FAQs

We specialise in custom home building, so we encourage you to be involved in the design of your new home – it is such a rewarding experience! We are able to work in partnership with you and organise an initial meeting with our designer to establish your new home requirements. Using the information discussed, the designer will commence drawing and provide the concept plan for your new home. Throughout the design process, at Stannard Family Homes we provide support with feedback and suggestions on your plan from a professional and practical builder’s perspective. You will find more details under CUSTOM HOMES and STANDARD DESIGNS.

The family home will generally be the greatest investment you make in your lifetime. Not only is it a big financial commitment, it will also be an emotional commitment. As you plan your new home one of the first decisions you will make is to go with a smaller custom-home builder, or one of the big volume builders.

The main difference between the two is custom-home builders are generally small construction businesses who specialise in unique builds, with each home they build being a little different to the last. A custom-home builder can design and prepare plans based on your specific requirements and site, or build from plans provided by the client. They also have a higher standard of construction principles, giving a premium quality and finish. One of the benefits in choosing this type of builder is the flexibility and choice you have as you work collaboratively with your builder to design and select the fixtures and finishes you want.

Generally, when you work with a custom-home builder you work with the builder directly. He will assist you through all stages of the building project.

Volume builders operate by providing a range of standard designs they have in their library. They are generally not site specific, so don’t allow for layout flexibility. Usually, your choice of fixtures and fittings is limited and service is poor.

You will find more details under CUSTOM HOMES.

A construction site can be a potentially dangerous environment, and our home builders team take health and safety of all visitors to the site very seriously. We are happy to have you visit the construction site of your new home, but do insist that it is with the permission and accompaniment of a Stannard Family Homes representative.

Add at the end add this: View our complete process HERE.

We currently use the Housing Industry Association contracts.

Our homes are all custom builds. A square metre rate does not apply, due to the level of finish and design criteria. Every home is different which means the m2 price is different for each home being built.

All plans are drawn to the Client’s specific needs and desires, as no two people are the same. Each plan is as individual as you. Clients want their home to express who they are, so when they move into their new home, they have achieved an ‘expression of themselves’ and as a result evolved as one. Our designs are created to compliment every aspect of your land. By designing to suit your aspects you achieve excellent energy-saving thermal and acoustic qualities. This is of the utmost priority in today’s society. You will find more details under CUSTOM HOMES.

While it may seem logical to opt for the lowest quote, there are significant risks associated with this approach. The lowest quote doesn't always reflect the true cost of construction, and there are several factors to consider beyond price alone.

Many building companies provide 'free' estimates, not actual quotes. Estimates lack detailed considerations for factors like soil conditions, engineering, or current rates for materials and labor. This lack of detail allows for substitutions of lower-cost items and inadequate allowances, ultimately leading to unrealistic cost projections.

Estimates often exclude critical details and are subject to change. Anything not documented or specified may be substituted for a lower cost item. Inaccurate allowances may be brought into the contract later, leading to misunderstandings and unmet expectations during the construction process.

Builders who know their true break-even point and operational costs are essential for a successful construction project. Ignorance of these numbers can lead to financial mismanagement, desperate attempts for new work, and potential dissatisfaction for consumers as expectations may not be met.

Opting for a Design & Construct service when building a new home allows you to work with a professional building company from the early stages of designing your home. This proactive approach ensures a better understanding of your needs and expectations, leading to a more transparent and successful construction process.

Larger builders can be vulnerable due to committing to numerous fixed-price contracts and facing unexpected increases in material costs, like those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This can lead to significant financial losses, especially given their reliance on volume and thin profit margins. For instance, Porter Davis, one of Australia's largest builders, entered voluntary administration in March 2023, leaving many homes unfinished.

Mid-sized builders often offer a balance between reliability and flexibility. They are large enough to have established management systems but small enough to provide a more personalised approach. This can be particularly advantageous in custom homes, where attention to detail and client-tailored solutions are critical.

Online reviews and testimonials give insights into a builder's project management skills, client communication, and ability to deliver on promises. This real-world evidence can help you gauge whether a builder is reliable and capable of handling a custom home project effectively.

Pay attention to how professionally a builder manages their operations—from the presentation of their employees and the state of their office to the condition of their work sites and vehicles. These factors reflect their stability, operational efficiency, and commitment to quality, all of which are crucial for successful custom homes or knockdown rebuild projects.

Very large builders may face financial risks from fixed-price contracts and narrow profit margins, while very small builders might lack the resources to handle your project efficiently, potentially leading to delays and quality issues. A mid-sized builder often strikes a good balance, offering both reliability and a personalised approach, ideal for custom homes or knockdown rebuild projects.

Builders often use substantial discounts as marketing strategies to attract customers. However, such offers can be misleading and may result in hidden costs elsewhere or compromised quality in essential components of the build. The concept of "Builder Discount Could Cost You More" is based on the risk of encountering hidden expenses or lower-quality construction.

When a builder offers massive discounts, it's crucial to be cautious about the quality of materials and the construction process. Builders might compensate for the discount by cutting corners, which can lead to larger expenses down the line. Hence, the "Builder Discount Could Cost You More" if it sacrifices essential aspects of the build.

To determine if a builder's discount is hiding additional costs, carefully review the fine print and ask for a detailed breakdown of the construction process and costs. Investigate whether high-quality materials and proper site preparation are being maintained. A thorough evaluation can help ensure that the discount is not masking hidden expenses.

Yes, guarantees of unusually quick construction timelines can be a concern. Speedy timelines may mean that crucial steps, such as site preparation and proper curing times, are being rushed or skipped. Reliable builders will offer realistic timelines that include all necessary preparatory work, ensuring no corners are cut and quality is maintained.

A reliable and trustworthy builder will be transparent about costs, the construction process, and timelines. They focus on quality work rather than gimmicky promotions. By working with such a builder, you avoid scenarios where a "Builder Discount Could Cost You More," ensuring that your home is built to last with no hidden costs or shortcuts.

While it might seem logical to assume that lower interest rates would reduce the cost to build a custom home, the reality can be quite different. Reduced interest rates often lead to easier lending conditions, sparking a surge in demand for new homes. This increased demand typically pushes prices up rather than down. Hence, rather than seeing a reduction in costs, you might actually witness an increase due to heightened market activity and the rising costs of materials and labor.

Construction costs have consistently risen over time due to several factors, including inflation, increased demand for tradespeople, and the rising costs of materials. Once construction costs increase, they are unlikely to fall back down. This means the longer you wait to build a custom home, the more expensive it becomes due to these steady cost increases.

Delaying your project in anticipation of lower house prices is likely to backfire. The construction market is currently experiencing high inflation rates of over 7% annually, which affects both materials and labor costs. Therefore, waiting can result in significantly higher costs for building a custom home, as prices are projected to continue rising.

The main factors influencing the cost of building a custom home include the price of materials, labor costs, interest rates, and overall market demand. Currently, increased wages for tradespeople and the rising costs of materials are significant contributors to higher construction expenses. These factors are compounded by inflation, making it essential to act sooner rather than later to avoid higher costs.

If you’re considering building an $800,000 house today, delaying the project by a year could increase your costs by 5 to 10%. This means an additional $40,000 to $80,000 just for hesitating. With the continuous rise in material and labor costs, every week you delay will likely add to your overall expenses, making it more costly to build a custom home the longer you wait.

Trade shortages in the construction industry are primarily caused by two factors. First, a booming housing market has led to increased demand for skilled tradespeople, stretching their availability thin and driving up wages. Second, there has been a decline in the number of apprentices entering the trade, resulting in an aging workforce and fewer hands available for work. These factors contribute to why trade shortages could delay your building project.

Trade shortages can significantly impact construction timelines and costs by causing project delays and adding unexpected expenses. When skilled tradespeople are in high demand, it becomes challenging to secure their services promptly, leading to prolonged project timelines and increased labor costs. This is a primary reason why trade shortages could delay your building project.

A builder with strong connections within the trade community can mitigate the effects of trade shortages. Such builders can pull in favours, secure scarce resources, and ensure prompt service for critical work. Maintaining good relationships with trades through strong organisational skills and timely payments ensures tradespeople are willing to go the extra mile, helping to avoid delays.

Builders can use sophisticated construction management software to stay organised. This technology schedules tradespeople efficiently, ensures materials arrive on time, and keeps all parties informed. An organised builder can prevent the chaos of mismanaged sites, which often lead to costly delays, and thus better manage trade shortages.

Timely payments are crucial in maintaining good relationships with tradespeople. Prompt payment keeps morale high and secures their loyalty and prompt service. Good financial management by builders ensures tradespeople are always willing to prioritise their projects, which is essential for avoiding delays, especially during trade shortages.

By understanding and addressing these aspects, you can better navigate the challenges posed by trade shortages and ensure a smoother construction process.

Choosing a builder with a solid communication infrastructure is crucial. Ensure they have established methods such as scheduled meetings, regular progress reports, and a responsive contact system. An online portal can also be very helpful for real-time updates and keeping you informed throughout the process.

Effective communication and a good team mentality are key indicators. As highlighted in "5 Things You Must Do to Ensure Your Home Build Doesn’t Turn into a Nightmare," finding a builder who values transparency and teamwork will make you feel like a partner rather than just a client.

Entering the journey with your eyes open and maintaining flexibility is essential. Construction is complex and issues can arise. By being well-prepared and understanding that challenges are a normal part of the process, you can manage expectations and address problems calmly, as suggested in "5 Things You Must Do to Ensure Your Home Build Doesn’t Turn into a Nightmare."

The builder's office team is often as knowledgeable as those on-site. By efficiently utilising the office team for minor questions, you free up the site supervisor to focus on ensuring the build stays on time and within budget, thus minimising mistakes and delays.

Working with a professional building firm and a supportive team is key. Clear communication, a solid infrastructure, and a collaborative mindset help to keep the project on track. As noted in "5 Things You Must Do to Ensure Your Home Build Doesn’t Turn into a Nightmare," having the right people in place ensures a stress-free build and enhances the quality of your new home.

Around 15 years ago, the costs associated with renovating existing homes escalated so much that it became more cost-effective to knock down and start fresh. This shift marked the rise of modern custom home builders, focusing on creating homes designed specifically to meet individual needs. These "Lessons that Will Stop You Making a Costly Error When Building a Custom Home" highlight the importance of choosing the right approach from the get-go.

Not all custom home builders are created equal. Some have display homes, which often indicate they might offer more standardised designs with slight variations, similar to project home builders. If you desire a home that truly reflects your lifestyle and budget, selecting a builder who collaborates closely with you is essential. The "Lessons that Will Stop You Making a Costly Error When Building a Custom Home" can guide you in recognising these differences.

Builders who integrate both design and construction services ensure that the home not only looks great but is also financially viable. Architects, while skilled in design, may not always consider practical costs, leading to homes that are beautiful on paper but rarely built. By opting for builders who handle both aspects, you can ensure your dream home becomes a reality.

The incorporation of digital tools and sophisticated project management platforms has revolutionised the home-building process. These advancements allow for better collaboration between builders, clients, and subcontractors, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and with fewer errors. Embracing technology is one of the key "Lessons that Will Stop You Making a Costly Error When Building a Custom Home."

The construction industry historically relied on skilled tradespeople who passed down their expertise through generations. In recent years, this trend has declined, making it crucial to work with a builder who maintains strong relationships with skilled tradespeople. This ensures the quality and efficiency of your custom home project.

By understanding these historical shifts and trends, you can make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls in the custom home-building process.

When selecting a builder, look for qualities such as the ability to say 'no' to unsuitable projects, rigorous client evaluation, firmness with tradespeople, emotional stability, thorough documentation, accountability for mistakes, and a balance of firmness and fairness. These qualities of a trustworthy builder ensure a smooth, stress-free construction process, aligning expectations and maintaining high-quality standards.

Builders who indiscriminately accept all clients often face unnecessary drama and challenges, which can detract from the quality and focus of your project. A trustworthy builder will filter out unsuitable clients to ensure a compatible working relationship, leading to better project outcomes and fewer delays.

Construction is a high-pressure industry, and a builder who remains calm and composed under stress can handle setbacks more effectively. Their emotional stability ensures that issues are resolved constructively, contributing to a smoother project experience. This quality is integral to the overall reliability and trustworthiness of the builder.

A trustworthy builder will insist on documenting everything in writing, including changes, selections, and variations to the original plan. Written agreements eliminate ambiguity, ensuring that both parties have a clear understanding of expectations and responsibilities. This prevents disputes and ensures transparency, protecting the interests of both the client and the builder.

A builder who takes responsibility for their mistakes and fixes them at their own cost demonstrates a high level of integrity. This accountability ensures that any issues will be rectified without unnecessary conflict or expense to you. Trust and accountability are key qualities of a trustworthy builder, essential for managing what could be the biggest investment of your life.