What to Expect When Building a New Home
Building a new home is a process that many people can find daunting – there are so many choices to make, from selecting land to build on, a home design that’s perfect for your family, and the colour selections, fixtures and fittings you want in your home. Having someone to guide you through the process is invaluable, and if you’re considering building a new home for the first time, we’ve put together a short summary of each stage of the home building journey to help explain the process and what’s involved every step of the way.
Contract Signing
Once you’ve decided to build a home, your builder will arrange the necessary documentation such as soil report, levels, plans, specifications, engineer’s drawings, and energy rating information so that a contract can be signed. Once that is complete, they will submit all the documentation for building approval. The builder will also order a site set out survey and arrange to commence work on the site once the building permit has been issued.
Land
If you haven’t purchased land yet, your builder will be able to show you a number of house and land options so you can purchase something with a home design already allocated to that plot of land. Your builder can also put you in touch with their network of land agents and land developers to help you find that perfect piece of land in your desired location.
Home Design Selection
The home design is selected early on in the process. Often clients will already have a floor plan in mind, but for those who don’t, your builder can suggest designs that will suit your block of land, needs, and your budget. Your builder will also be able to help suggest designs with a high energy efficiency, as well as designs that will take advantage of the surrounding environment and views.
Colour Selections
Once a home design is selected, it’s time to make your colour selections. This is often one of the most exciting stages for clients! Choosing your home’s exterior appearance and interior colour scheme can be difficult as you’re spoiled for choice with all the possibilities! A qualified colour consultant will sit down with you for an in-depth appointment that can often take a whole day. The consultant will guide you through the inclusions for each part of the home design and help you make choices based on the latest trends and styles. Your builder may ask you to do you colour selections prior to your contact signing to minimise the possibility of any changes later on.
Inspecting Your Home’s Progress
Your builder will invite you to come and inspect your home’s progress at many stages during the build, often each time a progress payment has been made. At each stage of works completed, clients have the opportunity to do a walk through and work with the builder and electrician to confirm the placement of things like powerpoints and lights, and the location of shower and bath mixers and shower niches. It also helps the client visualise the space and where their furniture will be placed once the home is complete. You are always welcome to arrange an inspection of your home at any time, your builder understands that this is an exciting time for you and that you’ll love seeing the progress!
Handover
Once the build is complete, clients are invited to do a final walkthrough with their builder to ensure everything has been built to specification and is correct. Your builder will show you where all the important things are, such as the switchboard, water pumps, and mains, and show you how to use the appliances. The client then signs off on the build, and the builder hands over the keys to their new home! The builder will also book in a maintenance appointment to ensure the new home is perfect.
The builder will work with you throughout the entire process to ensure you are truly having your dream home built. The builder and their team will offer additional assistance and reassurance as needed during your home building journey, and will ensure you are satisfied with your customer experience and your beautiful new home! To view Hotondo Homes designs and house and land packages, visit the Hotondo Homes website today.
