Frequently asked Questions about New Home Building & Renovations

How Do I Get Started?

A consultation meeting can be arranged at any time to discuss your build options, design and budget. It's an ideal time for us to get to know each other and talk through exactly what it is you want and how we can help you.

How Do I Choose A Builder?

Your builder needs to qualify themselves to you and you need to feel that your receiving value, professionalism & quality from them. You also need to feel that you will have a good business relationship.

Some ways to qualify your builder are:

look at their past projects
read their testimonials
ask for references from past clients & get in touch with them if need be
check out their guarantee options and see what piece of mind you will receive throughout your building project.

When Do I Call In A Builder?

It is a good idea to get your builder involved from the very beginning, working together to build the house you want, without breaking your budget. However, if you already have plans and not sure on your next step, we are here to help at any stage of your build project.

Will I Have To Lodge A Building Consent?

No. A Cut Above Building will deal with all aspects of the consent process, including council queries, inspections and regulations, utilising our years of experience saving you time & frustration.

Do I Need A Qualified Builder?

A qualified builder is able to manage all aspects of a build or renovation from council permits and sub contractors to compliance codes and all the legal requirements in between.

Will My Project Require A Permit?

If you require structural work or you are modifying mechanical systems such as pluming/gas/electrical, then yes you will require a permit. A Cut Above Building will obtain all necessary permits and take responsibility for compliance.

Do I Get A Guarantee When Building?

Absolutely. As Certified Builders we offer an extensive 10 year guarantee. Under this guarantee you will be covered in the unlikely event of loss of deposit, non-completion, defective workmanship, rot and structural defects, giving you peace of mind throughout your build. This guarantee is also transferable when & if you sell your property.A Cut Above Building Rock Solid Guarantee

Isn't One Builder The Same As Another?

Quite simply, no. Like anything in life there is the good, the bad and the in between. An average builder will have a qualification and be a licensed building practitioner, but a good builder should be able to provide you with the following:

Comprehensive guarantees
Testimonials from satisfied customers
Image gallery of previous work
Provide you with a quality assurance
They should be able to provide you with solid reasons to build with them.

From the beginning we try to get a better understanding of what's important to you by sending you our comprehensive questionnaire. Once you have filled this out and returned it to us, we can tailor the design and budget to your needs and wants.

What are PC Sums?

PC Sums are a plus cost's figure that builders use to estimate unknown aspects of the build.
For example in a quote there may be wording along the lines of:

Kitchen PC SUM $12,000 – this means if your kitchen was to cost you $18,000 your end cost would increase by $6,000. If this trend continues through the build you could find you have significant cost over runs.

You want to try to avoid these as much as possible and while they may occasionally be required, at A Cut Above Building we like to put the time in to find out exactly what it is you want so we can minimise these and provide you with an accurate quote. The more time we spend with you working out your likes/dislikes and needs and wants the greater our ability to provide you with the plans, and ultimately the home your seeking with no hidden surprises.

What Suppliers Do You Use?

Over many years of being in the building industry A Cut Above Building has established relationships with a select group of suppliers. This ensures A Cut Above can offer competitive prices, excellent service and trustworthy contractors on your site. Just like you, we demand and expect only the best, therefore we have vigorous checks in place so that we can guarantee any materials or contractors that represent A Cut Above Building achieve our expectations of excellence.

Can I Visit The Site?

Yes, absolutely. However, our top priority is to keep you and your family safe. Contact with your Project Manager would be appreciated as at certain times the construction site may not be a safe place for visitors.

How Often Are Payments Required During Construction?

When building a home, progress payments are generally required on completion of certain milestones, such as foundations laid, framing erected, roof on to just name a few. At A Cut Above Building we have broken down our builds into 9 specific milestones. However all payments and amounts are clearly outlined in our building contract. Payments can easily be structured to fit in with your banks requirements. You will receive an invoice when each payment is due. Payment is usually required within 7 days.

How Much Deposit Do I Need To Pay?

A deposit is required to ensure all pre-build items/paperwork can be sourced and to book your building project. This is usually 10% of the build cost, however this can vary based on the type of project.

Can We Provide Our Own Plan?

Most definitely. Although a large portion of our work includes this design process, we are more than happy to build from already sourced plans. We are more than happy to provide a fixed price quote.

Couldn’t find the answer you needed here?

Why not ask us a question?

We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about your build.

Ask A Question

New Build & Renovation FAQ's

Couldn’t find the answer you needed here?