It’s a good idea to do some research before you decide. You may find that your original plans change as you discover some alternatives.
For example, if you want to build a house but there are budget constraints, is renovating your existing house an option? Or maybe building a ready-made project home is the answer if you’re time-poor.
The section below may provide some guidance and help you decide.
Individually designed homes
This is where the plans are drawn for you by a building designer, architect or engineer.
Pros- Can make best use of aspect and shape of your land
- Greater choice of fittings and inclusions
- Greater satisfaction with individual design
- May result in a more functional home
| Cons- Can be expensive
- More ‘hands on’ involvement and time required
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Project or display homes
You choose a project home from a selection of standard plans, usually covering a wide range of prices, styles, sizes, specifications and standards of fittings and inclusions. You can build on an existing block of land, or buy a house and land package from a developer.
Pros- Plans are tried and proven
- Possible cost savings
- Display homes show quality and inclusions
- You have a fair idea of what your home will look like when it is complete
| Cons- May not match your needs or preferences
- May not make the best use of aspect and shape of your land
- Some fittings, inclusions and design features on display homes can cost more
- House and land packages may only be available in new estates in outer suburbs
|
Renovations or additions
This may involve extending or restructuring your existing home.
Pros- A good option if you like your current location
- Usually cheaper than buying or building a new home
- You may not need to relocate while building
- A well-planned renovation can match all requirements of a new house
| Cons- May not match your exact requirements
- You must work within constraints of existing building and land
- Can be difficult to estimate costs
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Kit/pre-fabricated homes
You can find information on kit homes at the Office of Fair Trading.
Buying land
Once your budget is set, you can move on to finding land if you’re building a house. The type of land you choose will have a direct effect on the type of construction.
The factors that will have the most impact include the size and slope of the block, and the soil type. You may find that the cost of the build will increase if your home requires stronger foundations, or needs a more complex design because the land has unique features.
Other things to consider include future local development and the current facilities. Does the area have a hospital, schools, access to transport and shopping?
What you can build will be affected by any covenants associated with the land, which may reduce your options in terms of size and design. You may also be limited by tree and animal habitat preservation rules or other environmental factors.
Remember to read your contract and talk to a solicitor before signing the contract with your builder or designer.
DIY – Owner builder
If you’re thinking of taking on a building project, you should consider a few things before you start. Although doing the job yourself can potentially save you money, do you have the skills and experience to do the work?
If not, you may need to consult or work with a builder to ensure that the work meets the current building standard, and any products are installed correctly. It’s also important to consider the costs in repairing the work if you make any mistakes.
You should also be aware of the types of building work you can’t do:
- plumbing and drainage (excluding some unregulated plumbing work)
- gasfitting
- termite management – chemical
- electrical work (contact the Electrical Safety Office for more information).
Additionally, if the market value of your project is over $11,000 (i.e. the reasonable cost of a licensed contractor to do the job), you’ll need an owner builder permit.
Other things to take into account if you choose to owner build include not having access to the Home Warranty insurance scheme.
