiled
The Quotation
This is the stage where Norm Wales Constructions compiles all quotes from other contractors and all other relevant information required to put together a comprehensive Building Proposal for you.
By not working to a strict per-square-metre pricing structure, we are able to give our quotes greater degree of flexibility and affordability. Each quote will cover a general figure as well as specific details of all particulars of the build, including your unique inclusions and exemptions. By tailoring every quote specifically to the individual project, we can better guarantee that you are paying no more or less than you should for what it is you want to achieve.
What We Do:
- Gather information required for the quotation
- Compile a comprehensive Building Proposal
- Present the Building Proposal to you
What You Do:
- Read through the Building Proposal thoroughly
- Ask as many questions as required to make sure you to have a full understanding of the Building Proposal
- Give Norm Wales Constructions permission to proceed to Contract Stage
The Fixed Price Contract
This is once the Building Proposal has been accepted. We then move on to the signing of the Contract. The Contract is a Master Builders Contract and will be a fixed price contract.
The Contract With your quote approved, we can proceed with signing contracts, conducting soil and energy efficiency tests, as well as having all elements assessed by our draftsperson, certified by a trusted private certifier, and approved by the council. As much as possible, we aim to decrease the amount of hassle on your end by seeing to all the red tape, approvals and paperwork.
What We Do:
- Sit down and fill out contract
- Explain in detail what the Contract is about and it’s associated costs
- Answer any questions you may have
- Once the contract is signed we will than invoice for deposit
- Schedule job in
What You Do:
- Read through the Contract thoroughly
- Ask questions if you have any concerns
- Initial each page of the Contract and The Building Proposal
- Email confirmation of payment of the deposit
The Approvals and Selections
At this stage, the deposit has been paid and all documentation has been sent to their respective departments for approval. While these documents are receiving approval, you will start your final selections
What We Do:
- We will send off documentation for approval
- Start compiling selections list
- Complete Work Flow Schedule
What You Do:
- Make your final selections
The Construction Commencement
This is when Norm Wales Constructions actually starts construction of your new home.
The Build With everything approved and ready, we can start on your project. From day one you can rely on us to be prompt, honest, efficient, professional and focused; we are there to do a job to the highest professional standards and nothing less. At all stages of the project we will keep you fully informed of our progress and will keep you in the loop about any recommendations, delays or any other essential details.
From one stage to the next we welcome your input, taking on suggestions and changes with little fuss; this includes ongoing inspections of the home where you can outline the likes of lighting fixtures, tap fixtures, power points, etc.
What We Do:
- Construct your new home
What You Do:
- Watch your new home come together piece by piece
- Walk through with Norm and contractors to make sure, everything is as you wanted.
The Hand Over
This is when your New Home is completed and Norm Wales Constructions hands over the keys to your New Home.
When the build stage project is completed, we will walk you through all aspects of the final result. This is our chance to ensure that what has been constructed is a clear and effective realisation of the plans that we agreed upon together.
What We Do:
- Make sure your New Home is perfect
- Present you with the keys to your Home
What You Do:
- Sit back and enjoy your New Home
Working with the situation
Having worked in the industry for so long, we understand that whether it is a new home, extension or remodelling project, no two jobs are alike.
And while we have developed an approach and a process that allows us to more effectively handle the little details and road bumps in each and every build, we do our best to work within the specific confines of the job at hand, doing everything we can to make the most of any opportunity and solve any dilemma.
The bulk of our approach and process is guided by and approved of by the Masters Builders Association.
