FAQs

Choosing the right Builder…

A daunting task considering the generally bad reputation Builders seem to have.

First impression – Your Enquiry should be promptly met with a friendly voice and a genuine interest in what you are wanting to achieve. If your gut is telling you no, it is generally for good reason.
Do your research – Are they fully registered? There are different forms of registration for Builders in Victoria, just because they are “Registered” does not necessarily mean they are qualified to do the job. Check out the Governing Body “Victorian Building Authority” for more information.
Price – Cheapest is not always best. There is no other industry where the service is so wide ranging. The Quote might look good on Paper but the devil is in the detail or lack of detail. It is important to educate yourself on what it is you are asking for and proceed only with someone who you can fully Trust.
Word of Mouth – Have you heard of this Builder before? Are they established in the area? Have they built with any friends or family and what was their experience? It is not uncommon to ask the Builder for any of their past Client contact details.

Do you need Planning Approval from Local Council for a new home and how long does it take?

The best advice is to speak with your Builder or the local council but generally speaking if your New Homes is to be on Vacant Land with it’s own Title and complies with all Current Building Regulations then the answer is no. You will just need to get a Building Permit to proceed with your new home.

If you plan to subdivide your land or build another Home or outbuilding on your land then Planning approval from your Local Council will be required – the timeframe can range from anywhere between 6-18 months depending on what it is you are wanting to do.

What is a Building Surveyor?

An Authority that are there for you – the Home Owner. They are independent of the Builder and are the only one’s that can issue a Building Permit. They will monitor the works, notify you on whether a staged inspection has been approved or not and will issue you a Certificate of Occupancy upon completion of works – a certificate that is required before you can legally occupy the home.

What is the difference between a Planning Permit and a Building Permit?

A Planning Permit is consent from local council only, it will have conditions that must be met when developing your land, such as drainage requirements, timeframes to complete etc

A Building Permit is needed for the actual construction of your New Home. Obtaining a Building Permit involves you appointing a Registered Building Surveyor and providing them with all the information required such as a Soil Report, Structural Engineering, Working Drawings etc. Your Builder can generally help you with this.

The Permit will then consist of staged inspections of the Build where your Building Surveyor visits the site at each stage to check that work being done is in accordance with the Building Regulations and the Plans and information provided.

How long does it take to build a house?

Depending on the scope of works – it generally takes 6-12 months from Commencement of works on site through to Handover of keys.