6 Steps to Building your Dream Home

In Australia, property can be a highly valuable asset. While many people look at real estate as an

investment, a lucky few get the opportunity to build their dream home.

If you are one of those lucky ones, no doubt you have a vision of how you want your dream home to look.

But sometimes getting to the end result can be a challenge, and often just getting started can be a daunting

prospect.

This article provides an outline of what you can expect during the building process to help alleviate some of

the mystery. It also outlines exactly what is offered by Victorian home builder, Macalister Prestige Homes.

STEP 1 – Planning

First and foremost, you

need to plan out what you

want. This planning stage

is going to help keep you

on target throughout the

whole building process.

Are you looking for

something for a family or

just yourself? Consider

your lifestyle. What do you

do and what do you want?

Do you need a recreation

area? A separate study?

Or a double garage?

STEP 1 – Planning

Get inspiration from existing home designs. Visit open houses, flick through magazines, and take note of what

you like and good ideas. Make a list of things you NEED, WANT and PREFER. This helps rank the relative

importance of features and determines what you “can’t live without” vs the “nice to have” features.

You need to determine a budget, factoring in where you will live when your house is being built. Once you’ve

done this revisit your NEED, WANT and PREFER list to ensure your desires are in line with your budget. You

may wish to do this again after an estimate of your build is provided.

STEP 2 – Getting Started

So you have finalised the plans

and are satisfied with the written

estimate. The next steps are as

follows, which Macalister Prestige

Homes do for you.

• Preliminary drawings of the site,

floor & front elevations

(including 2 revisions if

required).

• Analysis of information from the

local council to determine if

there are any relevant

requirements relating to your

land.

• A soil report, site analysis and

survey completed to determine

if there will be any additional

site costs due to land conditions.

STEP 2 – Getting Started

Once you are happy with the

preliminary drawings and

information provided from council,

soil and site reports, you are ready

to move onto the next stage which

involves:

• Full Working Drawings of your

new home.

• Engineer designed footing

system (Foundation Design).

• 5 Star Energy Rating

Assessment.

• Specifications & Contracts.

• Warranty Insurance & Building

Permits.

STEP 3 – Selections

Now the fun part! Other than moving into your new home the

selection process tends to be the most exciting. This truly is the

stage of choices, YOUR Choices! Make your choices carefully,

take your time and call on friends & family for input if you wish.

You’ll need to select everything from bricks to paint colour, tiles

to carpets and fittings to fixtures.

For professional advice, you can commission an interior designer

at this stage. Macalister Prestige Homes offer a specialist interior

designer at no cost. Something you should definitely consider, as

the number of choices you need to make are many more than

you original think!

STEP 4 – Contract

With the first three stages finalised, a building

contract is now completed.

Once the building contract is signed, a five

percent deposit is payable. Fees paid in step

two will be deducted from this invoice. There

are generally seven stages of construction

whereby invoices will be issued and paid.

These invoices are for:

Deposit - 5%

Base – 10%

Frame - 15%

Lock up - 33%

Plaster - 15%

Fix out - 10%

Joinery - 7%

Final - 5%

STEP 5 – Construction

A building supervisor will be assigned to you

providing you with a direct contact point and

adviser throughout the construction

stages. Alterations to selections can be

discussed with the building supervisor to

determine availability and variation in cost.

STEP 6 – Moving in adjustments

You’re not quite done yet! After you’ve moved into your new home it’s

quite normal for small items to require attention or adjustment as the

home settles. A good home builder, like Macalister Prestige Homes, will

attend to any items within the first three months. In addition, you will

feel assured with a structure guarantee supported by Home Warranty

Insurance for a period of six years.

At Macalister Prestige Homes we pride ourselves on quality workmanship, attention to detail and personalised

service. We are a family owned and operated business, and are proud of the fact that we don’t just build in

communities. We work and live in those communities.

We understand that some people are seeking to build a totally unique home. This is why we are happy to offer

our clients the ability to build custom homes and custom projects, and our friendly sales representatives are

happy to run through this process with you.

To discuss your requirements for a custom home in your area, please call 1800 443 116. Our staff will

undertake an initial consultation to discuss your individual needs and your budget.

www.macalisterprestigehomes.com.au