New Home Building Advice
Building a new home is a complex business, first you need to locate the area you want to build in, purchase the land, and then you have to start building. It requires planning, preparation, organisation, management and know how.

But don't be discouraged - millions of people have done it before you. To help ensure that you succeed, here are a few tips and guidelines.

• Visit home display centres and collect house plans to research the type of home you would like to build.
• If you like certain parts of different types of plans consider hiring an architect to design your dream home.
• If you decide to use an architect it is advisable to check out some of their previous work. Do some research; find out if their previous clients have been satisfied with the work they have done. Some architects will provide you with the name and address of some of their clients for testimonials.Here is are some places to start
  • Housing Industry Association
  • Building Designers Association of Australia
• Finding the right builder is very important. Here is a helpful site to locate reputable builders
  • Queensland Masterbuilders
• Refer to the Getting the right tradesperson page for some helpful tips before speaking to any builders.
• During construction it is advised to make regular visits to the site. Any lender will require that you sign off at each stage of construction. This is giving your seal of approval that the work has been done to your satisfaction. Most lenders will have a valuer come out also to ensure that the builder is up to the stage that he says he is. And you want to make sure that the construction matches your house plans/designs.
  • If you are unsure about how the construction is progressing speak to your architect or building services organisation or even your solicitor or conveyancer. Don't wait until the construction is complete speak up as soon as an issue arises.
• If you require your builder to make changes that are different from your original plans, make sure you put any changes/inclusions in writing. This will protect you against any discrepancies that may occur.
• When building a home you will be required to make progress payments to your builder/architect, so it is important to select a loan that is suitable for construction payments.
• Insure your home. It is important to take out insurance for your home and its contents, but also important to insure your home as it is being built. For a quote on insurance go to www.iagbgc.com.

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