What are the phases of home construction?

While many people dream of one day building their own home, many inexperienced builders make some common mistakes.

Each construction process is unique because it is based on the size and scope of the construction project. However, whether constructing a new home or renovating an existing one, the same fundamental steps and principles must be followed.

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The Stages of Building a House in Australia

This is the start of a brand new and exciting chapter in your life. It is in your best interest to learn the eight stages of the Australian homebuilding process.

If you do this, your time there will be both exciting and stress-free. This way, you'll be well-prepared for whatever may come your way.

Pre-Construction Planning

Before beginning any home construction work, it is important to gather and organise all of the required paperwork and legal documents.

In order to accomplish this, you and your builder will need to meet on multiple occasions to discuss the suitability of the land, go over your floor plan options, and finalise the details of your home design (such as your inclusions, colours, and material style selections). If you need to make changes to your buildings, it will take longer to complete the work and each request will be reviewed separately.

However, your builder will be able to give you timeframes for this process, so get in touch with either your designated Salesperson or the Customer Service Administrator.

Once the contract is finalised and all legal issues are settled, your builder will begin working to secure the necessary approvals to begin construction.

If your application is accepted, the next step is to submit the first scheduled HIA-a prescribed deposit of 5% from your financial institution, and then construction on your new home can begin.

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Build Stage 1 – Base

While it may not seem like it at the time, the foundational phase of your build is crucial. This is where everything else will be built upon, so it's important to get it right from the start. Once work has begun on a building, altering the foundation is a major undertaking.

The preliminary phase includes the following elements:

Temporary fencing

If a temporary fence has been set up around your property, then work is likely to begin in the near future. Securing the fence at all times and in every way possible is a crucial safety measure that must be taken before any kind of work can begin. The upkeep of this fence is the responsibility of your builders.

Portable Toilet

The construction crew will have access to a portable chemical toilet if they need to go to the restroom while on the job site. This is usually located near the front of your block, within the confines of the temporary fencing.

These are the same types of restrooms that can be found at most music festivals, so if you suffer from claustrophobia, you may want to wait until you get home before using them.

Site Clearance

Before laying any foundations, the land where you plan to build must be cleared. It's common practise for construction businesses to charge more if your site is filthy.

If this is required, most contractors will let you know ahead of time, and only a small percentage of contractors will factor in the price of site clearance and garbage removal.

Excavation

Your construction site will be prepared for drainage channelling and installation of drainage systems by first excavating the site to remove topsoil and level the ground.

Most construction companies will not level or excavate any area of land that is not part of the "building envelope," or the area that has been approved for construction. There will be a price increase associated with any extra groundwork requirements.

Drainage & Pipe Work

After the site has been levelled and cleaned up, the plumber will dig trenches, instal the underground plumbing and drainage pipes and connect the pipes.

When the work is done, there will be a flat area with a number of pipes running vertically in it.

Cut & Fill

As soon as the plumbing contractors have completed their work, an excavator will be brought to the site and used to lay out the general shape of the foundation. Your lot will be ready to have a slab installed on it as soon as this is done.

Peg Out

During the peg-out stage, either a professional surveyor or the concrete slab contractor will drive in a series of reference pegs and connect them with a glowing string. This pegboard system can be used to sketch out a general outline of the area where the foundation will be poured.

Silt Barriers

Water runoff from a site can cause serious damage to nearby structures and landscaping if it is allowed to flow onto public walkways or into storm drains unchecked. This is carried out to ensure the continued health of the natural ecosystem.

Power Supply

While the slab has not yet been poured, an electrical contractor will visit the site to set up your metre box. Your metre box will temporarily reside on a pole in the area where one of your walls will be constructed. It will work as a stopgap measure for the time being. During this time, the electrician will also link your building to the city's electrical grid.

Retaining Walls

This is not necessary for every site, but it is critical for sites that are elevated or have a sizable step down to the site next door.

Putting up a retaining wall is only a good idea if your property is at risk of collapsing onto or merging with an adjacent property.

Slab Construction

We're entering a thrilling era of progress. An expert in concrete slabs will first construct a wooden frame around the pegged outline of your property, then line it with black PVC plastic. We'll finish this up just before pouring the slab.

Because most slabs are hollow in the middle, it is common practise to instal filler material like polystyrene blocks, on top of which a mesh of reinforcing bars is laid; the whole structure is then suspended by plastic risers.

The final phase involves pouring and levelling concrete according to the builder's exact instructions. There will be no more delays in construction now that the slab can dry.

Build Stage 2 – The Frame

When the slab is poured, the next visible sign of construction progress will be the frame.

In most cases, a day is all that is needed to frame a simple, one-story home. The time needed to construct a two-story house can vary from two to five days, depending on the complexity of the project.

In most cases, the Frame Stage will consist of the following elements:

All external & internal frames for walls.

Frame walls are constructed from upright beams that are joined together using smaller pieces of wood called noggins to form a strong frame that can be fastened to either the exterior wrapping or the interior plasterboards. In addition to providing structural support, the exterior of a building's frame walls are used to mount windows and doors.

Installation of all windows & doors.

Once your building's framed walls are up, you can start working on installing the windows and doors. It usually occurs during or shortly after the framing phase. It is not uncommon for builders to instal temporary doors in advance of Stage 3 as part of the pre-Stage 3 preparations.

Electrical box fixed in place.

At this point, the fuse box that controls your home's electricity has been built into the structure itself. It was fastened to the pole back when the foundation slab for the house was being poured.

Floor joists (if double story)

Putting up a two-story building, then? Should that be the case, you'll discover that the upper floor's floor joists have already been set up. The second level's framework will be constructed atop these vertical structures.

Cladding

Where can I find cladding? This is the stage at which the wooden cladding you ordered is put in place.

Floor boarding (If double story)

Upstairs floorboards in a two-story house are laid on top of the floor joists and fastened in place with nails. Usually, chipboard is used for this purpose.

Build Stage 3 – Lock-Up

The majority of owners get excited at the "lock up" stage. When they finally get a look at what looks like a nearly finished house, they get very excited, but in reality, the builders are only halfway through.

It's reasonable to assume the following steps have been completed at this point:

Building Wrap

Wrapping a building in a special kind of reinforced paper helps keep it safe from the elements. Commonly referred to as sisalation paper or sarking on construction sites, building wrap is a type of insulating covering that also acts as a reflector.

If windows were not installed during Stage 2 construction, they are now attached to the frame.

Roof

Now is the time to put in the roofing, flashing, gullies, tiles, tin, and insulation. If there are no surprises and the roof isn't too big, this work can usually be completed in a single day.

Walls

From now on, you can start putting in things like brickwork, cement sheets, blockwork, and insulation systems. It's a good idea to double check with your builder on this, as some will also include the render or the render base coat while others won't.

Facia boards

Fascia boards and soffit boards (for houses with overhangs) are mounted. These boards serve no practical purpose other than to improve the visual appeal of the house's design, particularly its overhangs and other exposed parts.

Gutters

When installing the roof, it's also common practise to attach the gutters at the same time. Conversely, downpipes that carry water from your roof gutters to the sewer are rarely installed until much later in the building process. Water pooling on a construction site can cause structural damage if it is not controlled, so any competent builder will use temporary plastic bags to do so.

Doors

Even though permanent exterior doors can be installed at this point, builders typically opt for temporary ones. Your extremely high-priced and decorative doors will be safe from harm this way.

When the final inspection is complete, the temporary doors will be removed and replaced with the decorative doors you supplied.

Brickwork

Brickwork veneer or rendered finish, whichever you chose, may be completed at this point in the building process. Obviously, that depends on the contractor you end up hiring.

Build Stage 4 – Fixing

At this stage, the structure begins to take on the appearance of the rendered images and designs from the plans. Exciting things are happening now.

All the stress and anxiety from having to walk over the first slab and through the frame while wondering if the measurements were accurate will be eliminated during the stage of fixing.

This is what you can expect:

Insulation

Your attic and wall space now have insulation. Since it is typically installed prior to plasterboarding the ceiling and walls, it may be invisible once the work is complete.

Plasterboard

Ceilings, cornices, and walls are all part of the area that needs to be plastered (if purchased).

Depending on the size of the house and the experience of the crew, plasterboard installation can take as little as one day or as long as two days. For the most part, a week is all that is needed to complete the construction of a two-story home.

Once the plasterboards are up and the spaces between them are filled, you can paint the walls and ceilings.

Air conditioning / Ducted Heating

Ducted heating and air conditioning systems have their units installed in the attic or the roof.

The ceiling plasterboards may not always be in their final locations when the units are installed. Most builders, however, prefer to instal them after completion to reduce the possibility of theft.

Wet Areas

Waterproofing the space is necessary before tiling any wet area such as a bathroom, toilet, washroom, or laundry room.

An expert contractor will typically perform this step, which entails identifying potential problem areas and sealing them off from the infiltration of water.

Carpentry

In carpentry, there are two distinct phases. Cabinets, vanities, architraves, and sills for internal windows are all installed in the first phase of the project. High-priced, easily damaged items like cabinet doors and counter tops are saved for the second and final stage of construction.

Plumbing

Like the carpentry phase, the plumbing phase is divided into two distinct but equally important parts. The first part of the renovation consists of fixtures like bath tubs, sinks, shower trays, and laundry troughs.

Faucets, showerheads, and toilet bowls are installed as the final step after the tiling is finished to prevent any damage to the fixtures during installation.

Electrical

Before you start putting up drywall, your electrician will "rough in" all of the wiring and other electrical parts that will be needed. The result is that the TV, phone, and data cables will all lead to the breaker box but won't actually be connected to anything there. This is done for the sake of obvious safety.

Brickwork

If bricklaying and rendering weren't completed in the previous stage, they will be in this one.

Garages and Carports

At this stage, you can expect to see the construction of any detached garages or carports that were included in your plan. Keep in mind that the garage door installation might not occur until much later.

Build Stage 5 – Completion

As the old adage goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day," so it's important to put the work that goes into constructing a home into context. It may seem like an eternity, but your patience will be rewarded handsomely as you wait for the remaining tradespeople to finish the subsequent work.

Plumbing

Your licenced plumber will instal and thoroughly test fixtures like shower heads, faucets, mixers, shower screens, toilets, outdoor faucets, water storage, and water heaters. It's only natural to assume this would be the case.

Painting

The painters will now paint all of the interior and exterior walls. Remember that when spray painting walls and ceilings, two coats is the industry standard. At the very end of the painting process, you will paint the trim, doors, and other woodwork.

Electrical

As part of the final fix, your electricians will instal everything from power outlets and light fixtures to data and phone jacks and any other "smart home" components that may be required.

Carpentry

All interior doors, door handles, and door latches will be installed as part of the last-minute fix, along with any other carpentry components that may be needed.

Floors

At this point, non-tile flooring options like carpeting, hardwood, and floating vinyl will be set up.

Paths & Driveways

You can expect the builder to instal it now if you've requested it. The reverse, however, is rarely true unless it is stated explicitly.

Site Clean

When any and all debris and leftover materials from the construction project have been hauled away, it's a positive sign that work is nearing completion. Remember that this is more of a clearing of clutter than a thorough cleaning.

Pre Handover Inspection

Pre-handover inspections give you the opportunity to formally report and document any issues that have cropped up during the course of construction.

Builders typically allot two weeks to three weeks for the resolution of any issues that may arise during the construction process. Check everything thoroughly and calmly, as this is your last chance to find and fix issues before moving in.

Appliances

Your oven, stove, dishwasher, air conditioner, and other high-priced appliances will be installed on handover day to ensure they are not damaged or stolen in the interim.

Hand Over

Don't waste any time getting settled in; just grab the keys and go! For more guidance and details after the handover, please refer to our Tips & Tricks and Other Services sections.

Post-Construction and Home Assurance

Typically, builders offer a maintenance period of three months to a year after you move in during which they will fix anything that breaks.

Your home will weather the four seasons and stand the test of time if you give it enough time to acclimate to them.

Your builder will most likely also provide you with a structural warranty or guarantee that lasts anywhere from seven to fifty years. Do you want additional peace of mind with your new home purchase? Check out our Melbourne home repairs to help you to build your dream house.

Building a house doesn't have to be a scary experience. The exciting adventure of building your own home can be more easily navigated if you have a clear understanding of the process as a whole.

You have a builder who will be there for you every step of the way to ensure that this journey is successful and enjoyable.

Conclusion

How an Australian Home Is Constructed. The size and scope of a construction project determine its own unique procedure. Both new home construction and renovation of an existing home require an initial commitment to the same fundamental steps and principles. A temporary fence around your property indicates that demolition or construction is imminent. Your construction team is responsible for the upkeep of this fence.

There is a general rule in the building industry that no part of the property outside of the "building envelope" will be levelled or excavated. If your land is sliding towards or merging with neighbouring land, a retaining wall may be necessary. Framing a single-story house typically takes only a day. This could take anywhere from two days to five days, depending on how involved the project is. Putting in windows and doors is a task that can begin once the framed walls of your building are up.

Your custom wood cladding has been installed. Currently, the fuse box that regulates the electricity in your home is an integral part of the structure. Currently, the building is taking shape much like the computer-generated images and designs do in the plans. In the absence of proper drainage, standing water on a construction site poses a significant threat to the integrity of the buildings being built there. The time required to instal plasterboard can range from one day to two.

Tiling and plumbing are two distinct phases in carpentry. Cabinet doors and counter tops, which are both expensive and easy to damage, are installed in the second to last phase of construction. This is the point at which the painters will get to work painting the interior and exterior of the building. As opposed to a deep cleaning, a "Site Clean" entails merely clearing away any unnecessary debris. During pre-handover inspections, you can report and keep track of any problems that have arisen during construction. On the day of handover, expensive appliances will be set up to reduce the risk of loss or theft.

Content Summary

• Each construction process is unique because it is based on the size and scope of the construction project.
• This is the start of a brand new and exciting chapter in your life.
• It is in your best interest to learn the eight stages of the Australian homebuilding process.
• While it may not seem like it at the time, the foundational phase of your build is crucial.
• If a temporary fence has been set up around your property, then work is likely to begin in the near future.
• The upkeep of this fence is the responsibility of your builders.
• The construction crew will have access to a portable chemical toilet if they need to go to the restroom while on the job site.
• As soon as the plumbing contractors have completed their work, an excavator will be brought to the site and used to lay out the general shape of the foundation.
• While the slab has not yet been poured, an electrical contractor will visit the site to set up your metre box.
• Your metre box will temporarily reside on a pole in the area where one of your walls will be constructed.
• Putting up a retaining wall is only a good idea if your property is at risk of collapsing onto or merging with an adjacent property.
• When the slab is poured, the next visible sign of construction progress will be the frame.
• Once your building's framed walls are up, you can start working on installing the windows and doors.
• The majority of owners get excited at the "lock up" stage.
• When installing the roof, it's also common practise to attach the gutters at the same time.
• Conversely, downpipes that carry water from your roof gutters to the sewer are rarely installed until much later in the building process.
• When the final inspection is complete, the temporary doors will be removed and replaced with the decorative doors you supplied.
• At this stage, the structure begins to take on the appearance of the rendered images and designs from the plans.
• Once the plasterboards are up and the spaces between them are filled, you can paint the walls and ceilings.
• Ducted heating and air conditioning systems have their units installed in the attic or the roof.
• Cabinets, vanities, architraves, and sills for internal windows are all installed in the first phase of the project.
• Like the carpentry phase, the plumbing phase is divided into two distinct but equally important parts.
• The first part of the renovation consists of fixtures like bath tubs, sinks, shower trays, and laundry troughs.
• Before you start putting up drywall, your electrician will "rough in" all of the wiring and other electrical parts that will be needed.
• Remember that this is more of a clearing of clutter than a thorough cleaning.
• Pre-handover inspections give you the opportunity to formally report and document any issues that have cropped up during the course of construction.
• Builders typically allot two weeks to three weeks for the resolution of any issues that may arise during the construction process.
• Check everything thoroughly and calmly, as this is your last chance to find and fix issues before moving in.
• For more guidance and details after the handover, please refer to our Tips & Tricks and Other Services sections.
• ypically, builders offer a maintenance period of three months to a year after you move in during which they will fix anything that breaks.
• Building a house doesn't have to be a scary experience.
• The exciting adventure of building your own home can be more easily navigated if you have a clear understanding of the process as a whole.