These are some of the questions our home building families ask us. If you have any others, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
1. The design
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Can I change my mind at the preliminary stage?
Yes; we want you to be happy to go ahead. If you’re not, and you opt out in the preliminary stage, we’ll refund your deposit minus the expense of the soil test. (And of course, we’ll give you the soil test results to take with you.)
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What is brick veneer?
Brick veneer is a brick wall with timber frame and plaster walls.
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What is a niche?
A niche is an alcove or indent in the wall. They’re used in hallways and showers.
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What is a bulkhead?
A bulkhead is a change of the ceiling height. They’re a stylish feature in modern homes and are used to define a separate area.
2. The Process
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What is a variation?
A variation is a change to the written contract between us. It spells out our obligations and yours.
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Why do I need temporary fencing?
Councils require us to fence sites for safety.
3. The Build
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What is a soil test?
Soil tests are one of the most important steps in making sure that your home is built on a strong foundation. Your soil’s characteristics play a key role in determining the cost of building your new home. If the soil is not of a high quality, the builder may need to develop a fortified foundation for the home. They may have to install concrete piers or vertical columns to increase the strength of your home’s foundation. These all play a part in determining the cost of building your home.
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When should I test my soil?
You may want to get a soil test done before you buy a block of land to be forewarned about any surprises at the beginning. This is particularly important if you are wanting to build a particular type of home. This way you know the land is suitable for the dream home you want to build.
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How does a soil test work?
To complete a soil test, a geotechnical engineer will take soil samples from various places around your property. These samples will be gathered using special equipment that drills down in order to examine your soil at different depths. This is important because it’s not just your surface soil you have to worry about – you also need to consider the soil further down, where your home’s foundations are going to sit.
Your geotechnical engineer will take the soil they extract back to a lab. There, it will be tested to determine its different characteristics. Once your soil testing is completed, you’ll receive a report detailing your soil’s characteristics.
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What is rough in?
It’s easiest to access the space inside your walls when the frame is up and before the plasterboard goes in. Rough in refers to the rough installation of the wiring, plumbing or anything else that needs to go into those spaces inside the walls.
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What type of termite protection do you use?
We use Australia’s most reliable termite barrier, Termimesh. A physical termite barrier, which is 100% poison free, requires little maintenance and is backed by the Termimesh unique Pledge Guarantee.
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Can I go to site?
Of course! For safety and insurance reasons, you need to be accompanied by your site supervisor. All you have to do is let us know when you want to come. But if you know the site supervisor will be there to escort you, just drop by.
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What is compaction?
This is the packing of fill to make a firmer platform to build your home on.
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What is fill?
Fill is soil added after a site has been excavated. It gives us a level platform for building.
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Why do I need a temporary power pole?
This pole provides power for construction before the underground power pit is connected.
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What is a screw pile?
This is another method of reinforcing your slab. Usually used in sandy soils.
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What is your average build time?
We allow 22 weeks to build a standard lowset home, and 32 weeks for a standard highset home. We back this with a guarantee that provides double the industry standard compensation if we do not complete your home on time. Please note this this only applies if you choose one of our standard designs.