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An interactive comparison platform for home buyers to evaluate builders, plans, and inclusions in their region side-by-side.

How long does it take to build a house in Australia?

A standard single-storey project home typically takes 6–9 months from slab to handover. A double-storey home takes 9–14 months. Custom builds can take 12–18 months or longer. Weather, material shortages, trade availability and council approvals can cause delays. Your contract should specify a construction timeframe — typically 180–280 days for a standard home.

Can I visit the site during construction?

Most builders allow site visits at defined stages (after slab, after frame, at lock-up and at practical completion). Some builders also allow scheduled site meetings with the site supervisor. For safety and insurance reasons, you typically can't visit the site unannounced or outside of scheduled visits. Discuss site visit arrangements with your builder.

What happens if construction is delayed?

Delays can occur due to weather, material shortages, trade availability or council issues. Your contract should specify the construction timeframe and a liquidated damages clause (compensation for delays). If the builder is late without a valid reason, you may be entitled to compensation. If delays are due to circumstances beyond the builder's control (weather, material shortages), the timeframe may be extended.

Should I hire a private building inspector?

Many buyers hire a private building inspector for stage inspections (frame stage and practical completion are the most common). An inspector costs $400–$800 per inspection but can identify defects you might miss. For a standard home, frame and PCI inspections are recommended. For a custom or complex build, consider inspections at every stage. See our Construction Stage Inspections guide.

What's the defect liability period?

The defect liability period (also called the maintenance period or warranty period) is the time after handover during which the builder must rectify defects at no cost. The standard period is typically 3–6 months for non-structural defects. Structural warranties are longer — typically 6–7 years in most Australian states. Check your contract for the specific period and terms.

Building Process & Construction Stages — Guide for Australian Home Buyers

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Building Process & Construction Stages

Your complete learning centre for the construction process. Understand each stage, what to inspect, how to communicate with your builder, and what to do if things go wrong.

10 guides 3 categories Independent & builder-neutral

Building a new home follows a defined process with five major stages — from pouring the slab to practical completion. Understanding what happens at each stage, what to inspect, how long it takes and how to communicate with your builder helps you stay informed, catch issues early and ensure your home is built to standard. This learning centre brings together independent, builder-neutral guides on every stage of construction.

Featured Guides

Start here — the most important reads in this learning centre

The Construction Process

3 guides

Stage-by-Stage Inspections

5 guides

Handover & After

2 guides

Handover Process Explained

What happens at handover, keys, warranties and defects.

5 min read

Construction Stage Inspections

When to book inspections, what each covers and costs.

5 min read

Helpful Checklists

Practical Completion Checklist

Comprehensive PCI inspection checklist.

Pre-Contract Checklist

Confirm construction details before signing.

All Checklists

Browse every checklist on Compare My Build.

Related Learning Centres

Contracts, Finance & Costs Inspections, Defects & Handover Siteworks & External Energy Efficiency & Smart Home Building Guides Defects & Inspections Hub Checklists Product Guides

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Inspections, Defects & Handover

Understand the inspection process, common defects, warranty claims and how to ensure your new home is built to standard — from frame stage inspections to the final handover.

Explore Inspections, Defects & Handover Compare Builders Free

Building Process & Construction Stages

Featured Guides

Construction Stages Explained

Frame Stage: What to Check

Communicating With Your Builder