Designed to deliver
Building a new
home
can be a complex journey, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
From your first consultation to key handover, this guide outlines every step of the Boutique Homes building process, so you know what to expect, when to expect it and who’s with you along the way.
Meet your team of experts
A lot happens along the journey, but your dedicated team of specialists will guide you through the process.
Pre-construction
New Homes Consultant
Your first point of contact, guiding you through floorplans, facades and personalisation. They can also help you find land and prepare a complete home and land package. Arriving with a clear vision of your ideas, preferences and priorities ensures every detail is captured, enhancing your experience and creating a seamless path.
Home Loan Specialist
Our in-house team at Resolve Finance can review options from a wide panel of lenders to help you find the right home loan.
Customer Experience Coordinator (Pre-Construction)
Your go-to person from contract signing through to site start. They coordinate planning, approvals and keep you updated every step of the way.
Construction Customer Experience Coordinator (Construction)
Your main contact throughout the build. They’ll keep you informed on progress and assist with any questions, all the way to key handover.
Site Manager
Manages all onsite activity, including the coordination and supervision of trades and suppliers. Site Managers are happy to provide their contact details – please reach out during business hours: Monday to Friday, 7.30am–4.30pm.
Regional Construction Manager
Ensures the highest standards are met across all builds within their region. They oversee quality assurance and ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and timelines.
Warranties Warranty Site Manager & Administrator
Supports you during your 12-Month Maintenance Warranty period. They’ll conduct your inspection if required, and help resolve any warranty-related concerns efficiently.
Working closely with your New Homes Consultant to find your ideal home, land and finance solutions tailored specifically to you.
One-on-One Consultation
Your New Homes Consultant will listen closely to your needs, helping you select a home design or Home and Land Package perfectly aligned with your lifestyle, preferences and budget.
Set Your Budget
Our in-house mortgage brokers at Resolve Finance will assess your borrowing capacity and help secure the ideal home loan from a wide range of banks and exclusive lenders. Even if you already have a lender in mind, our obligation-free finance health check could uncover a better deal for you.
Locate Your Land
Through strong partnerships with Victoria’s leading land developers, we offer exclusive, land options across various communities. We can help identify the ideal block for you and customise home and land packages to suit your preferred budget, lifestyle and location.
Choose Your Home
Explore the quality inclusions standard in every home. Personalise your home with popular design options and elevate it further with our curated selection of upgrade finishes and fixtures. Choose from six professionally designed colour schemes tailored to complement your facade and interiors.
Fixed Pricing, Upfront
Receive an upfront, fixed-price New Home Proposal that includes all site costs and your selected options, eliminating uncertainty and surprises. Secure this pricing with an initial $2,500 deposit.
Your home buying checklist
Key steps to guide you through the important decisions during your sales stage with your New Homes Consultant.
Design Guidelines
Ensure your Preliminary Works Contract (PWC) includes all estate developer requirements, such as roof profiles, preferred colours and corner block treatments.
Preliminary Works Contract (PWC)
Be sure to discuss and document all your must-haves with your New Home Consultant. These details should be reflected in your Preliminary Works Contract (PWC) to ensure your vision is fully captured from the start. Review your fixed-price PWC, clearly outlining all costs, including site-specific details and developer guidelines, no surprises down the track.
Deposit
Secure your fixed pricing and contract initiation with your initial deposit of $2,500. Provide finance pre-approval or consult our in-house Resolve Finance team.
Feedback
Share your feedback on the sales process and experience via our brief customer satisfaction survey. Your comments help us continually enhance our service.
Preparing for construction
Your dedicated Customer Experience Coordinator (Pre-Construction) will guide you step-by-step through the essential preparations for building your home, including finalising plans and selections.
Appointment
booking
Our Administration team will contact you to schedule your HIA Contract Appointment, outlined in your What To Expect document.
My Building Hub
Access all documentation, plans, contracts, and specifications via our convenient online platform. Receive contact details for every important team member and stay updated throughout your build.
Contract preparation
Your Customer Experience Coordinator will stay in touch regularly. You'll receive your contract and plans one week before signing. Ensure you understand its contents clearly, seeking legal advice if needed.
Review sample HIA contract
Familiarise yourself with the HIA Contract provided at your PWC signing and via email one week prior to your signing appointment. Ensure you understand its contents clearly, seeking legal advice if needed.
HIA contract signing
Conducted virtually by your Customer Experience Coordinator (Pre-Construction), this appointment takes approximately 1.5 hours. All signatories must attend and the deposit balance is due within 7 days.
Obtain formal finance
Submit your signed HIA Contract, deposit receipts and any variations to your lender or broker to finalise your formal finance approval.
Pay Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
If applicable, pay the CIL directly to your local council and provide proof of payment to your Customer Experience Coordinator (Pre-Construction).
Obtaining approvals
Untitled land
Please note that if your land is not yet titled after completing your HIA contract appointment, you will be introduced to the Customer Experience hub, a team who will be able to handle your enquiry until your land titles.
Titled land
Once your land title has been issued, our team will be able to begin applying for and obtaining the relevant approvals outlined below.
Order Property Service Information
• Order Soil and Survey Reports
• Notify you if a Community Infrastructure Levy is required
• Developer Approval
• Council-approved plans/town planning (if required)
Developer approval
Our Drafting team will submit your updated plans and colour selections to the developer for approval, managing any required changes along the way. As developers make the final decision, rejections can occur, but if they do, we’ll work quickly to find a resolution that meets their requirements and aligns with your vision.
Energy and engineering
We ensure your home meets a 7-Star energy rating and all applicable engineering standards.
Check boundary pegs
Visit your block prior to settlement to verify boundary pegs are visible and correctly placed, ensuring accurate construction positioning. If the boundary pegs are missing or not visible, you may be required to obtain a Re-establishment Survey before construction begins.
Confirm land settlement
Provide written confirmation of your land settlement from your solicitor or conveyancer as official proof of ownership.
Confirm formal finance
Submit signed mortgage documents or evidence of available funds if self-funded, confirming unconditional financial approval.
Sign final plans
Conduct a detailed final review of your plans against your contract and variations. This step confirms the final reference for construction, with no further changes allowed.
Clear block
Prepare your block to avoid construction delays by ensuring it is cleared of debris, vegetation is trimmed, and fencing is removed where required.
Provide Pre-Construction feedback
Share your valuable insights through our satisfaction survey once pre-construction concludes. Your feedback helps us continually improve our service.
Final plan review
Your Customer Experience Coordinator (Pre-Construction) will send you your final plans for review and signing after checking thoroughly that they reflect your HIA contract and colour schedule. Review carefully, this marks your last review before site commencement.
Please note: this is not an opportunity to make further changes; rather, it is a chance to review all documentation prior to site start.
Building permit & scheduling
Our team arranges building permits and orders materials, preparing everything needed for construction to begin.
Construction handover
Now that all of your pre-construction steps are complete, the exciting time has come where your build is handed over to our construction team to begin the build phase.
Construction taking shape
Now all the planning comes together and it’s time to start building your new home.
Site start
Your Customer Experience Coordinator (Construction) will contact you with the exciting news of your build commencement date and introduce your Site Manager, who will oversee all onsite activities, coordinate trades and ensure everything progresses smoothly.
Progress meetings
Your build is structured into four key stages: Frame, Lockup, Fixing and Completion. At each of these milestones, you'll have scheduled opportunities to meet your Site Manager onsite, inspect progress and discuss any questions.
Stage 1 Site Manager
Because we pride ourselves on quality workmanship, we have Site Managers who specifically oversee the first vital stage of construction. A dedicated Site Manager will oversee the critical initial stage, coordinating all contractors until your slab is completed and approved.
Stage 2 Site Manager
Upon slab completion, you'll meet your dedicated Site Manager for Stage 2, who will manage the remainder of the construction process, ensuring smooth progression.
Site visits
You're welcome to visit your build during business hours by appointment with your Customer Experience Coordinator (Construction) or Site Manager, ensuring safety protocols are maintained.
Quality Control Inspections
An independent Building Surveyor and our quality control specialists will conduct regular inspections to ensure your home meets our exacting standards.
Independent inspections
Should you choose to arrange an independent inspector, please advise your Customer Experience Coordinator (Pre-Construction) which stage of the build they will be attending. Notification must be provided at least 48 hours in advance to allow us to coordinate access with your Site Manager.
Managing delays
Occasionally, weather or other unforeseen circumstances can cause delays. We'll proactively communicate and manage these to keep your build on track, ensuring you're always updated on any changes to your timeline.
Completion
Upon finishing construction, your Customer Experience Coordinator (Construction) will schedule a meeting onsite with your Site Manager to present your completed home. This meeting allows you to address any final concerns before key handover.
Key handover
The moment you've been waiting for – receiving your keys. Key handover appointments are organised Monday to Friday, between 8am and 3pm, either onsite at your home or at our Docklands office, depending on availability.
Please note: your lender might conduct a final inspection prior to releasing the final payment. We are only able to raise your final invoice after receiving your Occupancy Permit. Allow up to 10 working days for the final payment to clear and please be mindful of these timeframes when planning your move-in date.
Feedback
You'll receive an email inviting you to complete a short survey about your construction experience. Your valuable feedback helps us continually enhance our services and customer care.
Boutique Homes referral program
Your home is now complete, why not share the joy with friends and family? Our referral program rewards you when someone you refer chooses to build their home with Boutique Homes.
Visit BoutiqueHomes.com.au/refer-friend to find out more and refer your friends and family directly online.
For
your peace of mind
Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your new home is supported by a dedicated, experienced Warranties team, ready to assist with any warranty-related questions or concerns during your 12-month Maintenance Warranty period.
Commencement of your warranty period
Your 12-month Maintenance Warranty period officially begins at key handover. By this time, you will have completed your New Home Presentation with your Site Manager, during which you confirm that your home meets your expectations. We recommend preparing any questions prior to this meeting, so all queries are addressed before final sign-off.
Your Home Care Guide
Upon receiving the keys to your new home, you'll be provided with a comprehensive Welcome Home pack and a digital copy of your Home Care Guide. This guide details warranty periods specific to your home’s features and provides valuable tips on maintaining your property. Please read it thoroughly to understand your coverage and ensure the best care for your home.
Should you have questions or require assistance after handover, our Warranties team is readily available via email at warranty@abngroup.com.au
Moving into your new home
We understand the excitement that comes with moving in, landscaping, furnishing, and transforming your new house into a home. Please keep in mind, warranties do not cover general wear and tear, or accidental damage caused after handover. Take particular care when moving furniture and belongings, as any scratches, chips, or damage caused during this process will not be covered by your warranty.
12-Month maintenance warranty guarantee
Our ongoing commitment is to uphold the highest industry standards, conducting regular inspections and adhering strictly to building codes and guidelines throughout your build. When it comes to your warranty period, we remain dedicated to ensuring your home continues to perform as intended.
If any item is identified as a builder’s defect according to industry guidelines, or any feature of your home does not function as intended during your warranty period, we guarantee to rectify the issue at no cost to you.
12-month inspection
All new homes experience a natural ‘settling-in’ period, during which minor adjustments might be required. As you approach your home’s first anniversary, our Warranty Site Manager will perform a thorough inspection to identify and address any areas needing attention. Simply contact your Warranty Administrator ahead of your 12-month anniversary to schedule this inspection and ensure your home remains at its best.
Share your feedback
After your 12-month inspection, you'll receive an email inviting you to complete a short feedback survey about your warranty experience. Your insights help us continually improve our service.
Important note: Only ABN Group Victoria-approved trades and suppliers are authorised to assess and carry out warranty-related repair works. Any external professional trade, supplier or manufacturer assessments or repairs on any part of the property, fixtures or fittings may void warranty claims. Any related charges will not be paid by ABN Group Victoria.
Glossary of terms
A glossary of key building terms to help you make informed choices with confidence.
Building permit
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) (newly added)
Developer guidelines
Final plans
Footings
HIA (Housing Industry Association)
House settlement
New Home Contract
Preliminary Works Contract (PWC)
Progress payments
Re-establishment survey
Official approval granted by a registered Building Surveyor, confirming your construction drawings, specifications and engineering meet all relevant building codes and regulations.
A fee sometimes required by local councils to fund community facilities and services in new developments. If applicable, this must be paid directly to your local council before construction begins.
Specific requirements set by land developers, which may include eave size, setbacks, or colour schemes. Your New Homes Consultant will ensure your home selections comply with these guidelines before obtaining developer approval.
The official set of construction drawings reflecting all agreed-upon changes and selections. Once signed by you, these become part of your New Home Contract.
Structural elements, typically made of concrete, that support your home. Note that footings differ from foundations, which refer to the underlying ground that supports your home’s footings.
Australia’s official industry body representing residential builders and professionals involved in home construction.
The stage when the final payment has been made to the builder. At settlement, keys, compliance certificates and warranty documentation are formally handed over to you.
The legally binding agreement between you (the owner) and Boutique Homes, outlining the terms, final plans, pricing and conditions relating to the construction of your home.
An initial agreement detailing items and options selected prior to preparing your New Home Contract. It ensures your chosen selections and site-specific costs are clearly defined upfront.
Scheduled payments due at specific stages throughout construction, as detailed in your HIA contract. These payments are typically required upon completion of major milestones, including slab, frame, lock-up, fixing and final completion.
A survey conducted by a licensed surveyor to verify the correct position of boundary pegs on your land. Essential for accurate construction positioning, especially when building on boundaries.
Ready to Start (RTS)
Site manager
Warranty period
7-Star energy rating
The stage in your homebuilding process indicating that all pre-construction requirements have been completed and your project is ready to move into construction.
Your dedicated onsite supervisor responsible for overseeing trades, managing day-to-day construction activities, and ensuring quality and safety throughout the build.
The 12-month timeframe following key handover, during which Boutique Homes will rectify any builder’s defects or issues arising under your warranty agreement at no additional cost.
A mandatory rating reflecting the energy efficiency of your home design. Boutique Homes ensures all new homes meet a minimum 7-star rating for enhanced comfort and sustainability.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions answered, so you can feel informed and confident every step of the way.
What is a land title?
A land title is a legal certificate that confirms ownership of a specific parcel of land. In new estates, land often starts as a larger tract, typically farmland, which is subdivided by a developer.
To obtain individual titles, the developer must complete civil works, gain relevant authority approvals and obtain a Statement of Compliance from the council. Once issued, this is submitted to the Titles Office, where individual titles are formally created.
When can I make changes to my home?
You can personalise your home before signing your Preliminary Works Contract (PWC), including your choice of facade and floorplan design options.
After signing the PWC, no structural or layout changes can be made to ensure your pricing remains fixed. However, you’ll still personalise your interiors during your colour selection and electrical appointments.
What is considered a structural change?
A structural change includes any modification that impacts your home's core design, such as its layout, engineering, or energy rating. For this reason, structural changes are only allowed prior to signing your PWC.
How long does it take to build my home?
Pre-construction (Titled Land)
Deposit to Contract Signing: 6–8 weeks
• Contract Signing to Ready to Start (RTS): 12 weeks
Note: Untitled land may result in longer timelines, depending on title release dates and required approvals.
Construction
• Single-storey homes: 260 days
• Double-storey homes: 290 days
Timeframes may vary based on site conditions and weather.
When do my contract days begin?
Your construction timeframe, as outlined in your HIA contract, officially begins on the date of your site cut.
What payments are required?
Pre-construction payments
$2,500 at PWC signing
• 5% deposit at New Home Contract signing (less the $2,500 already paid)
• 2.5% deposit for Resolve Finance customers
Can I supply my own products or hire my own trades?
No. To maintain our quality standards, ensure warranty compliance, and uphold insurance and safety requirements, all products and trades must be sourced and coordinated by Boutique Homes. This guarantees a seamless experience and delivery within our agreed timeframes.
Will I receive a confirmed completion date?
We aim to keep your build on schedule, but factors like weather and material supply can cause delays. For this reason, your Site Manager will confirm your final completion date closer to the end of construction. You'll receive fortnightly updates from your Site Manager and weekly updates from your Customer Experience Coordinator (Construction).
Who pays for gas, electricity and water during construction?
As the landowner, you’re responsible for gas and water usage costs throughout the build. Boutique Homes cover the cost of electricity during construction.
