Are you considering building a new home and want to know what it takes from start to finish? Building your dream house can be an exciting journey, but there are also many factors involved.
From paperwork and permits, to design considerations and of course the construction process itself - there is so much for you to think about!
Based on our experience helping clients build their dream homes for over 30 years, we have seen first-hand what makes successful home-building projects go smoothly.
This blog post is a comprehensive guide of the entire new home-building process step by step, all in one handy place. So let’s dive right into it!
Pre-Construction Process
Many things need to happen before actual construction can even begin. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
Find Your Block of Land
If you're looking to build a new home in Perth, finding the right block of land can be both exciting and daunting at the same time.
When you find the right block of land, you’re one step closer to turning your dream into a reality. That’s why it’s important to do your research and understand what’s available so you can make an informed decision.
We strongly recommend that you factor in size, location, access to public transport and possible future development when considering a block of land on which to build your dream home.
It is important to have all the information you need to make the best choice for your unique situation and needs!
Choose Your Builder
When it comes to selecting a builder for your building project, you want to make sure that you are choosing the right one for your individual needs.
Choosing a reliable and experienced builder is probably the most important decision of all. Do your research – ask around and check references.
Make sure that your builder has the expertise needed to successfully complete your project. Check out awards they have won, and what those industry awards are for. Is it customer service? Display homes? Quality of construction?
Don’t forget to be patient with the process as well – building is not always fast or easy, but with the right team in place, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your project is being taken care of so that your vision will turn into reality - exactly the way that you had planned for.
Sales Consultation: Design, Budget, Timing, Finance.
When it comes to building your dream home, there are a lot of details that need to be considered in order for the process to go as smoothly as possible.
Here at Novus Homes we will start the conversation with a sales consultation that breaks down all of the important elements - design, budget, timing and finance - so that you can see exactly how your home building project will progress from start to finish.
There are a lot of features you might want to consider when building a new home.
Our friendly consultants are available to discuss any questions you may have and provide bespoke advice based on your exact circumstances.
Our aim is to make the complex process of designing and building your new dream home an easy and enjoyable experience.
Site Inspection
Conducting a site inspection is a crucial part of building a new home. It's important to understand the contours and features of the land, as these will affect where you are able to build, how much fill and site excavation work may need to be done and so on.
You should also consider the neighbours. Having good relations with fellow property owners can be beneficial in many ways, providing support during the building processes and learning more about the area.
Lastly, if you plan to build in a rural location, it's important to take into account what services are available, including utilities like electricity, water and drainage.
Home Design and Quote
Your builder will work with you to create a design that suits your aesthetic, personal needs and budget.
To bring it all together your builder will typically present you with a illustrations of your home, detailed plans and a quote for the entire project.
This is to make sure your vision is brought to life for both cost-effectiveness and practicality.
With your feedback, the design can be amended as much as needed until you’re confident in giving the go-ahead - knowing that you’ll be left with something beautiful, unique and well-suited to your family's needs.
Administrative Process
As with every project, there is a fair amount of paperwork to be completed before construction can finally begin.
Your builder will either take care of these steps for you or will guide you through each and every step.
From ordering a site survey, to securing engineering and finance approvals, as well as getting council approval - your builder will help and guide you through it all.
That way, you can rest assured that when construction begins, everything is in place and ready to go!
Prestart Meeting
Going to your prestart meeting is an exciting and important milestone for you as the new home builder.
It's a great opportunity to take a look at all the selections and finishes you've chosen for your perfect home, and also ensures that any prestart variations are discussed in detail.
You'll also have the chance to finalise any external consultations related to technology such as electrical, air conditioning and other matters.
Make sure you ask to have experienced consultants on hand to answer any questions or address any queries you may have.
And don't forget that these decisions are a key factor in the building process, so make sure you feel comfortable with the options before confirming them.
Building permit
Having a building permit issued by the local government is a crucial milestone that confirms that your plans meet all applicable construction standards and regulations in the area - an important sign of approval for your project.
Before construction starts, make sure to carefully review your plan and discuss any questions with your builder to ensure that you're fully up-to-speed on any additional steps you need to take.
Construction Process
Once you have received the building permit from your local council the actual construction process can finally begin.
Foundation and Slab down
This is the first stage of construction and it includes things like earthworks, plumbing pre-lay, footings, formwork, waterproofing, pouring the slab, drainage and soak wells, as well as electrical run-in.
The fist step is Earthworks: it encompasses works such as levelling off the site to prepare for concreting.
The next step is plumbing pre-lay, which often includes drainage lines for wastewater and stormwater as well as pre-laying gas pipes.
This then leads to footings: these are a solid base that supports the house's load from walls, ceilings and flooring.
Formwork is also involved which is used to stabilise new concrete whilst it sets - this ensures the structural integrity of your foundation. It provides an opportunity to add waterproofing into the mix whilst everything is exposed.
When everything has been prepared it's time to pour the slab - this can include both interior and exterior slabs depending on your chosen design.
After the slab has been poured the team can move on to drainage and soak wells. These comprise of trenches or pits which collect excess rainwater away from your home's foundation.
The final part of this process is the electrical run in. This involves ensuring that once the house structure is built, the electrical team can easily and safely connect your home to the grid.
Building Shell / Plate High Stage
When your building gets to the Plate High stage, it’s a very exciting moment as it's a major milestone in the construction process.
This is when the main skeleton of the building is erected and starts to take shape.
The steps at this stage of building include erecting scaffolding, executing brickwork as well as assembling a timber framed roof with trusses.
Lockup Stage
Reaching lockup stage is another major milestone. At this stage, glazing will be installed, ceilings fitted and roof coverings put into place.
In addition to this, the external doors are installed, so your home can now quite literally be ‘locked up’.
It is all about getting those external elements secure before final touches can turn your house into your beautiful new home.
The completion of lockup marks an important step forward in your building journey and marks the beginning of the internal work.
Fit-out Stage
At this stage, all fixtures and fittings will be installed to effectively complete the rooms of your home.
This includes the installation of cabinetry for the kitchen, bathroom and laundry spaces.
It also includes all the remaining tiling, plumbing and electrical works in preparation for the final sign-off.
Practical Completion
Practical Completion is a significant milestone for any building project, as it marks the end of major construction works.
It means the home is almost ready to be moved into, and all that's left to finish off the project is some final painting work, installing appliances and giving the home a thorough clean.
Handover
Congratulations - it’s time for the handover!
The handover typically involves a thorough inspection of the completed home, ensuring that all safety and quality standards have been met and everything has been completed to your full satisfaction.
Once this has been completed and you are fully satisfied, the building can be signed off as 'complete' and access to the property will then be transferred to you as the client.
This means you can officially move in and begin enjoying your new home!
So, what have we learned?
Building your own home can seem daunting, and there are a lot of details that need to be taken care of along the way.
Choosing a good builder will ensure the building process is as easy and stress-free as possible.
The builder will work with you throughout the entire process, from finding the perfect block of land and creating a home design that fits your needs all the way through to practical completion and handover.
Let us help you make life's big decisions easier – contact us today to find out if we are a good fit, so you can start living your best life!