What is Compare My Build?

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

What are the most important questions to ask a builder before signing?

The most important questions cover inclusions (what's standard vs upgrade), site costs (fixed or provisional), exclusions (driveway, flooring, landscaping), contract terms (variations, provisional sums, prime costs), timeline, and warranty. Our 20-question checklist covers all of these areas.

How can I tell what's standard and what's an upgrade at a display home?

Display homes are typically fully upgraded to showcase the builder's best work. Ask the sales consultant for a 'standard inclusions list' and compare it to what you see. Look for signs that indicate upgrades (e.g. 'display only' tags, upgraded benchtops, feature lighting, higher ceilings). Our display home guide provides a room-by-room checklist.

Why do builder quotes vary so much for the same design?

Builder quotes vary because each builder includes different items as standard, uses different materials and suppliers, has different site cost allowances, and includes different levels of finish. Two quotes for the same design can differ by $50,000 or more depending on what's included and what's excluded. Always compare quotes on total cost, not just the base price.

What's the most common mistake buyers make when choosing a builder?

The most common mistake is choosing the builder with the lowest base price without comparing what's included. A builder with a lower base price may exclude items that other builders include as standard (driveway, flooring, ducted AC), resulting in a higher total cost. Always compare on total cost, including all site costs, upgrades, and exclusions.

Building Tips — Questions to Ask and Mistakes to Avoid

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Building Tips

Questions to ask, mistakes to avoid, and the small decisions that save buyers thousands.

7 guides 3 categories Independent & builder-neutral

Practical, independent tips — from the questions to ask a builder before you sign, to what to look for at a display home and how to compare quotes. The small questions that save buyers thousands. This learning centre brings together the most practical, actionable advice for Australian home buyers, covering builder selection, display home visits, quote comparison, and the common mistakes that turn a dream build into a budget blowout.