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 $700,000 – $850,000*, 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 Preliminary Design Fee to complete site tests, draw concept 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 tests and received professional reports and 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 fees 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.

We charge two fees during the pre-construction stage, and both are deducted from your contract price, so if you build with us they are not an additional expense.

Preliminary Design Fee. This covers a comprehensive assessment of your block, a soil test, and a contour survey where one is required. With those results in hand we draft your concept drawings and prepare a quotation that suits your budget, your lifestyle and your land. The fee also covers one redraft of your concept plans.

Contract Signing and Council Lodgement Fee. This covers your full set of construction plans, structural engineering and footing design, wind classification, your BASIX report, a NatHERS report and a bushfire report where required, your building specification, contract signing, and lodgement of your application.

The good news is that both amounts come off your total contract, so you are paying for work that has to happen regardless, just earlier and more thoroughly than most.

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. 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, Cosentino for benches, 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.

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.

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.

It is also worth knowing that pre-construction takes longer in New South Wales than a lot of people expect. Before we can start, we coordinate surveyors, stormwater engineers, bushfire consultants, energy assessors, certifiers and sometimes town planners, and then wait on an assessment. That work is what gives you a properly resolved, compliant home and a price you can rely on, but it does mean the front end of a build is not quick.

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 straightforward 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 2-4 weeks to prepare your construction documentation and lodge your application
• After that there is the assessment period, which varies depending on whether your home goes through as a Complying Development Certificate or a Development Application
• Once we do the siteworks and services on your block, we’re off and racing – it’s then roughly 32-36 weeks from your slab being poured to us handing you the keys.

So in total, a typical** build can be 11-12 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. The Mid-Coast gets its heaviest falls through the warmer months, and east coast lows can arrive at any time of year, so 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 coastal block, a rural block on a bushfire rating, or land on the river flats with a flood planning level to meet. This is why we test the site before pricing, so your quote reflects your block rather than misleading you with assumptions.

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.

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 to new home builders in New South Wales that can help make the process of building a home more affordable. These programs change from time to time, so it’s important to check the current details and eligibility criteria before you rely on them. Here are the key ones to look into:

First Home Owner Grant (New Homes). A one-off grant from Revenue NSW for eligible first home buyers building or buying a brand new home, subject to a value cap on the total of your land and build.

First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme. Eligible first home buyers can receive a full exemption or a partial concession on transfer duty, which for a new build applies to the land purchase. This is often the larger saving of the two.

Home Guarantee Scheme. A federal scheme that allows eligible buyers to purchase or build with a smaller deposit and without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

Energy efficiency rebates. Both state and federal programs periodically offer rebates or incentives for solar, batteries and efficient appliances.

To find out what you specifically qualify for, visit the Revenue NSW website or speak with your broker or financial advisor. Our Consultants can also point you in the right direction based on what we see clients using.

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

No we don’t build 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.

It depends on the scope. Highly bespoke 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.

Yes. Our display home at 107 King Valley Drive, Taree is open for inspection by appointment, and it’s the best way to see the standard of our work in person. We can also provide you with photos and testimonials of our clients homes.

Yes, our office on Grey Gum Road, Taree has a Design Studio where you can touch and see our inclusions items and discuss colours, materials and features with our team.

You bet!

Wattle Court Mid-Coast operates as Caldon Homes Pty Ltd, and holds NSW builders licence number 377088C, issued by NSW Fair Trading.

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. Most of them have been with Brad since the beginning, and some worked alongside his father before that. 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 6 year structural warranty.

Your build is also covered by Home Building Compensation insurance, which we take out on your behalf before your deposit is invoiced.

These are the two planning pathways in New South Wales, and which one applies to you makes a real difference to your timeframe.

A Complying Development Certificate, or CDC, is the fast-track pathway. If your home meets every one of the pre-set standards in the state planning codes, a council or a registered private certifier can approve it without a full council assessment. It is quicker and more predictable, and it rolls the planning and construction approval into one.

A Development Application, or DA, is the council assessment pathway. It looks at how your home sits on the land in relation to zoning, setbacks, site cover, height and any hazards affecting the block. You need a DA whenever your block or your design steps outside what the codes allow. Once a DA is approved, you also need a Construction Certificate before any work starts, which confirms the detailed plans meet the National Construction Code and the conditions of your approval.

Plenty of straightforward homes on standard estate blocks can go through as a CDC. But land that is flood affected, high on the bushfire scale, heritage listed, in an environmentally sensitive zone or subject to certain overlays is usually excluded, and a DA becomes the path. Given how much of this region carries one of those, the DA pathway is common here.

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.

It depends on the pathway. A Complying Development Certificate can be issued by either the council or a registered private certifier. A Development Application is assessed by the council, and then your Construction Certificate can be issued by the council or a private certifier. Whichever way it goes, a certifier is appointed as your Principal Certifier and carries out the mandatory inspections through the build. We coordinate all of that for you as part of our process, so you are not left chasing paperwork.

Yes, and it is mostly about doing the groundwork properly at the front end. Where your block and design qualify for Complying Development, that is by far the fastest route, and we will always check for it first. Where a DA is required, the best thing we can do is lodge a complete, well-resolved application with all the supporting reports attached, because incomplete applications are the single biggest cause of delay. That means having your survey, engineering, BASIX, stormwater and bushfire documentation sorted before lodgement, not after a request for information.

It depends highly on your block and which pathway applies. A home that qualifies for a Complying Development Certificate can move quite quickly once the documentation is complete. A build that requires a Development Application takes longer, as the council assessment adds time on top, and blocks with flood, bushfire or environmental considerations, or applications that attract a request for information, 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.

Every block in New South Wales sits under a Local Environmental Plan and a Development Control Plan, which together set the rules for zoning, height, setbacks, site cover and hazard controls. MidCoast Council adopted a new, harmonised Local Environmental Plan in February 2025 that replaced the three legacy plans inherited from the former Gloucester, Great Lakes and Greater Taree councils, so some of what applied to a block a few years ago no longer does.

Because these rules change, we always check your block against the current controls 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 New South Wales, as every new home must meet the National Construction Code and the state planning legislation. But the councils are different, with their own local plans, controls, hazard mapping and charges. MidCoast Council and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council each run their own scheme. We build right across both, 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 setbacks, easements and hazard layers. It means we can see early whether your site is affected, 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 the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer, which is the official source for zoning, flood mapping, bushfire prone land and heritage listings on any lot in the state.

Flooding is one of the biggest development constraints across our region, and it is something we work with regularly, looking for ways to ensure our clients homes are never affected.

If your land is known to be flood prone, the council sets a Flood Planning Level for your block, which is the height your floors need to be, which shapes a lot of your decisions. It can mean a raised slab or  suspended floor, possibly imported fill and retaining, and many other factors.

None of that makes a block unbuildable – it’s simply extra considerations we need to factor in. And while this can affect your price, we figure this out with you before we design anything, and give you a straight answer about what will work.

If your land is mapped as bushfire prone, then yes. An accredited consultant assesses your site against the surrounding vegetation, the slope beneath it and the modelled fire behaviour, and assigns a Bushfire Attack Level, or BAL, under the Australian Standard and Planning for Bush Fire Protection.

That rating drives your construction requirements. A lower rating might mean modest changes, while a higher rating can call for non-combustible materials, ember screens, specific window and door specifications, upgraded decking and a managed Asset Protection Zone around the home. Bushfire prone land also brings requirements around water supply for firefighting and vehicle access, which matters on rural blocks.

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 carry higher wind loads, and we build to a minimum wind classification of N3 as standard across the region.

This is exactly the kind of local detail that matters. Brad 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 sits within a coastal hazard area, there may be additional requirements around floor levels, setbacks from the escarpment or dune, and how the home is designed to sit on the land.

Soil varies a lot across this region, from sandier coastal profiles to reactive clays through the hinterland and the river valleys. 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.

Low-lying land near the river and estuary systems can also carry acid sulfate soils, which affects how the site is excavated and managed, and occasionally what the footing design has to allow for.

This is one of the reasons we complete site tests, including soil classification, before we set your fixed 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, flood levels or bushfire rating 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, and this is genuinely where we do our best work. 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 planning 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, along with flood planning levels, bushfire rating and any environmental controls. From there we can talk through design options that suit your needs. Because we complete proper site tests before setting a fixed 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 wastewater treatment system approved by council. You may need rainwater tanks or a longer service run, a proper all-weather driveway, and a power connection to the home. Many rural blocks also sit on bushfire prone land, which shapes materials, water supply and access. 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. In New South Wales the planning codes allow a secondary dwelling up to a set floor area on a lot above a minimum size, and where the block and design comply, it can often go through as Complying Development. Councils also apply their own controls around parking, access and private open space. 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 Mid-Coast, that usually means positioning living areas and key windows to capture northern light and the north-easterly sea breeze, while managing the harsher western sun with shading, eaves and considered window placement. Winters here are cooler than people expect, particularly out in the valleys and up on the plateau, so getting winter sun into the living areas matters as much as keeping summer heat out. 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.

Every new home in New South Wales needs a BASIX certificate before it can be approved. BASIX sets targets for thermal comfort, energy use and water use, and it is assessed on your specific home, on your specific block, with your specific orientation, glazing, insulation and shading. Where required we also complete a NatHERS assessment, which gives your home a star rating out of ten.

In practice, it means your home is assessed for how well it holds a comfortable temperature, and 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 standard as a routine part of the process, and we see it as a floor to build above rather than a box to tick. Our clients tell us that consistent thermal comfort through the year, and a home that stays quiet, is one of the things they notice most after moving in.

Alongside BASIX, 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 Mid-Coast is a great place to live, but each pocket has its distinct lifestyle, community and appeal. Coastal towns such as Old Bar, Harrington, Diamond Beach, Forster and Bonny Hills are great if you want the option to walk to the beach from your door. Rural locations like Wingham, Gloucester, Comboyne and out past Wauchope have genuine country scenery and tight-knit communities, with river flats, farmland and the Barrington Tops on the doorstep. In between you’ll find Taree, Cundletown, Krambach and Nabiac, which balance family functionality with easy highway access and a short run to the coast. And to the north, Port Macquarie offers the services of a proper regional city, with the hospital, the airport and a redeveloped town centre, along with growth suburbs like Thrumster and Lake Innes for families wanting a new estate.

The other thing worth saying is that this region still represents genuine value. A block that would be 300 square metres in Sydney or Newcastle is closer to 800 square metres in Taree for similar money, and a home with an unimpeded ocean outlook is achievable here in a way it simply isn’t further south.

Yes! We not only allow but encourage you to visit your site during construction. In fact you are invited to inspect the site with us at each major stage. Let us know when you would like to visit outside of those, 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.

Before handover we arrange a Pre Handover Inspection, where you meet your Construction Supervisor on site to walk through the almost-finished home and flag anything you feel needs attention, so it can be rectified before you get the keys.

Once the finishing touches are complete and 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 buyers relocating from Sydney, Newcastle and further afield 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 before they make the move, and we make that as straightforward as we can.

If you are considering a block from out of the area, we can assess it against flood levels, bushfire mapping, soil, slope and site costs, and give you an honest picture of what it means to build there. We can talk you through the town, 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.