New house construction costs will vary greatly depending on the size, design and scope of the build.

As an example, a typical 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car, single storey home under 250m2 built to our current inclusions can sit around $400,000 – $550,000*, but this relies on several unknown factors such as the soil type, slope and location of your block, the exact size and layout of the floorplan, and any changes you make to the layout or inclusions, etc. 

The most reliable way to understand how far your budget will go is to speak to our Consultants about what you want to build and where, followed by a proper site assessment. We only build to a Fixed Price Contract, which we create for you only after we understand all these factors. 

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.

*As of September 2026. Indicative pricing only. Trade and material costs are constantly changing, so speak to your local builder for an accurate quote.

Yes, but rather than just giving you one quote, we break this down into two tiers.

We initially provide you with a Price Guide upfront once we know a few basic factors about your home. This is indicative pricing only – we don’t build to this price – but it gives you an idea of where your project sits so you can refine the scope with us to roughly match your budget.

Once you feel good about the Price Guide, we then proceed to create you a Fixed Price Quote, which comes with a Contract and is the price we build to. To get a Fixed Price Quote, we require a Fee For Service to complete site surveys, draw detailed plans, and factor in all your items.

Understanding what is included in your quoted price is fundamental. We strive for transparency, including as many of the costs to build a house upfront in our Price Guides as we can, but some aspects of the build we can’t price accurately until we’ve conducted the site surveys and received professional reports & designs. 

But once this is complete, we give you a Fixed Price Quote with a detailed, itemised list of inclusions to ensure you are making informed comparisons and understand precisely what you are paying for.

Our Fixed Price Contracts are locked and do not change once you sign a contract with us*. 

If you request a change to an inclusion or non-structural feature after signing the contract, we charge this separately as a variation. We don’t allow structural changes after contracts are signed.

This is the reason we charge a Fee For Service and do the detailed work upfront – it protects both you and us. Too many builders give out quotes that are not fully informed, and it either blows out later, or puts the builders solvency on the line which puts the completion of your home at risk.

*In rare cases some sites require deeper screw piers, or have rock underground that needs removing, which we can’t discover until earthworks commences. While we do include Provisional Sums for both of these in our contracts, if the required work exceeds these provisionals they are charged as an extra cost.

The Fee For Service covers the necessary surveys your build requires, such as the site survey and wind and soil classification, as well as the detailed work to draft your final plan, and price your design and inclusion items accurately. 

The good news is that the Fee For Service cost is deducted out of your total contract, so if you choose to build with us it’s not an additional expense, it’s included in your total price. 

If another builder has given you a quote, but hasn’t done this work, they won’t know what’s in the ground or what truly affects the costs. This form of pricing puts you at risk, because if a builder doesn’t truly know the costs involved and goes under, it’s your build on the line.

We give both you and us the peace of mind by accurately quoting. We start with an indicative Price Guide upfront, and then once you’re comfortable with that we request the Fee For Service from you to proceed to the Fixed Price quote stage. Speak to our team for a full rundown of our fees and claim stages.

Our inclusions are selected from quality suppliers with household names, such as Reece for plumbing and tapware, Caesarstone for benches, National Tiles for flooring, and Gainsborough for door furniture. All our pricing is based on our standard inclusions which are hand selected to give you the best value for money. Reach out to us if you would like a copy of our Inclusions Brochure.

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.

However, there are some things to know:

1. First is that our initial quoted prices are based on our standard Inclusions, which we have hand-selected to provide the best quality and value (ask our team for a copy of our Inclusions brochure). While you have flexibility to select items outside of this range, it will typically come as an extra cost. 

Example A – If you’re dreaming of a specific Tap for your kitchen, and it’s easily sourced from a nearby supplier – that’s totally fine. We simply take out the cost of our standard Inclusions Tap from our price, and then add in the cost of your chosen Tap.

2. The second caveat is that we typically only deal with products that are ‘within reason’, meaning that some items you may find online are not readily available or easily substituted.

Example B – If you’re wanting to import windows from overseas, or ship a solid stone bath from the other side of the country, we may not be able to accommodate items like these. Items of this nature can cause severe delays and cost blowouts due to the ripple effect of freight challenges, delays that are outside our control, finding unique trades for the delicate installation, etc. They may also not meet Australian warranty standards, so there is considerable risk.

Let us know upfront if you have any specific inclusion items in mind and we can give you an idea of what is realistically achievable.

Build time varies depending on many factors. Some clients need more time in the initial decision stages to select their preferred 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 Consultant is the best person to chat with if you have any questions about your specific project build time.

While we can’t guarantee an exact timeframe, a typical** schedule for a standard new home on a flat block may look like this: 

• First up we typically have 4-6 weeks to consult with you back and forth to give you a quote and plan you’re happy with
• Then we need roughly 3-4 weeks to do the required work to create your Fixed Price Contract
• After that there can be a few weeks as we wait for the land release and trade availability
• Once we do the siteworks and services on your block, we’re off and racing – it’s then roughly 20 weeks from your slab being poured to us handing you the keys. 

So in total, a typical** build can be 9-12 months from the moment we meet you to the time you step in your new home. In some cases things like bad weather, or trade and supplier delays can cause your build to drag out, but we do our best to work around these issues if they arise.

*Indicative timeframe only, not guaranteed, and subject to change with or without conditions. 

**Example based on a ~200m2 home built on a flat, low reactive soil block, built during fair weather conditions.

Our wet season is a factor, yes, particularly for the early stages of a build like site works and the slab, where heavy rain can hold things up. Being in a subtropical climate, the warmer months can be particularly wet, but we plan for it rather than being caught out by it. We aim to sequence weather-sensitive work during dry weeks and keep you informed if conditions cause a delay. Obviously it’s out of our control (if we could make it sunny and dry for your build, you can bet we would!) so the key for us is giving you honest communication when it happens.

So much of the cost is in the block itself, not just the home. 

Two identical home designs can price very differently once you account for soil classification, slope, or overlays, as well as access for trades and services. A flat, stable, well-serviced block in an estate is a very different starting point to a sloping acreage block in a bushfire area. This is why we test the site before pricing, so your quote reflects your block rather than misleading you with assumptions.

No, we back ourselves purely on delivering the highest quality homes at a fixed price that is great value. We don’t discount our homes with the kinds of giveaways other builders use which can often be misleading and hide costs elsewhere. 

Our ideal client is someone who simply wants peace of mind knowing that their home will be built to the level of quality that they’ve paid for. Someone who wants a builder that takes care of their investment, not simply sells them on a gimmick and then delivers a home over budget, over schedule, or with defects. 

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, 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.

No. For renos and extensions on an existing structure, no we’re not the right builder for this. 

No we don’t built tiny homes, however, there is a growing trend of property owners choosing to add custom, detached granny flats or 2nd dwellings to their properties – these we can build above a certain size.

In most cases, no. Architectural homes are not what we typically build, however, if it’s a relatively standard footprint with architectural features, then we may be able to. Speak to our team if you’re unsure.

Not currently, but we can provide you with photos and testimonials of our clients homes.

Yes, our office on Sugar Rd, Maroochydore has an open Design Studio floor where you can touch and see our inclusions items and discuss colours, materials and features with our team.

You bet! 

We’re licensed by Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Our licence number is QBCC 15436347.

Not only is our builder licensed, but we guarantee all tradespeople and suppliers involved are fully licensed and insured, as we are committed to ensuring approved materials and workmanship.

Yep, we work with hand picked local trades that we enjoy working with, and it makes a big difference. Our mutual goals help with scheduling and quality, because we work with them regularly and they understand the local needs and Australian standards. This ensures your build is delivered to a quality that everyone involved is proud of.

We have a 13 week maintenance period after handover, and a 12 month structural guarantee mandated by QBCC.

These are two different things and it is easy to get them confused. 

A Building Approval, or BA, is the structural and safety side. It confirms your home meets the National Construction Code and Australian Standards, and nearly every new home needs one. 

A Development Approval, or DA, is the planning side. It looks at how your home sits on the land in relation to zoning, setbacks, site cover and any overlays. You only need a DA when your plans step outside the council planning scheme’s standard rules, for example a boundary setback relaxation or an overlay that needs closer assessment.

Many straightforward homes on a standard block need only a BA. Once your block or design triggers planning considerations, a DA becomes part of the process as well. As part of our early site assessment, we tell you which pathway your block falls into before you are committed to anything, so there are no surprises later.

A private building certifier issues your building approval, not the council directly, and the certifier must hold a current QBCC licence. Council still keeps a record of the approval and can be involved as a referral authority where an overlay or planning trigger applies to your block. We coordinate the certifier and the lodgement for you as part of our process, so you are not left chasing paperwork.

The Priority Residential Assessment is a streamlined process Sunshine Coast Council offers for low-risk, code-assessable residential applications, including single new dwelling houses. Where your block and design qualify, it can shorten the assessment compared with a standard development application. Not every block is eligible, as it depends on meeting the council’s guidelines with no overlay complications. We check whether your build fits this pathway during the planning stage and use it where it is available to you.

It depends highly on your block and whether a development application is needed. A straightforward home on a compliant block that needs only a building approval can move quite quickly, often within a couple of weeks of a complete lodgement. A build that triggers a development application takes longer, as the council assessment adds time on top, and blocks with overlays or information requests add more again.

Treat any timeframe as a guide only and not a guarantee, as every block, design and council queue is different. The best way we address this is through clear communication, keeping you in the loop at all times so you’re not left wondering when things change.

The council has been updating its planning scheme, which sets the rules for zoning, overlays and what can be built where across the region. Changes like this can affect setbacks, site cover, overlay mapping and the assessment pathway your block falls under. Because these rules can shift, we always check your block against the current scheme at the time of your build rather than relying on older assumptions. If you have questions about a specific block, we can look into exactly how the current rules apply to it.

The building side is consistent across Queensland, as every new home must meet the National Construction Code and needs a building approval from a licensed certifier. But the local Councils are different, with different priorities and rules. Sunshine Coast and Gympie Regional each have their own scheme, overlays and charges. We build right across this territory so we work with whichever council applies to your block and tailor the process accordingly.

We use an online tool called Canibuild – which we can do with you in person – that lets us check your block against council mapping quickly, including overlays, setbacks and easements. It means we can see early whether your site is affected by overlays, and factor that into the design and pricing from the start rather than discovering it late. It is one of the first things we look at when you bring us a block.

We also use Development i, a specific tool for the Sunshine Coast Council to check local lots and conditions.

Yes. Bushfire Attack Level, or BAL, assessment applies to blocks in a bushfire hazard overlay, which covers much of the hinterland and acreage areas around the region. An accredited consultant assesses your site against the surrounding vegetation, slope and modelled bushfire risk, and assigns a BAL rating. That rating drives your construction requirements. A lower rating might mean modest changes, while a higher rating can call for non-combustible materials, steel or ember screens, specific window and door specifications, and a managed defendable space around the home.

In practical terms, a higher BAL rating adds cost, because the materials and construction methods are more demanding. We factor your BAL requirements into the design and the quote so the figure you see reflects your actual block. Any cost we mention before your site assessment is an example only, as your rating and site conditions determine the real number.

Most likely yes. Homes close to the coast live in a tougher environment, mostly because of salt in the air and a lot of sand in the soil. Within roughly 100 metres of breaking surf, the National Construction Code calls for enhanced durability, which means corrosion-resistant materials and fixings, suitable coatings and careful detailing on things like fasteners, fittings and external fixtures. Coastal blocks also tend to carry higher wind loads, which feeds into the structural design.

This is exactly the kind of local detail that matters. Mark and the team build for these conditions as a matter of course, choosing materials and finishes that stand up to the coastal setting so your home ages well and needs less maintenance over time.

If your block is on the Coastal Protection overlay, there may be additional requirements with how high your floor level is, and access to the home.

Soil varies a lot across this region, from sandier coastal profiles to reactive clays in parts of the hinterland and low-lying areas. A soil test classifies your block under the Australian Standard, ranging from stable through to highly reactive. The more reactive the soil, the more the ground moves with moisture, and the more engineering your slab and footings need to stay sound. That can mean a more substantial slab design, which adds cost.
This is one of the reasons we complete site tests, including soil classification, before we set your tender price. It means your foundation is designed for your actual block, and your price reflects real ground conditions rather than a guess. We would rather invest in knowing than leave you exposed to a surprise later.
Ask our team for our guide on soil reactivity types for further information.

Talk to us first. While only you know best which block is right for your desired location and community, there may be details about the soil, setbacks and overlays that you’re not aware of.

A block that looks like good value may have hidden costs or limitations. On the other hand, a block that looks tricky can be great with the right design. Understanding the specific conditions of the land can greatly influence the design of your future home, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.

Speaking with us early means we can look at a block with you before you commit, and help you weigh it up. But if you have already bought land, we work to create the best outcome with what you have.

Yes. Narrow and small lots are common in the newer estates, and they can make excellent homes with the right design. The trade-off is that space is at a premium, so the layout has to work harder to deliver light, storage and indoor to outdoor flow. Design guidelines in the estate can also shape what is possible. Our modified design approach suits these blocks well, because we tailor a proven design to get the most out of the space rather than forcing a plan that does not fit.

Most new estates have design guidelines, called covenants, that set standards for things like facade style, materials, roof form, fencing and landscaping. They exist to keep the streetscape consistent and protect everyone’s investment. In practice they can influence your facade choice and some material selections, and they usually add an approval step, as your plans go to the developer for sign-off alongside the council process. We are familiar with how these guidelines work and our Habitat home range is designed to accommodate them.

The first step is a conversation and a look at your block. We assess everything that affects your available floorplan options and your budget such as slope and soil type, as well as any overlays such as bushfire or flood. From there we can talk through design options that suit your needs. Because we complete proper site tests before setting a tender price, you get a home designed for your actual block and a price that reflects real conditions, not a guess.

Yes, acreage is one of the things we love building. Larger blocks give you room for a more spread-out design and a real sense of space, which suits downsizers and families looking for a lifestyle change. The difference is in what a rural block needs to function. Where there is no town sewer, you need an on-site treatment system. You may need rainwater tanks or a longer service run, a proper driveway, and a power connection to the home. Many hinterland blocks also sit in a bushfire overlay, which shapes materials and design. We assess all of this early so everything is considered from the start.

Yes, secondary dwellings are increasingly popular, whether for family, guests or rental income. Councils set rules for secondary dwellings, including limits on floor area and requirements for parking and access, and these vary depending on your council and block. Rather than quote a figure that may not apply to you, we check the current rules for your specific block and design a secondary dwelling that fits within them. It is a good example of where local knowledge saves time and avoids a design that will not get approved.

Orientation is one of the simplest ways to make a home more comfortable and cheaper to run in our climate. On the Sunshine Coast, that usually means positioning living areas and key windows to capture northern light and the prevailing breezes, while managing the harsher western sun with shading, eaves and considered window placement. Good orientation keeps your home naturally cooler in summer and lighter through winter. We look at how your block sits, where the sun tracks and where the breezes come from, and place your home to make the most of them.

We firstly have to carry out an energy assessment as part of your contract, this gives us an idea of what specifications you home needs.

New homes in Queensland typically must meet a 7-Star energy rating under the National Construction Code. In practice, it means your home is assessed for how well it holds a comfortable temperature, taking into account things like orientation, glazing, insulation, shading and building materials. The result is a home that stays comfortable with less reliance on heating and cooling, and less cost to run. We design to meet the rating as a standard part of the process, and we see it as a floor to build above rather than a box to tick.

Alongside the energy rating, the National Construction Code includes Livable Housing requirements aimed at making homes easier to live in over a lifetime. In practice this can mean a step-free entry, wider doorways and hallways, a ground-level toilet that is easy to access, and bathroom walls prepared so grab rails can be added later if they are ever needed. These are sensible, subtle inclusions that make a home work for people of all ages and stages, and they rarely compromise the look or feel of the design. We incorporate them into your floor plan as part of meeting the current standard.

Anywhere on the Sunshine Coast is a great place to live, but each pocket has its distinct lifestyle, community and appeal. Coastal suburbs such as Mooloolaba, Coolum, Maroochydore and Noosa are great if you want the option to walk to the beach from your door. Hinterland locations like Glass House Mountains, Maleny, Mapleton and Dulong have stunning countryside scenery and cozy communities, some with views all the way to the coast. And in between these is a corridor of great residential suburbs, perfectly balancing family functionality with the relaxed coastal lifestyle such as Landsborough and Palmview, through to Nambour, Yandina and Eumundi. Lastly further north you’ll find Cooroy, Cooran and Gympie which are all more traditional country suburbs with lots of space, but still close to the highway for easy trips to the beaches.

Yes! We not only allow but encourage you to visit your site during construction. Let us know when you would like to visit, so one of our team can meet you on site for safety reasons.

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 – called Practical Completion – where any last questions can be addressed. Once the final payment is cleared, we book a day with you to hand over the keys, allowing you to move into your new home and start enjoying your new lifestyle. We take you through any warranties on products and walk you through the home, and finally give you a little handover gift to say thank you and congratulations. We’re as excited as you are to get to this point! 

Yes. We work with interstate buyers regularly, and we can run the design and contract process remotely through calls, video and shared documents. We will walk you through designs, selections and paperwork online, and keep you across the build with regular updates and photos so you feel connected even from a distance. Plenty of people build here from Sydney, Melbourne or elsewhere before they make the move, and we make that as straightforward as we can.

If you are considering a block from interstate, we can assess it against overlays, soil, slope and site costs, and give you an honest picture of what it means to build there. We can talk you through the suburb, the lifestyle and how a home would suit the site, drawing on our understanding of the region. The aim is that you can make a confident decision without needing to be standing on the block yourself, though you are always welcome to visit.