At Clarendon Homes, we strive to make your new house a home. With over four and a half decades of home building experience, we have refined the way we plan and build new homes to provide a better experience for each and every build. Before we can get you into your home, you will go through what is called a “build process”. Let’s take a look at Clarendon Homes’ current process, including what you can expect and what you’ll need to do. 

Tip: If you’re thinking of selling your existing home during the building process, you’ll need to line up accommodation. Short term rentals, friends or family are all great options. Currently renting? We recommend reviewing the dates of your lease - if you’re nearing the end of your agreement, discuss a month to month deal with your real estate agent or landlord.

Know how much you can borrow

It’s easy to get stuck right into the exciting part of building, choosing your favourite home designs and looking at house and land packages. While we also love this part, we encourage getting a thorough understanding of how much you can spend before getting attached to a design that may turn out to be unattainable. Start the process by securing your finances. 

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with the inside scoop on budgeting for your build here. Need personalised support? We always recommend chatting with the team at Australian Home Mortgage.

Visit a display home and settle on layout essentials

It’s one thing to see our designs on our website, and quite another to run your fingers over the benchtops, walk through the rooms and witness why Clarendon Homes still remains one of Australia’s favourite builders. Before exploring our display centres, consider the following: 

• Do you have land ready to go?
• Do single storey, double storey, or acreage designs appeal to you?
• How many bedrooms do you need?
• Are you a fan of multiple living areas?
• How many bathrooms with suit your family?
• How much space do you need in your garage?

After jotting down a few notes and ideas, speak to a Clarendon Homes consultant who will help you begin your building journey. Your answers will help guide our design recommendations, including any available house and land packages (should you also require land for your home). 

How Clarendon Homes can help you navigate land and lots

If you want to see how your favourite home design will fit your block, our team can show you how your chosen design would look on any block of land. You’ll need your disclosure plan, estate building guidelines and a setback table for the block of land to generate a site plan and a new home estimate. Not sure how to get this information? Our consultants can help you find out.

• Already own a block of land? We have an extensive range of floor plans, lifestyle options and façades available (not to mention inclusions and promotions) to help you define what your next chapter looks like.
• Looking to buy a block of land? We recommend talking to one of our consultants before you purchase your dream lot; we’re here to help you find a home design that suits your family’s living needs first, so you know what type of block you need. We may also be able to provide advice on the land before you purchase it, so you can potentially avoid any unnecessary costs and delays down the track.
• Want to simplify things? Explore how house and land packages work. We’ve tracked down desirable packages in Queensland’s emerging and established postcodes.
• Planning a knockdown rebuild? Clarendon Homes have the experience and expertise necessary to guide you through the process of your knockdown rebuild project. If you already own a property or are looking at buying one, contact us for an obligation free site assessment.

Sales estimate

After our consultants have worked with you to find a design to suit your lifestyle and needs, we’ll provide a detailed sales estimate for your new home, covering your chosen design, facade, inclusions, and current promotional offers. An initial deposit will be required upon approval of the sales estimate. This allows Clarendon Homes to conduct necessary soil testing and contour surveys on your land plot, determining the site works needed to build your home on your land. You’ll then receive your Preliminary Building Agreement. 

Preliminary Building Agreement

This document covers everything you've asked for your new home, including the necessary site works required for us to build on your land. Once everything is prepared, your New Home Consultant will schedule a meeting to review your proposed building agreement with you thoroughly. This is your chance to approve everything and suggest any changes before we move on to creating a building agreement, which is part of your official HIA contract. Use this opportunity to ensure everything is within your budget. At this point, we will require a small additional fee to confirm your approval and proceed with the contract.

Building Agreement and HIA contract

You’ll receive a Building Agreement along with an official HIA contract for your approval. This contract will include the working drawings and specifications for your new home. After you’ve carefully reviewed and approved your Building Agreement, we’ll lodge all necessary building applications with your council to get the build rolling. Keep an eye on your phone and email - you’ll receive a call from your assigned customer service consultant shortly after approving the contract. 

Before you sign: 

 Ensure all structural variations to your home have been included in your contract - changes are not permitted after this stage.

After you sign: 

 Liaise with your lender to ensure your final finance approval is not unnecessarily delayed.

 Pay 5% of your contract value as per your HIA contract.

 To avoid unnecessary delays in the construction of your home, check with your lender regarding their process of making progress payments.

Visit the Lifestyle Studio

Following contract approval and signing, our fantastic Lifestyle Studio Consultants will be in touch to make a time from your colour room appointment in Loganholme! Our team is on hand to translate your personal style into colours, finishes and fixtures, so every room, surface and detail reflects your lifestyle. After you’ve decided on all of the above, you’ll also attend dedicated appointments with Clarendon’s certified partners to receive more specialised guidance on the following important areas of your new home:

• Kitchen
• Air conditioning 
• Flooring
• Screens, blinds and shutters
• Lighting and electrical 

If you'd like to come to your Lifestyle Studio appointment with some ideas, revisit some of our display homes! It’s a great way to get a feel for the styles and vibes that might appeal to you.

Preparing for site commencement

Everyone wants a smooth planning stage. You can minimise road bumps by ensuring you have met the anticipated start date requirements. This is not your site start date, but a review where you’ll need to meet certain obligations for the build to progress according to the timelines in the contract.  

Remember: Your customer service consultant is here to guide you through the process and assist with all of your queries and questions.

A lot of planning goes into preparing a new home for construction, but once all that is out of the way and you see your new home physically coming to life, it makes it all the preparation worthwhile!

Site commencement

Clarendon Homes will provide you with a site commencement date once we have received all of the documentation outlined in your HIA contract. You’ll then be contacted by your site manager who will arrange an on-site meeting with you in the early stages of the construction of your home. 

You’ll receive weekly updates - via email and/or phone call - throughout the construction of your new home. Your main points of contact will be your dedicated customer service consultant and site manager, who will ensure you’re always up-to-date with every facet of the build.

While our role in your home has come to end on the week to week level, we’re always here to help if something should go wrong. Your new home comes loaded with numerous warranties, including our  Lifetime Structural Guarantee (we believe your home should stand issue-free for many years to come). As further evidence of our commitment to you, you’ll receive an email request from Clarendon five months following your official handover period,  to formally document any warranty items you would like addressed.

If something does pop up outside this period and you need to make a warranty claim, reach out to our warranty and service team - if your claim is approved, our team will organise the necessary repair works. 

Have a warranty question? Speak to one of our consultants today, or email [email protected] for more information.