Once you’ve decided to build a new home, it is helpful to understand the stages and how long a new home build takes on average. Below we walk you through each of the seven main stages and what to expect when building your new home.
Stage One: Site Preparation
Before you start building, you will need to complete a site survey and soil test for your block of land. These services can either be included in your building contract or organised by your architect. The feature survey is a scale drawing of your home site showing the fall of the land, service connection points, easements, and any pre-existing features – this will ensure that the house plan you have chosen will suit the block of land. Soil testing determines the ‘reactivity’ of your soil and what type of foundation is required.
We will then begin site preparation which means preparing your land based on your new home requirements, e.g. cutting down the grass and weeds, putting up temporary fencing, etc. Then it all begins, and your land will be excavated in preparation for the concrete slab to be poured. We will notify you that your new home build has commenced at the start of this stage.
Stage Two: Base
The groundwork for power and plumbing is done at this stage. The foundation for the concrete slab is excavated and heavy-grade steel mesh is laid before the slab (concrete base) is poured. The slab will then need time to cure for at least seven days (ideally 28 if you have time and pending weather conditions). The first and second mandatory building inspections will be required during this stage.
Stage Three: Frame
Wooden or steel wall frames and trusses are installed at this stage, and the house starts taking shape. This stage typically takes four weeks, depending on weather and other conditions.
Stage Four: Lockup
“Lock-up” means the house now has windows, cladding, and a roof and is only accessible through an external door.
During this stage Fascia, guttering and the roof covering are done, followed by brickwork and external cladding. While these final stages occur, plumbers and electricians will ‘rough in’ necessary piping, cabling and fittings. This means bringing in the various lines (plumbing pipes, ducting, electrical conduit) from the street to the house without making the final connections. This stage typically takes around four to six weeks.
Stage Five: Fixing
Finally, we see plaster going up on the ceiling and walls, cabinetry is installed, and baths, showers, basins etc., are fitted. This is also when the skirting board and architraves are installed, as well as the final tiling of walls and floors and kitchen splashbacks. This stage usually takes four to six weeks.
Stage Six: Completion
This is the last phase of readying the home for you to move into. Finally, we come to the finishing touches, which include paint, fencing, landscaping, irrigation, flooring, glass, fly screens, letterbox etc. Once all of this is completed, all waste is removed off-site, and a thorough clean of the house is completed prior to the final inspection before handover. This last stage can take as little as six weeks and as long as eight weeks, if not more; this depends on if anything is required to be rectified before the handover. Once this is all done, your builder will arrange for you to be walked through your new home and confirm a handover date with you. This is a crucial time to bring up any issues with your builder before settlement so that they can be rectified.
Stage Seven: Settlement
The day you’ve been waiting for is finally here! Take the time to discuss how long any maintenance period is so you can ensure you bring up any defects as soon as you can (usually in the first six months). Final contracts are now signed, and the keys are handed over for you to move into your brand-new home!
Please contact us if you have any questions or want a walk-through of our process and timings.
More information on why you should choose a quality custom builder such as Conrads can be found here – and here.
