So there's a delay building your home? 5 tips to make time fly

The last 2 years have been difficult for all Australians and have definitely put a strain on the construction industry and Bundaberg builders. While things may not be 'business as usual', we’re still here helping home builders in Bundaberg to build their dream homes – even if it is a little different than usual! If you’ve had delays on the start of your home build, here’s 5 things you can do to make the time fly.

Get things rolling

With Covid lockdowns and restrictions on builds, lead times to start building may be longer than usual - but so is the planning process, which we start right away. Many first-time builders have no idea just how long it takes to prepare for a build.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

• Preliminary stages – 2-4 weeks
• Plan design – 4 weeks
• Engineering – 4-6 weeks
• Quotes from trades and suppliers – 4 weeks
• Approvals – 4-6 weeks

And that’s all if you know what you want and who you want to build with! The first 4-6 months of planning your build will go by faster than you can imagine, so if you haven’t yet locked in your custom house builder, it’s best to do so now. There are many Bundaberg builders to choose from, so make sure you find one that understands your vision and can deliver your project in a reasonable time based on the current industry delays. That's right there are delays but if you find a reliable builder, they will be upfront with you and set expectations accordingly. 

Get your finances in order

Another obstacle that can trip up your build start time is not having your finances in order. There is countless paperwork your lender will need before final approval. Some of this you’ll need to supply upfront, while other documents will be supplied during the preparation for the build. Make sure that you have a clear list of the things you need to supply and ask your lender when they need these documents by, to avoid any unforeseen delays.  

Have your building selections ready

There’s nothing worse than thinking you’re all ready to go and then being held up because you didn’t order your selections on time. Depending on your selections, materials may be in stock and easy to order, or could take some time to get in – this is even more common with supply issues due to Covid. Make sure you talk to your builder about your selections early so that you can take your time selecting the perfect colours and finishes for your home, and talk through the different options with your builder.

One thing to keep in mind is that orders may need to be completed earlier than usual due to supply issues, delivery delays and other hiccups. Be transparent with your builder about how long you’ll take to decide your selections, and ask for a hard date you need them in by. When your builder tells you they need your selections by a certain date to be ready for the build, they mean it! Make sure you get back to them as soon as possible, with plenty of time to spare.

Be open to new house materials or changes to your selections

Once you have your selections decided on, you should try to keep an open mind about other alternatives. Some things may be worth waiting for, but if there’s a nation-wide shortage, you could be waiting months for the materials to come in for your build. Your builder will do everything they can to secure your preferred selections – but if they can’t get exactly what you had in mind, be open to other options.

If you want to avoid disappointment, it may be a good idea to pre-select backup materials. This way your builder can check for alternatives straight away, rather than coming back to you with bad news, waiting for your new selections, and then trying to source them again. This also gives you more options when it comes to your time frames. For example, your builder may be able to get one selection on time for your build, while another could take an extra 4 weeks to come in. By getting your builder to check both options prior to starting construction, you’ll have more choice in whether you would like to wait or not.  

Be patient with your home builder

We understand that you’re eager to get the keys to your new home. But, if you rush the process you’ll likely end up with something imperfect. Depending on your suburb, some tradies may be unable to work due to lockdowns, and when they do get back to work, they’ll be weeks or months behind on existing builds. You may be able to source other people to do the work sooner, but good tradies are worth waiting for.

We’re also here to help make the most of the situation. As they say, we’re all in this together – be patient and kind to your builder, and they’ll go above and beyond to give you the home of your dreams.

Looking to start planning your new home in Bundaberg? Contact us today for a simple consultation and learn how we can make your dreams a reality.