Frequently Asked Questions

While many of our clients purchase their land before reaching out, consulting with us during your land search can be highly beneficial. We can provide valuable insights on potential construction costs and optimal land characteristics, such as the advantages of gentler slopes or flat blocks for affordability and ease of building. Understanding the specific conditions of the land can greatly influence the design of your future home, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. Additionally, we offer house and land packages that might suit your needs, making it worth your while to contact us early in your search.

New house construction costs will vary greatly depending on the size, design and scope of the build. The easiest and best way to discover our prices is to speak to one of our consultants who can guide you through our range of options to suit your budget. All of our designs and inclusions can be customised or upgraded to best suit your family, lifestyle and preferences and the price will vary depending on your choices.

Generally speaking, you’ll probably find that choosing a design from our Habitat Home collection does come in at a lower price than a custom build. This is simply because we’ve built them before, so we know how to make them more economical. A true custom build will require us to measure, plan, design, discuss, redesign, estimate and price everything more or less from scratch. That said, it’s also possible to use parts of our standard designs as inspiration, or use certain sections or layouts to piece together your own unique custom built home, without having to start from scratch. Exploring our customisable designs is always a great place to start.

Entering into a Preliminary Agreement does not obligate you to sign a building contract. This agreement is designed to handle initial assessments such as soil tests, site surveys, and plan preparations. As these assessments will inevitably add to your overall costs if you do decide not to proceed, we would strongly recommend that you feel confident in your decision to move forward with us before embarking on this step in the building process.

Building a house often presents advantages over buying an existing one, primarily due to the level of customisation and control it offers. When you choose to build, you have the opportunity to tailor every aspect of your home to your specific needs and preferences, from the floor plan to the finishes. This means your new home will reflect your lifestyle and taste perfectly without the need for costly renovations.

Additionally, building a home means everything is new and under warranty, which can significantly reduce maintenance costs and unexpected repairs that are often encountered with older homes. Also, as new homes are built with the latest technologies and standards for energy efficiency, you can expect ongoing savings in utility costs. Overall, while building a house can require more initial involvement and decision-making, the long-term benefits of customisation, efficiency, and satisfaction often make it a superior choice compared to buying an existing house.

You bet! At Wattle Court Homes, not only is our builder licensed, but you also communicate directly with them, not through intermediaries. This direct interaction ensures transparency and an unbeatable personalised approach. We guarantee all tradespeople and suppliers involved are fully licensed and insured, as we are committed to ensuring top-quality materials and workmanship.

At Wattle Court, we only invite the best of the best to join our team so you can rest assured your local builder comes with the expertise that comes from years of experience. We pride ourselves on transparency and invite you to tour our current or completed projects to witness firsthand the quality and craftsmanship we bring to every home.

Understanding what is included in your quoted price is fundamental. At Wattle Court, we strive for transparency, including as many of the costs to build a house upfront in our base price as we can. Some aspects of the build we won’t be able to price properly until we’ve conducted site assessments that offer us insight into what we’re dealing with underground. But once this is complete, we can give you an exact price. Our quotations are detailed with an itemised list of inclusions to ensure you are making informed comparisons and understand precisely what you are paying for.

While promotions can be enticing, they often mask hidden costs. We recommend obtaining a detailed quote that covers all aspects of your home build, allowing for an honest comparison. At Wattle Court, we focus on delivering real value rather than enticing you with gimmicks.

Absolutely! We believe that building your home should be an interactive and personal experience. At Wattle Court, we involve you in every step, from selecting appliances and fixtures to choosing floor coverings and more. Our personalised approach ensures your new home truly reflects your style and meets your expectations.

Yes, we offer ‘Fixed Price’ quotes and contracts, meaning the price we quote is the price you pay, barring any changes you might request during the build. This approach ensures you can budget accurately without fear of unexpected costs.

Yes, we not only allow but encourage you to visit your site during construction. We value your input and provide regular opportunities to inspect the progress and discuss any elements of the build, ensuring your complete satisfaction.

Handover comes after a final inspection with the builder, where any last questions can be addressed. Once the final payment is cleared, we will hand over the keys, allowing you to move into your new home and start enjoying your new lifestyle. We’re as excited as you are to get to this point!

Wattle Court provides a maintenance period post-handover and a structural warranty. The periods of these warranties depend on the State you build in.

NSW
A 13-week maintenance period post-handover and a 6-year structural warranty.

QLD
Wattle Court provides a 12-month maintenance period post-handover and a 6-year structural warranty.

Our team will source a lot plan from your local council and offer you a free site inspection to discuss your goals, assess the potential of your lot and explore our collection of home designs. From there we establish a feasible development plan before delivering a detailed proposal outlining the scope of the project and all associated costs. Once the final home design is approved, we’ll prepare it for council submission, conduct soil tests and respond to any council queries or conditions during the approval process. When approval comes through, we’ll coordinate demolition with our preferred local contractor, follow up with necessary site testing and sign off on final working drawings as well as the build contract. From here, you can watch as your dream home takes shape from the ground up, with our team ensuring every detail is perfected. Before you know it, you’ll have your new keys in hand and be ready to move back into your brand new home.

Build time varies depending on many factors. Some clients need more time in the initial decision stages to select their preferred modern home design and consider their personalisations. Others already have a clear vision in their head and move through those beginning stages quickly. Once we get closer to the construction stage and have a clearer idea of your final home selection and the condition of your building site, we will be able to give you an estimated build time. Your sales consultant is the best person to chat with if you have any questions about your specific project build time.

House and land packages offer a streamlined approach to buying a home, combining the purchase of land and the construction of the house in the same process. Although they are still separate contracts, this can simplify the buying process, often making it more cost-effective than purchasing land and building separately. Additionally, these packages are typically offered with a range of design options that are pre-approved and can be customised, ensuring that the new home meets modern building standards and includes up-to-date features.

Yes, absolutely. Our house and land packages come with a variety of design options and levels of customisation. You’ll have the flexibility to choose finishes, colours – and even alter layouts – to suit your lifestyle and preferences.

There are several grants and incentives available in Australia to new home builders that can help make the process of building a home more affordable. These programs can vary by state and territory, and they often change, so it’s important to check the current details for where you are building. Here are some of the key grants and incentives typically available:

 First Homeowner Grant (FHOG): This is a national scheme funded by the states and territories. It’s designed specifically for first-time homebuyers building or buying a new home. The amount and conditions can vary significantly between different regions.

 Stamp Duty Concessions: Many states offer concessions on stamp duty for first-time home buyers, which can include substantial discounts for those building a new home. These concessions can make a big difference in upfront costs.

 State-Specific Grants and Schemes: Various states offer additional grants and incentives. For example, New South Wales has the New Home Grant, and Queensland offers the Queensland Building Boost Grant. These grants are subject to specific eligibility criteria and conditions.

 Green Incentives: Some states provide incentives for building homes that meet high environmental standards, such as energy efficiency rebates and solar credits.

 First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS): While not a grant for building costs, this scheme allows first-time home buyers to purchase a home with a lower deposit (as little as 5% of the purchase price) and without needing to pay for Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

 To find out what grants and incentives are available in your specific area, it’s a good idea to visit the official government or state territory websites or consult with a financial advisor or your builder. These resources can provide up-to-date information about what financial assistance you might qualify for when building a new home.