Below is a Step by Step Guide of what happens when you build with The House Company.
1. Selecting your property:
Will the property you are about to purchase suit your wishes and desires?
We suggest you discuss this with one of our Home Consultants. It will cost you nothing and in the past has saved our clients thousands of dollars.
The cheapest sites will often have other issues you may not have picked up on. A title search can be done and town-planning requirements checked at this stage for any restrictions not obvious on-site.
2. Choosing a design:
We have developed a series of standard plans for you to peruse. Feel free to alter and modify the plan you would like us to build. Alternatively you may have your own plan. Our designers are only too happy to work with you.
Most clients prefer to have their home personalised by engaging our Home Consultant in collaboration with one of our designers & custom design their new home.
We suggest you have an initial meeting with one of our Home Consultants. This meeting is obligation free and will last approximately one (1) hour. Their individual experience in the industry spans some 25 years and during this time, have designed or been involved in the design of many homes.
3. Concept design:
After your meeting with our consultant, ideas of your wants & desires for your home will have been established. With all this information a concept drawing & estimate can be commissioned. This process requires an initial deposit to be paid. This will provide you with a conceptual floor plan, elevations and full specification of products to be used in your home. The services of an engineer or land surveyor may be required at this point, this may be for geotechnical/structural engineering & site survey for contours & services. The cost and implications will be discussed with you at this time.
4. Presentation of concept:
Within approx 10 days of receiving all information required, we will present your new set of plans based off your previous meetings with one of our consultants. The concept will be based on the budget you set with our consultant and will have been ‘double checked’ by our Estimators. Any changes can be discussed and drawing modified accordingly.
A PIM (Project information Memorandum) can now be applied for, to ensure there are no future or hidden restrictions on your site the council may already have information about.
5. Decision to proceed:
Once you have settled on a floor plan & specifications we will have one of our designers commence full working drawings of your new home, and a second deposit will be required. This investment includes drawings sufficient for building consent & a fixed price quotation for the construction of your home.
At this time you will also meet with our Kitchen Consultant and if required our Colour Consultant.
6. Presentation of Working Drawings:
It is at this point that all the fine-tuning is completed, your consultant will go through the plans & specifications with you.
The fittings & fixtures are discussed & finalised. You may have viewed products, whilst the working drawings were completed all these can be discussed & added to the specifications.
7. Quotation:
Once all the above information is compiled into a set of specifications, these along with the working drawings will be given to one of our Estimators.
The Estimator will then distribute the plans to all sub-contractors & suppliers for quotations. These will be compiled by him & a fixed price quotation completed. Your quotation along with a copy of a standard Master Build Contract & Guarantee is then presented to you.
8. Complete paperwork:
You can now approve the quotation & working drawings. The completed contract documents include a fixed price quotation letter, Independent Home Builders Contract, working drawings, kitchen plans, electrical plan, colour schedule, Independent Home Builders Guarantee & product specifications. Once this document is signed and you have paid your deposit, we are ready for application for building consent with the council.
9. Commence construction:
Your plans have now been released from council and include all the necessary permits and certificates for the Construction Manager to schedule your job and commence construction.
Power and other essentials are connected at this point.
10. During construction:
The Construction Supervisor will guide you through the construction process to completion. The Construction Supervisor can be contacted by mobile ensuring a smooth and worry free time. Meetings can be held onsite at various times during construction.
11. Handover day:
On the receipt of the Code Compliance Certificate from the council, your Home Consultant and Construction Manager will walk you through your new home to inspect and double check all work is completed to your absolute satisfaction. Keys and any monies owed are now exchanged and you’re ready to move in and enjoy your new home! Don't forget to organise your insurance too!
12. Defect liability:
Your hand over kit will not only include warranties and certificates, it will also include a form in which any defects that should arise over the next one hundred & eighty (180) days can be documented. You can forward this to The House Company for immediate attention. The Independent Home Builders Guarantee term also applies.
The final paperwork is from our Support Office, who will send out a client survey for you to fill out and return in exchange for a $100 gift voucher.
Contact us today to have us build your dream home!
