Builder's Tips from Over 50 Years in the Construction Industry

Building a new home is one of the biggest financial investments you'll ever make. Yet one of the most common mistakes I see homeowners make is spending thousands of dollars before they even know what their home will actually cost to build.

After more than 50 years in the building industry and being involved in the construction of over 500 homes, I've learned that the biggest savings are often made long before construction begins.

Here are some of the best ways you can potentially save $20,000 or more before your builder even starts work.

1. Get at Least Three Builder Quotes

Never accept the first quotation you receive.

Builders can vary dramatically in price, even when quoting from the same plans.

I've seen differences of:

• $15,000
• $40,000
• Even over $100,000

for exactly the same home.

Always compare multiple builders before making your decision.

2. Compare What's Included—Not Just the Price

The cheapest quote isn't always the cheapest build.

Ask questions like:

✔ Is site excavation included?

✔ Are council fees included?

✔ Are floor coverings included?

✔ Is painting included?

✔ Are retaining walls included?

✔ Are driveways included?

✔ Is air conditioning included?

Many low quotes simply leave expensive items out.

3. Keep the Roof Simple

Every roof valley, hip, dormer and change in roof direction costs money.

Simple roofs:

• build faster
• require fewer materials
• reduce labour costs
• reduce waste

A straightforward roof design can save several thousand dollars.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Corners

Every external corner means:

• extra framing
• extra cladding
• extra plasterboard
• extra roofing
• more labour

Simple rectangular homes are usually much cheaper to build than complex floor plans.

5. Standardise Window Sizes

Large custom windows look fantastic—but they can quickly blow the budget.

Using standard window sizes often saves thousands while still giving your home a modern appearance.

6. Plan Before You Buy Construction Drawings

One of the biggest mistakes people make is purchasing full construction drawings before understanding their building budget.

Instead:

✔ Obtain builder quotations first

✔ Compare suppliers

✔ Review your budget

✔ Decide whether any design changes are needed

Only then move to full construction plans.

7. Price Major Materials Separately

Don't rely solely on your builder.

You can often request quotations for:

• Roof trusses
• Timber frames
• Windows
• Roofing
• Kitchens
• Steel
• Decking
• Concrete

Even if your builder supplies everything, separate pricing helps you understand where your money is going.

8. Think About Future Maintenance

Sometimes the cheapest product today becomes the most expensive over the next twenty years.

Consider:

• roofing materials
• cladding
• windows
• decking
• flooring

Choosing quality products can reduce maintenance costs significantly.

9. Design to Suit Your Land

Trying to force the wrong house onto the wrong block can be incredibly expensive.

Poor site selection can lead to:

• retaining walls
• additional excavation
• suspended slabs
• longer driveways
• drainage problems

Selecting a home that suits your site often saves tens of thousands of dollars.

10. Don't Overbuild

Many people design a home larger than they actually need.

Ask yourself:

Do you really need:

• a fourth living room?
• oversized bedrooms?
• huge hallways?
• excessive roof areas?

Every extra square metre adds to:

• construction cost
• flooring
• roofing
• heating
• cooling
• ongoing maintenance

Build what you'll actually use.

11. Make Design Changes Early

Changing your mind after engineering or council approval can become very expensive.

It's far cheaper to modify a concept design before the detailed drawings are completed.

12. Budget for the Hidden Costs

Many first-time builders forget about:

• Site survey
• Soil tests
• Engineering
• Energy reports
• Council fees
• Water connection
• Sewer connection
• Power connection
• Landscaping
• Fencing
• Driveways
• Letterboxes
• Clotheslines
• Window coverings

These items can easily add $30,000–$80,000 depending on your location.

The Smartest Money You'll Spend

The best builders don't simply build homes—they plan them properly.

That's exactly why we created our Build Cost Planning Pack.

Instead of rushing into expensive construction drawings, the Build Cost Planning Pack helps you:

✔ Compare builder quotations

✔ Obtain supplier pricing

✔ Estimate your total building costs

✔ Plan your budget with confidence

✔ Identify potential savings before construction begins

It provides the information needed to make informed decisions while avoiding costly surprises later in the project.

Final Builder's Tip

After five decades in the building industry, one lesson has remained constant:

The easiest money to save is before construction starts.

Once the slab is poured and the walls begin going up, every change becomes expensive.

Take the time to compare builders, understand your costs, and plan your project properly. A little preparation at the beginning can save many thousands of dollars and make the entire building journey far less stressful.

Planning to Build?

If you're thinking about building a new home, granny flat, acreage home, or investment property, start with one of our Build Cost Planning Packs.

They're specifically designed to help homeowners, owner-builders, investors, and builders estimate construction costs, compare quotes, and move forward with confidence before investing in full construction plans.