FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The land or lot on which you build your new home will likely be the most expensive part. In terms of the actual construction, both the foundations and framing elements are pricey. This is because skilled labourers and a large amount of material is required to set good foundations for the rest of the build. Major plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems are pricey too, well fitted systems by experts is very important. Then you have windows and doors, interior fitouts and exterior finishes. These three components can fluctuate dramatically in cost depending on the client’s budget, quality expectations and aesthetic desires.

It is understandable that as a client, you may wish to negotiate the costs of your new build quote with your chosen company. This may be acceptable in some cases. We advise being very clear with your budget when you first approach your builder so there are no surprises when you receive the initial quote. At HF Constructions, we try where possible to adapt your budget limitations to the design and construct without compromising on quality.

Feel free to browse our detailed ‘process’ information. If you’d like to discuss how we can make your new build experience a stress-free one, get in touch.

This is best done with some guidance. By going through your list of requirements for your new home in conjunction with information about the land size, orientation, state of the site at present and other basic details with a building professional, an estimate can be calculated. Given that building a home is a large investment, the expert you talk to will be able to break down the various expenditure items for you to have a think about. The process of ironing out your design and construction plan is all part of achieving a great outcome. HF Constructions can provide valuable advice at the early stage of your project.

The goal from a proprietor’s point of view should be, how to get the best value for money when building a new home. Frankly, this comes down to the expertise, innovation and budget acumen the selected designer and builder demonstrates. HF Constructions provides a commercial mindset in cost planning for domestic, high end builds. This rewards the client with true budget optimisation from start to finish.

Design and construction of a new home in Melbourne will cost in excess of $250K at entry level. Some architecturally designed larger homes can cost into the millions of dollars. It is very subjective and depends on size, layout, materials and more. HF Constructions has successfully crafted homes on tight budgets as well as first-class high-end homes with ‘wow’ factor. Feel free to get in touch today to see how we can help get your project underway.

When building a new house, you should seek professional builder and design advice at the infancy stage. This may mean prior to purchasing the land or the home site you wish to build on. When HF Constructions is involved early on, the entire project goes smoother because each stage can be accounted for from start to finish. If you first get an independent architect to draw up plans for you, a builder may need to make changes based on feasibility, functionality or material considerations and this can waste time in the planning stage.

Features that seem to be ideal upgrades in a new home in Melbourne are things like; smart automation, landscaping with irrigation, timber flooring, double glazed windows and any ‘green’ environmentally friendly upgrades. Feel free to discuss your vision with HF Constructions for advice about your budget allowance for special features within your new home build.

New builds are appealing because they can encompass all the mod-cons at the time of build to give your home a modern lifestyle offering. If you choose not to live in your new home and rent it out as an investment property, it is likely you will yield a good rental amount. Tenants are always willing to pay more for new properties, especially in areas with local facilities nearby.

There are many design and build companies in Melbourne who may seem overpriced in their new home cost estimate but you should feel comfortable with your selected company to query the quote. HF Constructions are extremely transparent when it comes to quoting a new home design and build. The price will vary depending on whether you seek your own architect or use the in-house architects at HF Constructions. Choosing a complete design and construction service at HF Constructions will save you time and money as the process is streamlined.

Often, new construction permits are straightforward. This is because an expert builder will be able to prepare plans that conform to updates building code to avoid any hiccups. If you are considering a new home build, talk to the team at HF Constructions for advice regarding the ease of which approval could be achieved.

Kitchens really are the heart of the home. Now more than ever HF Constructions are finding that people would choose to renovate their kitchen as top priority. It is important to consider if any of your appliances and fittings could be used within the renovation to save on costs. Kitchen renovations generally start at $15-$20K but to achieve a truly custom and spacious kitchen, you are likely to go well above that amount. Custom joinery and appliances are one of the biggest expenses to factor in.

A bathroom renovation in Melbourne is a common area of focus for those looking to gain more space and add luxury to the home. Whether it is a master ensuite, a family bathroom or a powder room renovation, bathroom renovations can start at $15,000 for a quality job. Of course, if are completely re tiling, adding bathtubs and refitting old plumbing, you may be looking at a higher cost per bathroom. Many clients at HF Constructions felt that there was a higher value proposition when renovating multiple bathrooms at once as the tradespeople were scheduled and buying fittings in multiples allowed for bulk discounts. Of course, doing more than one wet area during a renovation allows for a uniform aesthetic throughout the home.

This is a personal choice. Once you have a clear vision of your renovation requirements, it is best to consult with a builder for a cost estimation. The team at HF Constructions prides itself on providing comprehensive quotes which factor in all of your must-haves. Understanding the importance of balancing your renovation budget between merging the old with the new is something we can help with.

The duration of a home renovation from start to finish varies depending on the scale of the renovation. If there is a lot of structural work, or extension elements, the project may take some extra weeks or months. Often, the planning and documentation phase can take up a large portion of the project, so having an expert builder on side, who knows the process well, can fast track this stage. Custom kitchens and fit outs may incur longer waits as perfecting joinery work can take time. Allow 3 to 9 months for a typical renovation.

It is understandable why people question the high cost of a quality renovation. If you choose to use master builders in conjunction with an architect when renovating, you are paying for expert knowledge and quality execution. Lasting quality requires high level skills. Renovating a home is something you would likely to do once, and getting it right is best done with the professionals at HF Constructions.

Labour and supply costs do not tend to fluctuate too much. Your best way to reduce renovation costs is to hire a company who has experience in optimising client funds to achieve an excellent look and feel. Choosing HF Constructions guarantees both efficiency and expert quality of work which to optimise your budget.

Costs for renovation works are based on the supply and materials as well as labour costs. There is an art to drawing up a viable budget to suit the client’s requirements. HF Constructions are apt at providing comprehensive quote breakdowns and helping clients to understand the way money is dispersed for their renovation.

For single room renovations such as a bathroom, living room or kitchen, a renovation generally costs in excess of $15K. For multiple room renovations with budget allocations to tie the old wit the new, you can expect to pay in excess of $80K. The costs associated with renovations are supply/material costs and labour costs. An expert, creative building team can actually save you money on your renovation by working more efficiently and suggesting various options to achieve your goals. HF Constructions specialise in stretching our client’s renovation budgets as far as possible and to allocate funds to the most necessary areas; both for aesthetic pleasure as well as functional home living.

This is a very common question. The answer often comes down to personal priorities. People who choose to renovate, usually do so because they love where they live and are, for the most part, happy with the general façade and core layout of their home. A new home build provides value for money in a different way, because everything will be new and warranties both on structure and internal fittings will be under some type of warranty. The scope of works for a renovation will determine whether it is cheaper to renovate or build new home, but generally a renovation does come in cheaper in the short term.

The design and planning stage is the first step. It is best to pay for professional advice during this stage to ensure feasibility and relevant building insight. Once design has been locked in and permits approved if needed, the sequence of a typical renovation begins with any demolition and structural fixture changes. The internal work is organised from the highest point to the lowest. This means, roof and ceilings to walls and internal fixtures down to floors at the end. A practical reason for this is so that no damage to new (and likely expensive) flooring will occur. Work is also generally arranged by grouping the trades, rather than room by room.

You can choose to live in your home whilst a renovation is taking place. Of course, if the renovation is large scale, especially including areas such as your kitchen and living zones, staying in your home can prove very inconvenient. At HF Constructions we often advise homeowners who are planning to renovate, to move into temporary accommodation such as a short term rental, or with extended family during this time. This is because works can be more swiftly undertaken if no one is living in the home, allowing tradespeople to move easily around the home with no interference.

There is a very clear document provided by the VBA (Victorian Building Authority) which outlines which home improvements need a permit. Have a browse https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/99377/PN-32-When-is-a-building-permit-required.pdf

If you are in breech of the law around obtaining a relevant permit, substantial fines can be enforced on the proprietor. HF Constructions strongly recommends consulting a professional before undertaking any home upgrades or internal renovations to ensure you are following the correct legal process.

There are definitive rules that govern construction work in Victoria. If a ‘new opening’ such a door or window is part of your plans, you will need to attain a building permit. Remodelling of internal fittings, with no change to structures may not require a building permit. Once you have your plans ready, it is best to consult with a builder to determine whether a permit is required.

Experienced builders will follow a particular renovation process to ensure that each stage is completed before moving on. Adhering to building codes, preparing necessary documentation, ironing out specifications for the renovation, ensuring sufficient budget allocations all come in to play before the actual build begins. At HF Constructions, our attention to detail at the early stages will ensure time and cost savings during the construction phase.

The best first step when considering a renovation or extension is to have a consultation with a professional builder with design capabilities. From here, your vision can be discussed and feasibility, budget, timeline and other important aspects of the process can be determined. HF Constructions offers in-house design and master builder expertise to ensure a renovation or extension project will meet your objections; aesthetically, functionally and financially.