20 Questions Every First-Time Builder Should Ask Before They Sign Anything

18 July 2026 · 4 min read

Knowing the right questions to ask before building a home can save six figures and months of stress once construction is under way. Most building disputes trace back to a question that was never asked, or an answer that was assumed rather than confirmed. Here are 20 worth asking before you sign anything, grouped by where they matter most.

Contract and Cost

Is this a fixed-price contract, and what exactly does that cover? Confirm whether your price can change once construction starts, and under what conditions. Our guide to fixed-price contracts breaks down what should and shouldn't be included.

What's excluded from the headline price? Soil tests, permits, landscaping and service connections are commonly excluded. Get the full list in writing before you compare quotes.

How are variations priced and approved? Ask for a sample variation document, not just a verbal explanation, so you know what to expect if you change something mid-build.

What warranty comes with the finished home? Confirm what's covered, for how long, and who to contact if an issue appears after handover.

Design and Site

Has this design been engineered for my specific block, or adapted from a standard plan? This matters more on sloping, irregular or overlay-affected sites. Our guide to custom homes vs display homes covers this distinction in more detail.

What overlays or zoning restrictions apply to my property? Heritage, vegetation, flood and bushfire overlays can all affect what's achievable, and they're far cheaper to identify before a design is finalised than after.

What star rating is this design achieving, and is it the minimum or better? Victoria and Queensland both require a 7-star NatHERS minimum. Our guide to NatHERS star ratings explains what separates a home built to the minimum from one built well beyond it.

Is smart home and energy infrastructure planned in from the start? Solar, battery, EV charging and automation are all cheaper to wire in during construction than retrofit later. Our guide to smart home technology covers what's worth planning for.

Builder and Process

Is your builder's licence current, and does it match the business name on the contract? This is checkable independently through your state's building authority register. Our guide to choosing a builder covers exactly what to verify.

Can I see completed homes, not just renders? Ask for addresses you can visit, and ideally speak to a past client about how the build actually went.

Who will be my main point of contact, and will they still be involved at handover? Continuity matters more than most people expect once a project is underway.

What's a realistic timeline, including approvals, not just construction? Planning and building permit timeframes vary significantly by council and site complexity, so ask for a full timeline, not just a construction schedule.

Site-Specific and Regional Questions

If I'm considering a knockdown rebuild, what does that process actually involve? Our guide to knockdown rebuilds walks through demolition, permits, and realistic timeframes.

If I'm buying land and building separately, how does that compare to a house and land package? Our guide to house and land packages breaks down the trade-offs.

If I'm building in Queensland rather than Victoria, what actually changes? Regulatory frameworks, climate-driven design priorities and approval processes all differ. Our comparison of building in Queensland vs Victoria covers the key differences.

If I'm adding a granny flat rather than a full home, what applies? Rules differ significantly by state, and within Queensland, by council. Our guides to granny flats in Victoria and granny flats in Queensland cover both.

After Handover

What happens if a defect appears after I move in? Confirm the process, timeframe and who's responsible before you need to use it.

Is ongoing maintenance support available, and what does it cost? Ask whether this is included, optional, or not offered at all.

What documentation will I receive at handover? As-built plans, warranty certificates and compliance documentation should all be provided, not just the keys.

Am I comfortable with the answers I've gotten so far? If any of these questions get a vague or evasive answer, that's worth treating as information in itself.

If you're planning a build and want straight answers to any of these before you commit, we're happy to talk it through.

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