Before getting started, it’s helpful for us to know a bit about what you’d like to build. If you have any of the following ready, please send them through:

• Site survey (we can get this later if you haven’t had one prepared yet)
• Photos of your site (so we can see if there are trees/powerlines etc that may impact our access)
• Design ideas (e.g. your concept plan if you have one, or if there’s one of our example plans you like, or how many bedrooms/bathrooms/storeys you’re looking to build)
• Timelines (how soon you’re ready to start and when you’d like to be living in your new home)

At this stage we’ll go and inspect your site to evaluate access, site conditions and if our concrete panels will work with your site. We like to do this inspection early on so we can let you know up front if our system will work with your site.

To prepare an estimate for you, we first need a concept plan. There are three options for preparing a concept plan:

1. Your Plan – if you’ve already had a concept plan prepared by an architect, we can use this to give you an estimate of building costs. If your architect didn’t design for precast, there may be some plan modifications required to accommodate precast walls being slightly thicker than brick.
2. Our Plans – one of our example plans may suit your site and lifestyle (and we can accommodate modifications to the internal layout if required). If this is the case, we can quickly determine the likely site costs that will apply in addition to the listed price.
3. Custom Plan – we can work with you to prepare a custom design that suits your lifestyle. If you don’t have a preferred architect, we can connect you with one who is familiar with precast design.

Once your concept plan is done, we can give you an estimate (which will be based on our standard level of inclusions).

At this stage you’ll get to meet with our suppliers to select the finishes and features you’d like in your new home. Our standard level of inclusions gives you an allowance for items such as kitchen joinery, tiles etc so you can choose which will work best in your new home. Of course, we’re also happy to accommodate any requests to quote on a higher level of inclusions.

Once you have agreed on your concept plan and made your selections we can then give you a quote. At this stage we’ll also ask you to provide us with a Soil Class Certificate and Site Survey.

Once we have given you a quote you will be able to give it to your finance lender for pre-approval. They will let you know what they need to proceed with approving your construction loan. If you don’t already have a mortgage broker, we’re happy to connect you with someone who can help get your finance approved.

Once your lender has given you pre-approval, we will prepare a fixed building contract for you to sign and give to your lender so they can issue you a loan approval letter.

Once you provide us with a copy of your loan approval letter, the development and building approvals process can commence. At this stage, a full set of DA drawings needs to be submitted to council, which is typically done by the architect. Depending on whether your plans meet the development application (DA) approval exemption criteria (your architect can advise), there are two paths this can take:

1. Complying Development: this is usually approved within 2–3 weeks
2. Non-Complying: this is likely to take a minimum of 4 months for approval

Once we have received all relevant approvals, our engineer then begins the structural drawings. Typically this will be completed within 2–3 weeks.

Once the structural drawings have been finalised, we will commence manufacturing the precast concrete panels ready for delivery. This process usually takes 3–4 weeks.

While the panels are being made we are able to start cutting your site and getting it prepared for the installation of the panels. For a standard site (i.e. a fairly level block with easy access) it typically takes 1 day to cut the site and install the engineered pad system (more difficult blocks could be 2 days). Once the pads are completed, precast can be installed in nearly any weather conditions (unlike traditional construction methods where bad weather can delay construction timeframes by weeks).