So You Want to Build a Home? Here’s All You Need to Know

Ready to take the plunge? Here’s what you can expect when building a home and the steps you can take to streamline the process.

Why now is a great time to build

With new homes offering great value, generous government grants on offer and many of us stuck at home with time to research, there’s no better time to plan your new home. “Many of our customers are using this time to research their builds and discuss what they want from their new homes with us,” says Oudemans.

The government’s HomeBuilder grant can bring you one step closer to moving into your dream home. The grant provides eligible owner-occupiers, including first-time buyers, with a tax-free grant of $25,000 to build a new home (or renovate an existing one). Better yet, it can be combined with existing State and Territory First Home Owner Grant programs, stamp-duty concessions and other grant schemes. To build a new home as a principal place of residence, the property value must not exceed $750,000.

Consider your needs

Start your journey to stepping inside your dream home by writing a wish list. Consider where you want to live and the house style, layout and functionality that will best suit your lifestyle. When it comes to location, consider factors such as neighbourhood, schools, infrastructure and amenities. For the specifics of the property, split your list into ‘must-haves’ (features that are non-negotiable, such as number of bedrooms and indoor-outdoor connection) and features you’re willing to compromise on if your budget won’t stretch that far, such as luxury fixtures and finishes.

“Be clear about what you’re looking for and what your budget is,” says Oudemans. “Knowing these things right from the start will help you narrow down your decisions fast, saving you time and hassle.”

Set a budget

Establishing a budget early determines what you can afford to build and the areas you can afford to build in. Make a list of all costs that will go into the project, including land, taxes, fees, landscaping and furniture. “Also consider any structural upgrades you may want to make to your new home,” says Oudemans. “These are entirely up to you as our standard inclusions at Carlisle will fit out your home beautifully, but depending on the level of luxury you’re after, you may want to set some extra budget aside.”

It pays to plan ahead. “It’s wise to get lending advice ahead of time so you can make the best choices for your investment upfront,” says Oudemans. “Investing in house and land with future titles can keep your new home plans in line with your savings plans. For instance, selecting a block of land that has a planned title delivery timeframe in the future means you can keep saving while doing all your homework and planning. You will be ready to start building as soon as your land is ready.”

Understand what ‘fixed-price costs’ really means

It’s no secret that when you’re building or renovating, unexpected costs can crop up. If you don’t like surprises – or the idea of going over-budget – selecting a fixed-priced cost option makes sense. While many builders offer this option, take a closer look at the finer print and you’ll find that many fixed-price agreements come with a long list of conditions that can ultimately lead to out-of-pocket costs.

At Carlisle, we offer a comprehensive fixed-price option (depending on land location) that covers everything, bar corner facade treatments on corner blocks. That means if there are any surprises on your block, we carry the cost and you don’t pay a cent extra. You can learn more about our fixed-price cost option here.

Select the right layout

Would you like an open-plan living space where the whole family can congregate? A parent’s retreat where you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet from the kids? Seamless indoor-outdoor flow for entertaining? Before you sign off on a building contract, make sure the layout suits the way you want to live. “Gather images online or put together a scrapbook of homes that reflect the way you and your family like to live – this will help you hone in on your priorities when it comes to layout and streamline the decision-making process,” says Oudemans.

At Carlisle, we understand that everyone’s lifestyle needs are different, which is why we offer customisable layouts. Specify an extra bedroom, a bigger bathroom, a generous linen closet or swap a couple of rooms around – the choice is yours. Read all about our customisable floor plans here.

Look online

Next step, find out exactly what house and land packages are available that fit your parameters. You’ll find easy-to-use, online tools that allow you to do this from the comfort of your sofa. “Once you have set your direction, use our online house and land generator to see the types of homes and packages available that meet your criteria,” says Oudemans (learn more about our house and land generator here).

Work with an experienced team

Building a home is a huge undertaking with endless variables and decisions, so it pays to be guided by a team with a proven track record. “Experienced professionals don’t miss a thing and they can really help take the pressure off when you’re building,” says Oudemans. “With experts by your side, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that you’re making the right choices for your family’s lifestyle and future needs, as well as more technical details, such as choosing the best orientation and insulation for energy efficiency.”