Please note - Due to the holiday season, builders and developers may be slower than usual in responding to any queries Close

What Do I Need To Do Before I Start Building My New Home?

The process of building your new home can be complex. There are many different steps before construction can even begin. It’s important to make sure that you are prepared and have the resources available to make the process seamless, to reduce pressure on you and your family.

If you don’t know where to start – here is your step by step guide to preparing for your new home build.

Set your budget

The budget of your new home build is one of the first things you should look at. Make sure that it is realistic, and within your means. Having a budget that is too small will be a source of stress throughout the whole process. However setting one to big could cause problems down the track with mortgage repayments if you overextend yourself financially. When you are setting your budget it is importanunsut to determine whether it will include your total new home build or whether it is open to be extended for inclusions and site costs that will come up.

Confirm where you want to live

Before you can start looking for a house, it is key to decide where you want to live. This will drive a lot of your decisions and help our expert consultants at iBuildNew to create a list of builders who can service your area. Although, many builders can build across Australia, there are limitations.

When deciding where to live make sure that you consider the type of lifestyle that you dream of having. Decide whether you are wanting to live close to the CBD or rather be in a rural or suburban area. You will need to adjust your budget regarding this, or allow for changes if your budget is strict. This may mean that you have to relocate your family and move schools or work.

Determine what type of home you want

Researching your options will allow you to feel confident in your final decision. There are a limited number of ways to enter the housing market, so spend your time understanding each. You can:

  • Purchase an existing house
  • Purchase an existing house to knock down and rebuild
  • Purchase a vacant block of land to build on
  • Purchase an apartment

Each has their benefits, but making sure you choose the perfect fit for your family and circumstance is important.

If you decide to purchase a vacant block of land to build on, or purchase an existing house to knock down and rebuild, this is a perfect time to browse hundreds of new house designs on ibuildnew.com.au. When you are looking at designs, keep an eye out for features and designs that grab your attention. These will assist in the future stages of the building process.

Understand your family requirements

Now that you have decided to build a new home, it is time to create a list of requirements for your new home. Without this list, looking for a new home design can become tiresome. We suggest that you consider the lifestyle you and your family want to live very carefully. This might mean deciding on the following:

  • How many bedrooms do you want?
  • How many bathrooms do you want?
  • Do you want an alfresco area?
  • Do you want an open plan design?
  • Do you want any luxury features such as an entertainment space?
  • How many living spaces do you require?

Now that you have outlined your requirements, it is the perfect time to speak to one of our expert phone consultants. With years of experience in the building industry, they are a valuable resource that you can access for free. At iBuildNew we know that choosing a builder and design is a difficult process. We aim to simplify this by doing some of the leg work for you. Let us create a well curated shortlist of builders who will meet all of your requirements!

Talk to your builder

It is now time to talk to your builder. iBuildNew can put you in direct contact with the best builders for your project. Once you have found the perfect builder, or are working off a shortlist, make sure that you are asking them the right question. This will give you peace of mind and help you get the most out of your new home project. If you are unsure about what you should be asking your builders, it is a good idea to start with the basics such as:

  • How do you manage changes?
  • When the house is built and ready to be settled in, will you do a retouch for the things that needed to be fixed?
  • Do you have any references that I can call?
  • What are your weak and strong points in building?
  • Can you build my dream home within my budget?

If you have chosen a volume builder with a set house design this is also the time when you should ask about any changes you wish to make. For example, can they add a bedroom, or an extra sitting room or possibly add a butler’s pantry. Make sure that you are clear with what they can and can’t offer you. 

Additionally, being clear on what is and isn’t included in the base cost will reduce financial stress down the track. Exclusions such as landscaping, flooring, lighting and driveways can be expensive after your house has been finished, so making sure that you have budgeted accordingly for these is critical.

Secure finance

Before you can proceed you will need to secure finance. You may already have a mortgage provider, or be exploring your own options for finance. If you don’t or simply want a second opinion, our friends at uno Home Loans can assist you. They can compare different home loan options for you, often lenders you might not have considered. This is extremely useful as it can provide you with options that are targeted to your personal circumstance.

Wait for your land to be titled

Now that you have a builder, a new home design and finance, it may feel like you’re ready to start building. Don’t be fooled. If you have purchased land, you will need to wait for the title to be transferred to your name. The time that this takes is variable depending on circumstance, but make sure that you are aware of the time your land will take and account for this in your own personal building timeline.

Let the experts take over here. Titlexchange can put you in contact with legal professionals who can transfer the title of your land to you. While you’re at it you can even get them to review your building contract. With their fixed fees, Titlexchange are perfect for anyone, even if you’re on a budget.

You’re ready to start building

Now the fun begins. You will be able to watch as your chosen builder starts the construction of you new home.

iBuildNew is here to provide advice for anyone looking to build a new house. So feel free to give our expert phone consultants a call on 1800 184 284 and they will endeavour to answer your questions.

iBuildnew Advisory Team
Let us do the legwork for you.
  • We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
  • We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
  • We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing

Zoe Langenberg

Zoe is passionate about coffee and interior design. You can find her most weekends exploring an art gallery or devouring a good book.

About

iBuildNew is the market leading aggregator dedicated to residential home construction and land development. As an independent platform, iBuildNew helps Australians identify and compare new home designs, house and land packages and land estates. It’s the smart way home buyers, who are considering a new build, can find the ideal options to match their individual needs. Home building is a big decision, we make sure you get it right.

You may also like

Aug 21, 2019

What Comes First? Buying Land or Choosing a Builder?

Building a new home is an exciting process! While you’ve probably conducted your initia...
Read More
Nov 13, 2019

Property Zoning 101: Everything You Need To Know

Before taking the exciting plunge of buying property, it is essential to be informed ab...
Read More
Jul 05, 2017

One for the Books: Sydney’s Greatest Housing Constru...

There is good news for Sydney: according to the most recent forecasts by the New South ...
Read More
May 22, 2019

Building A New House? Consider These Optional Extra&...

Some people look upon optional extras when building a new house as ways to up the base ...
Read More
Apr 01, 2022

Knockdown Rebuild Or Renovate: What’s Right Fo...

Picture this: you’ve been living in the same house for 20 years and you suddenly want a...
Read More
Oct 22, 2015

6 fun spaces to consider in your home

When planning your home, advice from the experts is that you should always have a list ...
Read More
Feb 11, 2016

House Builders – 4 Trends You Need To Know

The construction industry moves at a fast pace, evolving and innovating all the time, w...
Read More
Jan 21, 2021

How To Find And Manage Your Trustpilot Reviews

Did you know that all the reviews you have written for various companies on Trustpilot ...
Read More
Jun 25, 2018

Our Favourite One Storey House Plans For Families

One of the main advantages of constructing a new home is being provided with the opport...
Read More
Mar 27, 2019

Choose a builder that is right for you

When building a new house, choosing the right builder is one of the most important deci...
Read More
Feb 11, 2020

Five Helpful Tips For Working With A Builder

There are few things more vital to a successful and low-stress home build than a strong...
Read More
Feb 12, 2019

What Does it Cost to Build a Home? How can I Prepare...

The cost to build a home can be extremely complicated with individuals often having to ...
Read More
Nov 30, 2020

Morrison Government Extends HomeBuilder Grant For A ...

This article was originally published on iBuyNew.com.au and has been reproduced here wi...
Read More
Mar 21, 2018

Should You Find Land For Sale Or a Builder First?

When it comes to finding land for sale, whether in rural or metro areas, figuring out w...
Read More
Oct 24, 2019

The Lowdown On Standard Home Inclusions

Walking through that shiny, spotless display home and viewing each and every feature of...
Read More
May 10, 2019

Emphasizing The Importance of Land Surveying

While land surveying may not be one of the most glamorous parts of buying property, it ...
Read More
May 24, 2019

How Long Does It Take To Build A House?

You may be asking yourself, how long does it take to build a house? The uncertainty of ...
Read More
Sep 10, 2020

Your Land Is About To Be Registered. What Happens Next?

This piece was written in association with Eden Brae Homes. Your deposit has been paid ...
Read More
Apr 08, 2016

6 Leading WA Builders to Consider

When it comes to building a new home, finding the right builder is almost just as impor...
Read More
Feb 27, 2022

Everything You Need to Know About House and Land Pac...

There are many alternative ways of buying or investing in a home. One of the options th...
Read More
Dec 13, 2023

How To Negotiate With Your Builder?

Building a new home or undertaking a major renovation project can be an exciting but ch...
Read More
Nov 22, 2019

Top 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Building A Ne...

When fulfilling the dream of a new home, there are a range of questions that come up fo...
Read More
Aug 22, 2019

Builder Profile: Summit Homes

This piece was written in association with Summit Homes. For more than 40 years, Summit...
Read More
Jul 19, 2017

10 Mistakes Every New House Builder Should Avoid

Building a house is a tremendous project. If it is not managed correctly it can be exha...
Read More

Get more from

Browse Land for Sale