Step 1: Your Enquiry

When you get in touch, we’ll ask for the basics — your property address, what you’re looking to build, where you’re at with the design and documentation, your budget range and your ideal timeframe. I personally read every enquiry before we speak.

I want to come into that first conversation with a clear understanding of your project, rather than spending your time working through information you’ve already provided.

It means we can get straight to what matters — your project, what you’re hoping to achieve, and whether we’re the right builder to bring it to life.

Step 2: Initial Phone Consultation

This is where we have a proper conversation about your project. We’ll talk through what you’re looking to build, what’s driving the project, the style and level of finish you’re after, your budget, timeframe, and whether you’re planning to remain in the home while we build.

​

I’ll also take you through how we work and what you can expect from us, so everything is clear from the outset.

Whether you’re at the napkin-sketch stage or already have a full set of council-approved plans, this conversation gives us both a clear understanding of the project and where we go from here.

Step 3: Preliminary Documentation Review &
Budget Expectations

If you don’t have plans or drawings yet - skip to step 4. If you already have plans, engineering drawings, soil reports or council documentation, send them through and we’ll take a proper look.

​

At this stage, Declan personally reviews the documentation to get a clear understanding of the scope, complexity and requirements of your build. From there, he’ll provide an honest, high-level indication of where your budget is likely to sit.

​

The aim is simple — to make sure your expectations and the realities of the project align before either of us invests more time or money in taking the next step.

Step 4: Initial Site Meeting

We meet you at the property, alongside your architect or designer if involved, to gain a clear understanding of your project and its setting. Together, we review site access, anticipated timing, site conditions and neighbouring properties.

For renovations, we also assess the existing structure to identify potential constraints and matters requiring further investigation.

​

This complimentary, obligation-free meeting is an opportunity to get to know one another, discuss your priorities and understand how your plans relate to the site.

Step 5: Project Suitability & Preliminary Feedback

After the site meeting, we take the time to properly assess the project — whether we’re the right builder for it, whether the budget aligns with what you’re looking to achieve, and whether the proposed timeframe is realistic.

​

Then we’ll give you honest feedback. If something doesn’t quite stack up yet, we’ll tell you and explain why. That might mean further design work, additional investigation or reconsidering part of the scope before moving forward.

​

We’d rather have those conversations early than tell you what you want to hear and deal with the consequences later.

Step 6: Pre-Construction Agreement

Once we’re confident we’re aligned, we formalise the next stage with a Pre-Construction Agreement.

​

This brings us properly into the project to assist with design development, documentation, estimating and coordinating the consultants required to get your project construction-ready.

​

From here, we manage the project through Buildxact and Procore, keeping estimates, schedules, documentation and project updates organised in one place. It gives everyone clear visibility over where things stand and what needs to happen next.

Step 7: Design Development & Consultant Coordination

We work closely with your architect, engineer and other consultants to develop the documentation your project needs to be ready for construction. Depending on the build, that may include structural engineering, hydraulics, energy assessments, town planning, interior selections and other specialist requirements.

​

Having us involved at this stage means we can identify potential cost increases, construction challenges and buildability issues while they’re still relatively straightforward to resolve.

​

It’s about making sure the design doesn’t just work on paper — it can actually be built the way it was intended, within the expectations we’ve established together.

Step 8: Detailed Estimating

Once the documentation is developed enough for us to accurately price the project, we undertake a detailed cost assessment.

​

We obtain and review quotations from our trusted subcontractors and suppliers, work through the scope in detail and identify any allowances, exclusions or areas that still require clarification.

​

Your proposal will generally include:

• Detailed scope of works

• Construction price

• Prime cost and provisional sum allowances

• Inclusions and exclusions

• Proposed construction timeframe
   

The aim is to give you a clear picture of what you’re paying for and what has been allowed for — before we move into contract.

Step 9: Proposal Presentation & Review

We’ll send you the proposal first so you have time to look through it properly, then meet with you to go through everything together.

​

We explain the pricing, allowances, scope and proposed construction approach, and work through any questions or changes before preparing the contract.

​

If the project is coming in above budget, we can also work through value-management options to bring costs back into line without unnecessarily compromising the design, functionality or quality of the finished home.

Step 10: Building Contract

Once we’re all comfortable with the scope, price and proposed construction timeframe, we prepare the building contract for review and signing.

​

The required deposit is paid and we arrange the relevant insurance, statutory documentation and other requirements needed before construction can begin.

​

By this point, there should be no major surprises — we’ve done the work upfront so everyone knows what we’re building, what’s included and how we’re going to deliver it.

Step 11: Pre-Start Meeting

Before we start construction, we hold a detailed pre-start meeting to make sure everyone is clear on how the project will operate from day one.

​

We’ll work through:
 

• Final drawings and specifications

• Any outstanding selections

• Site access arrangements

• Working hours

• How and when we’ll communicate

• Decision-making responsibilities

• Variation approval process

• Progress claims

• Client access to the site

• Neighbouring property considerations

• Temporary accommodation, where relevant

• Storage or removal of belongings

• Key construction milestones

• Anticipated commencement date
   

It’s our opportunity to sort out the practical details before the site gets busy and make sure everyone starts the build on the same page.

Step 12: Site Establishment & Construction Commencement

Now the project starts to become real.

We secure and prepare the site for construction.

​

Depending on the project, the early works may include temporary fencing and site facilities, protection works, service disconnections, demolition, vegetation clearing, excavation, earthworks and survey set-out.

​

We’ll keep you informed about what’s happening on site, upcoming works, access requirements and any decisions we need from you as construction gets underway.

Step 13: Construction

With the site established, construction moves through the major stages of the build.

​

Depending on the project, these typically include:
 

1. Site preparation and excavation

2. Foundations, footings and concrete works

3. Structural framing

4. Roofing and external enclosure

5. Windows, doors and cladding

6. Services rough-ins

7. Insulation and internal linings

8. Waterproofing and tiling

9. Joinery and cabinetry

10. Internal finishes and painting

11. Fixtures, fittings and services fit-off

12. External works, landscaping and final detailing
     

Every project is different, but the focus remains the same throughout — quality workmanship, careful coordination and attention to the details that make the finished home what it is.

Step 14: Communication During Construction

We don’t expect you to spend the build wondering what’s happening behind the fence.

​

Throughout construction, we keep you informed with regular progress updates, scheduled site meetings, updated programs and progress photographs. We’ll also keep you ahead of upcoming selections and decisions and provide clear documentation for variations and progress claims.

​

If something changes, an issue arises or the program is affected, we communicate it early rather than waiting for you to ask.

​

We’ll also continue coordinating directly with your architect and consultants where required.

​

Good communication works both ways, and timely client decisions are an important part of keeping the construction program moving.

Step 15: Construction Completion Checklist

Before we invite you through for the practical completion inspection, we carry out our own comprehensive quality assurance check.

​

We go through the project room by room and trade by trade, looking closely at the workmanship, finishes, fixtures and details throughout the home.

​

If something isn’t up to our standard, we want to identify it and address it before the practical completion walkthrough — not wait for you to find it.

Step 16: Practical Completion Inspection

Once construction is substantially complete and the home is ready for its intended use, we’ll walk through the entire project with you.

​

Together, we inspect the finished work and document any minor outstanding or defective items that need attention.

We also test and commission the major systems relevant to your home, which may include:
 

• Electrical and lighting

• Plumbing and hot-water systems

• Air conditioning and ventilation

• Appliances

• Security and access systems

• Pool equipment

• Irrigation and automated systems
   

It’s a detailed walkthrough designed to make sure everything is finished, functioning and ready for handover.

Step 17: Completion of Outstanding Items

Following the practical completion inspection, we work through any outstanding items and prepare the property for handover.

​

That includes completing minor rectification work, final cleaning, removing remaining construction materials and temporary facilities, and finalising the required compliance documentation.

​

We want the home you receive at handover to feel finished — not almost finished.

Step 18: Completion & Handover

This is the part everyone has been working towards.

Once the project has reached practical completion and the required documentation is in place, we meet you at the property for handover.
 

We’ll walk you through the completed home, explain its systems, fixtures and ongoing care requirements, and provide the relevant handover information, including:
 

• Keys and access devices

• Warranties and product information

• Compliance certificates

• Operating instructions

• Maintenance information

• Final approvals and relevant project records
   

Then, finally, the home is yours to enjoy.

Step 19: Post-Handover Support

Handing over the keys doesn’t mean our involvement suddenly ends.

​

Once you’ve moved in and started living in the home, questions can come up and there may be small items that need attention. We remain available to assist and manage legitimate defects or maintenance items throughout the contractual defects-liability period.

​

We built the home, and we continue to stand behind it after you move in.

Step 20: Three-Month Check-In

Around three months after handover, we’ll get back in touch and return to the property for a full defects check — whether you’ve raised anything with us or not.

​

Some things only become apparent once a home has been lived in and experienced through everyday use.

We’ll walk through it with you, identify anything that needs attention and arrange for legitimate defects to be addressed.

​

Because for us, finishing the build properly includes what happens after you get the keys.