FAQ

Our custom homes typically start from $550k for single-storey designs and $650k for double-storey designs.
Your final investment depends on:

• Block conditions (slope, soil, and services)

• Council requirements

• Your chosen finishes and inclusions

We’ll guide you early in the process, so you understand the likely range before moving forward.

Often, yes. Renovations come with hidden costs, structural surprises, and compromises that add up quickly. A knockdown and rebuild lets you start fresh with a brand-new, efficient home that avoids patchwork fixes and gives you exactly what you want.

Large discounts are usually marketing tactics, not genuine savings. They’re often offset by:

• Inflated prices in other parts of the contract

• Hidden upgrades and exclusions that reappear later as extras

• Cheaper materials or trades to cut costs

• Pressure-selling tactics designed to make you sign quickly

At Stannard Family Homes, we don’t play the discount game. We provide transparent, detailed quotes that reflect the true cost of your build from the start — no gimmicks, no surprises.

Low quotes often exclude essentials like siteworks, retaining walls, or electricals. Those costs don’t disappear — they resurface later as:

• Variation fees once construction begins

• Forced “upgrades” to meet your expectations

• Budget blowouts that make the “cheap” quote more expensive in the end

At Stannard Family Homes, we provide detailed, transparent quotes upfront, so you know exactly what you’re committing to.

No — because every home we build is completely custom. A flat $/m² rate doesn’t reflect real costs, which depend on:

• Your block’s slope, soil, and site conditions

• The complexity of your design and floor plan

• Your chosen level of inclusions and finishes

• Materials, energy goals, and unique features

We provide detailed, itemised quotes tailored to your home — so you know exactly what your investment covers.

Red flags to watch for:

• Unrealistic allowances (low Prime Costs or Provisional Sums)

• Missing essentials like siteworks, stormwater, or driveways

• Escalation clauses that let prices rise mid-build

• Vague inclusions lists with no brands, models, or specs

At Stannard Family Homes, we provide:
- Fully itemised, fixed-price quotes
- Clear documentation of all products and inclusions
- Upfront inclusion of site and compliance costs

“Free” promotions are rarely free — the costs are usually covered by:

• Inflated slab or footing prices

• Substituted, lower-quality materials

• Cutbacks on essentials like insulation, waterproofing, or warranty cover

The smartest approach is to look at the total build price and inclusions, not just the shiny extras.

Some builders advertise “premium” finishes but deliver cheaper alternatives in the contract. This bait-and-switch means you’ll be forced to pay for costly upgrades mid-build.

How to protect yourself:
- Ask for brands, models, and materials in writing
- Avoid vague terms like “luxury” or “high-end”
- Compare the contract inclusions to the display home

At Stannard Family Homes, what you see is what you get — all inclusions are clearly documented upfront.

Big discounts can hide risks like:

• Excluding siteworks or premium finishes

• Using cheaper materials or cutting corners

• Applying pressure tactics to sign quickly

• Masking financial issues with short-term cash flow boosts

At Stannard Family Homes, we focus on honest, fixed-price contracts — no gimmicks, just transparency.

Look for these red flags:

1. Itemised quotes — check if brands, site costs, and allowances are realistic.

2. Fine print — watch for escalation clauses or vague exclusions.

3. Inclusions — ensure brands, finishes, and models are clearly listed.

4. Urgency tactics — pressure to “sign now” usually means it’s not a real saving.

At Stannard Family Homes, our pricing is transparent and fixed — so you know exactly where every dollar goes.

Some builders charge excessive fees for even small modifications, like:

• Adding markups on minor changes

• Charging per change instead of per stage

• Using vague wording to keep costs open-ended

At Stannard Family Homes, all variation processes are clearly documented. We keep changes fair and transparent, so you stay in control.

The key is to work with a builder who designs with costs in mind from the start.

At Stannard Family Homes, we:

• Design around your block, budget, and lifestyle

• Provide cost guidance throughout the design phase

• Offer practical alternatives that keep your vision intact

• Provide site-specific, itemised quotes with fixed pricing where possible

This ensures your home is beautiful, functional, and financially realistic.

Not necessarily. Lower rates often increase demand, which drives up:

• Land prices

• Material costs

• Trade availability and labour rates

While your loan repayments may improve, the actual cost of building usually rises in a hotter market. Starting early helps your secure today’s prices before demand pushes them higher.

Delaying rarely saves money — construction costs almost never go down. Waiting often means:

• Higher material and labour prices

• Longer trade wait times

• Missing out on favourable finance conditions

If your finances and block are ready, the best time to start is now — so you can lock in today’s costs and avoid future rises.

“Free quotes” are usually rough estimates based on guesswork, not real site data. They often leave out genuine costs, which later reappear as expensive variations.

A PSA is a small upfront investment that covers:

• Soil testing and engineering reports

• Site-specific design consultation

• Council and compliance checks

• Energy and stormwater assessments

The result?
- A fixed-price quote, not a vague estimate
- Fewer surprises and blowouts
- Faster approvals and smoother construction

At Stannard Family Homes, we believe in getting it right from the start — not cutting corners to win signatures.