Questions to Ask Before Signing a Building Contract
Most buyer regret happens after signing. These questions — asked before you commit — can save you tens of thousands of dollars and months of stress.
Why Most Buyers Don't Ask Enough Questions
The sales process for new homes is designed to create momentum. Display homes, lifestyle imagery, and limited-time offers all push buyers toward signing quickly. But a building contract is a legal document worth $300,000–$700,000 or more — and once signed, your options to change it are limited and expensive.
The questions below are what informed, experienced buyers ask before committing. Most are simple. Some will make your sales consultant uncomfortable. All of them are worth asking.
Watch Out
Compare Builder Inclusions Before You Visit
Know what each builder includes as standard — before you walk into a display home.
Inclusions & Specifications
- 1Can you provide a full written inclusions list for this quote?
- 2What ceiling height is included — and what does it cost to upgrade?
- 3Are stone benchtops included, or is that an upgrade?
- 4What flooring is included in the base price?
- 5Is air conditioning included, and if so, what type?
- 6What is the appliance specification — brands, sizes, fuel type?
- 7Is the facade shown in the display included, or is it a premium option?
- 8Are soft-close drawers and hinges included throughout?
Site Costs
- 1Are site costs included in this quote, or separate?
- 2Have you done a soil test or reviewed my survey? What soil classification is assumed?
- 3What is the estimated site cost for my block?
- 4Are there retaining walls required, and are they in the contract?
- 5What are the connection costs for power, water, sewer, and NBN?
- 6Who is responsible for council and DA fees?
Contract & Pricing
- 1Is this a fixed-price contract — what is and isn't fixed?
- 2What are the provisional sum items, and what are they estimated at?
- 3Under what conditions can the builder increase the price after signing?
- 4What is the payment schedule — deposit, progress payments, final payment?
- 5Is there a cooling-off period after signing?
- 6What happens if materials are substituted — do I have approval rights?
Build Timeline
- 1What is the estimated construction start date?
- 2What is the estimated completion or handover date?
- 3What delays can affect the timeline, and how are they communicated?
- 4How many homes is your supervisor managing simultaneously?
- 5How frequently can I visit the site during construction?
Warranty & After Handover
- 1What structural warranty do you provide, and for how many years?
- 2What is the waterproofing warranty period?
- 3What is the defects liability period after handover?
- 4How do I report defects, and what is your response time?
- 5Is home warranty insurance (HWI/HBC) included and who issues it?
- 6Do you provide a practical completion inspection (PCI)?
Tip
Compare Builder Inclusions Side-by-Side
See exactly what's included across builders in your region — before you sign anything.
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