Hooray, You’re in the Construction Phase! What Now?

by Carlisle Homes

See your new home come to life! Here, we explain how the construction process works.

You’ve chosen your dream home, selected the perfect colours and finishes, and signed off on all the paperwork – congratulations, the pre-site phase is done and dusted, and it’s time to start building your house. In the second of a two-part series we guide you through exactly what happens now (you can read our first post on the pre-site phase here/ insert link).

How long does the construction phase last? 

The construction time or your new home is outlined in your HIA contract. It’s important to note that the pace of the building process can be affected by factors such as the complexity of your site, supply of materials, availability of tradespeople and the weather. 

Here are the important steps that happen during this time:

1. Site start

Congratulations, this is the official start of the construction process!

• With the help of your Client Liaison Executive, you will need to prepare the site for site start. 
• Once this is done, we will arrange for an excavator to level your land in preparation for your concrete slab to go down. We’ll send you a letter confirming that construction of your new home has begun. 

2. Laying the foundations

This is called ‘base stage’ – it’s the first major milestone in the construction of your new home when the concrete slab is laid.

• You will get a call from one of our Construction Supervisors to introduce themselves. 
• The position of your house will be set in preparation for the concrete slab to go down. At the same time, initial works on essential facilities such as underground power and drains will be completed. 
• A qualified Building Surveyor will inspect your concrete slab before it is completed. Once the slab has been poured, your base stage is complete. 
• Your first progress payment (15% of the contract value) is now due. 
• At this stage, you’re welcome to make an appointment to meet your Construction Supervisor on-site and inspect your home’s foundation before making the progress payment, as long as you make your payment within seven days of the invoice date.

3. Putting up the frame

Now, the skeleton of your home is erected, including wall frames, roof trusses, wiring, plumbing, insulation and more. 

• After the frame is completed, it will be inspected by a qualified Building Surveyor.
• We will also undertake a Quality Assurance Inspection of your home.  
• Your second progress payment (30% of the contract value) is now due. 
• At this stage, you’re welcome to make an appointment to inspect your home with your Construction Supervisor prior to making your progress payment, so long as payment is made within seven days of the invoice date. 

Important note: There are certain components of the lock-up and fixing stages that can happen concurrently, which may mean that the lock-up and fixing stage invoices are sent to you at the same time.

4. Lock up

At this point, the brickwork, roof tiles, external doors and windows are all installed. Not only will you get a really good sense of what your finished home will look like at this stage, but you will enjoy the idea it is locked up!

• Any temporary doors will be installed until the permanent ones arrive. 
• This stage does not include the completion of eaves, but it does include rear cladding if you have a double storey home. 
• Your third progress payment (19% of the contract value) is now due. 
• You’re welcome to make an appointment with your Construction Supervisor to inspect your home at this stage prior to making your progress payment, as long as we receive your payment within seven days of the invoice date. 

 5. The fixing stage

During this stage, tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters will begin fitting out your home. This includes things such as ceiling and wall components. 

• Plaster is installed on your internal walls and ceilings, along with doors, kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and decorative detailing such as skirting boards and architraves.
• We will conduct a thorough Quality Insurance Inspection of your home.
• Your fourth progress payment (21% of the contract value) is now due. 
• Feel free to make an appointment to inspect your home at this stage with your Construction Supervisor prior to making your progress payment, provided that we receive your payment within seven days of the invoice date. 

6. Completion (sometimes referred to as fit-off.)

At this point, all the finishing touches are made on your home. 

• Painting, tiling, electrical fittings and plumbing fixtures will be completed, and stone benchtops (if specified), door furniture, shower screens and mirrors will be installed. 
• If you have chosen to have the exterior of your home rendered, it will be applied now.
• Towards the end of this stage, your Construction Supervisor will arrange to take you through a Practical Completion Inspection, which is a walk-through and presentation of all your new home’s fantastic features. During this appointment, a settlement date will also be confirmed.
• Settlement normally happens seven to 14 days after your new home presentation. 
• We will conduct a thorough Quality Insurance Inspection of your home.
• A Building Surveyor will complete a final inspection and issue a certificate of occupancy, which will be forwarded to you. 
• Once you have received the certificate of occupancy, you will need to forward it to your financial institution (if applicable) so they can release final payment. 

7. Settlement

Your new home is ready for you to move in!

• On the day of settlement, you will meet your Construction Supervisor at your new home for an on-site handover. They will give you the keys to your new home and a settlement pack with guides to your new home. 
• Appliances will be installed at an agreed time after settlement has taken place. 
• Your final payment (10% of contract value plus any unpaid variations) is also due on the day of settlement. This amount includes the last stage payment and any unpaid variations. 
• You will also receive a link to the Carlisle Home Care app so we can continue to manage our ongoing warranty commitment for you new home.
• Congratulations, it’s time to move in!
• 14 days after settlement, we’ll contact you to answer any questions you may have.  

Important note: A bank cheque or direct deposit is required for final payment. If you make a direct deposit, please ensure transfer is made at least two clear business days prior to settlement.