Frequently Asked Questions.

  • Off the Plan:

    Buying off the plan means you agree to a set floorplan and exterior façade. This may include exterior colour selections being made by the builder’s design team or developer. Minimal changes are allowed, and no structural changes can be made. Off the plan has a base cost of inclusions and upgrades are charged as an extra. Off the plan builds are usually sold together with the land.

    Custom Built:

    Custom built is a unique home that suits your needs, lifestyle, and design preference. The client is highly involved and typically speaks directly with the architect when designing the home. Most custom build clients already own the land and choose the builder. The client has a set budget, and all selections are within the agreed price. Overall, it is a more flexible option, but with a larger price point.

  • Yes.

    There are a lot of decisions to make when building a home, we don’t want to just throw you in the deep end and hope for the best, our project manager will be there to help guide you. Appointments are also available with reputable consultants at our kitchen, laundry, tiling and flooring suppliers. Following these appointments, our project manager will go through the items you have selected and work with you to ensure it is consistent with your dream vision.

  • Familiarise yourself with your floor plans.

    Set yourself a realistic budget.

    Have an idea of what is essential and what you are willing to compromise on.

    Research different styles and find some inspiration photos of both interior and exterior homes – you’ll likely find a recurring theme. This will allow your project manager to help you flow your style throughout the home.

    Ask your builder to walk through one of their recently completed homes (if you didn’t already do so in the new home selection stage).

    Look through the brochures provided by your builder and bookmark any of the items that catch your eye. 

DESIGN PHASE

  • Each home and site is unique, and as such so is its pricing. A variety of factors impact the initial cost when quoting your home (e.g., size, complexity, inclusions, site characteristics).

    Following the signed building contract price for the standard inclusions, you also have the option to customise your internal finishes. In your design appointments you have the option to upgrade items to suit you and your lifestyle. Each quote is tailed specifically to your home and issued for your approval prior to issue.

  • Developer:

    A developer finds and buys raw land to create the development. They hire engineers, surveyors, and landscapes architects, who design the streets, landscaping, and common areas. Developers obtain the necessary permits, create building lots (and boundaries), and arrange the placement of everything necessary for the home to have services (drainage, electricity, water). The developer then sells the site to HOME BUILDERS.

    Builder:

    In short – builders ‘build’. The builder (or client) purchases the land from the developer. The builder designs the home floor plan/features. The builder organises the construction of the home. A construction company can be a developer (and vice versa). But building and developing are 2 different things.

  • Once your building contract has been signed and land registration taken place, the settlement process will begin. This process is between your solicitor/conveyancer and the land developer. On settlement, you will be notified once the land has been placed into your name.

    Once we have received a copy of this notification, we can then begin the council approval process on your behalf. While your council process is underway, our project manager will contact you to arrange an initial selection appointment. You will then begin make your selections and enjoy the whole experience while council approval is getting obtained in the background.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE

  • To comply with Work Health and Safety regulations, the site will be fenced off to prevent access without the accompaniment of a Cawbourne Constructions representative. However, our team will be available for walk through at each milestone of the Construction.

    With that being said, we understand not everyone can take time off work to go onsite whenever they please, so in addition, we have a client portal where daily logs and photos are uploaded.

  • We are required to give 2 working days’ notice to council following the issue of approval before commencing on your home.

    On receipt of your deposit and construction certificate invoice payment, the piers will be booked, and construction will begin.

  • This is not recommended.

    Carefully consider your selections before signing off.

    Once signing off, the items are ordered specifically for your build.

    In the rare instance that something can be changed after the fact, there is typically an administrative fee as well as the cost for both items.

    However, each item has a stage at which things can no longer be changed. 

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

  • 13 weeks after the date of practical completion

    (90 days from your first walk through).

  • Following the receipt of your maintenance list, an inspection will be booked without our maintenance team.

    For the inspection, our site supervisor will bring with him the key trades required from your list.

    The trades will attend the property, inspect the concerns, and determine if they are covered under the defect maintenance warranty.

    If approved, they will either carry out the repairs or order in the materials required (if needed).

  • Each home has a 90-day maintenance defect period.

    Following this, your home has a 6-year structural warranty for any major defects.

    Certain items within the house have their own manufacturers warranty, that is held directly with you as the homeowner. Each item’s warranty varies. 

Post-cONSTRUCTION PHASE