Your 8 Step Guide to Building with McCarthy Homes
1. Land Selection
Choosing a home to suit your block of land is extremely important to ensure you can build the home of your dreams. There are many things to be considered such as the correct aspect, the right side of the street, availability of services, its overall shape, its slope and of course affordability.
Key considerations should include:
a. Soil: The type of soil on a site can influence the building requirements of a home, especially the foundations. Soil expands and contracts with temperature and moisture and the type of soil determines the appropriate foundations. A soil test is a necessity to assess impact on the cost of foundations.
b. Slope: The steeper the land, the more site preparation involved in providing a secure foundation on which your home can be built. Unless you have a ‘flat’ block (300mm or less of overall slope) you will need to factor in extra costs to provide a solid foundation.
c. Shape: Will the block accommodate the shape and design of the home you desire? Are there any restrictions on the block such as easements or covenants that may prevent you building the home you want? With a corner block, are you able to build side fences to protect your privacy?
d. Aspect: This involves the positioning of the house on the land to maximise the benefit of natural light on living areas, and assist energy efficiency. In simple terms, while the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, it always has a northerly aspect.
It is often desirable to have living areas and family/meals areas facing to the north or east, although building design can often compensate where this is not possible. West facing walls may also attract afternoon sun, making them warmer than the rest of the house. Good in winter, not so good in summer.
e. Services: Check that services such as Telstra, water, gas, sewerage and electricity are available. They should be either available to be connected immediately or are firmly contracted for future connection.
2. Developing a Design
To develop the design, we have an initial meeting, which will take approximately 1-2 hours to determine your preferences for number of living areas, bathrooms, ensuites, robes, storage space, height of ceilings, facades, garage, orientation and position on land if available, roof-lines, verandas, open space with integration of exterior/interior living space and approximate budget.
If land is available, we will also require dimensions and conduct a contour level survey to determine an approximate cost of any site-works, driveway gradients and drainage required for the appropriate positioning of the house on the land.
Within 10 working days we will have an initial concept floor-plan drawn and arrange a further meeting with input required to further finetune and develop the floor-plan.
This process of further meetings and fine-tuning will take as long as required until you are completely happy with your final design. McCarthy Homes charges NO FEE for this service but retains copyright of the final plan. If the plan is built with another builder, a fee will be charged for this design service.
3. Price Estimation and Quotation
Following approval of the final design, we will require your input on various selections to determine an approximate price estimate. These selections include type of façade, selection of windows and exterior surfaces (brick/render/other etc), lighting and electrical design, internal appliances, kitchen design, toilet suites, basins, tap-ware, showers, wet area tiling and floor coverings, hot water service, air conditioning etc.
An estimated price can then be given to determine suitability with available budget. If changes are required to meet budget, we can assist with helping you to prioritise and determine the best value for money on selections.
A detailed quotation is prepared which will detail all of the inclusions selected by the client. This quotation will provide a preliminary specification and price for the building of the house. This price is subject to completed soil tests and engineering report if required.
4. Decision to Proceed
Following presentation of the quotation, the decision to proceed is made by notifying us, and we will then prepare contract documentation.
Contract documentation includes the standard HIA New Homes contract, which protects all parties and meets all legislative requirements. Copies are provided for the owner and the builder and include a schedule for deposit and progress payments.
5. Working Drawings
On acceptance of the quotation, and an initial payment to cover ‘working drawings’, our draftsperson will commence the detailed plans required for council permit application and the construction of your home. These drawings will be ready for you to check in approximately 10 days time. Your finance institution will require these drawings to process any loan application.
6. Plans to Council
Building permits are the documents that signify that a building surveyor has approved documentation for proposed building work prior to its commencement. A building permit is required before construction can commence.
Whilst your plans are being processed by council, (this should take approximately 2 weeks) you are now in a position to meet with one of our interior decorators who will document all your colour selections.
7. Construction
Your plans have now been approved by council and include all the necessary permits and certificates for construction to commence.
During construction: Steve McCarthy will now guide you through the process to completion. Steve can be contacted at any time by mobile, and regular meetings can be held onsite at various times to keep you up to date.
During this period, progress payments will be made in accord with the requirements of the HIA building contract.
8. Moving In
Steve will walk you through your new home to inspect and double check that all work is completed to your absolute satisfaction, as well to impart any information you may require prior to moving in.
It is requested that final settlement occur prior to taking possession and you are then ready to move in.
Your hand over kit will include:
a. all keys and remote controls to the premises.
b. all warranties and certificates.
c. all manuals for appliances contained within your new home.
d. contact details for service connections.
e. termite protection warranty obligations.
It is normal when a new home is built and lived in for a period of time, that the house ‘settles in’ with minor adjustments due to climate changes etc. A form in which any issues that should arise over the next 3 months can be documented for rectification. This should be presented to us at the completion of the first 3 months.
We thank you for considering McCarthy Homes.