Construction Process
Bendigo & Macedon
Construction Process
Our approach to delivering your new home.
Building a home is an exciting journey, and over the past 20 years we’ve developed a clear, proven process that helps make that journey smooth, enjoyable and stress-free. While you may have built before and perhaps followed a different approach - our refined process is designed specifically with our clients’ needs in mind. We kindly ask for your partnership in following each step, so together we can deliver the exceptional home and experience you deserve - a G.J. Gardner Home.
Communication Matters
What to expect throughout your build.
Site supervisor
Throughout the construction phase, your designated Site Supervisor will be your main point of contact. To avoid any confusion or miscommunication, clients are asked not to communicate directly with on-site contractors and to direct all enquiries through the Site Supervisor. Regular updates will be provided throughout the build to ensure you remain informed and confident in the progress.
Site supervisors can be contacted Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm, and due to the Site Supervisors on site commitments, responses may take up to 24 hours. If your request is urgent and outside of these hours, please contact our office on 5442 2300. Please respect these hours and maintain courteous communication at all times. We enforce a zerotolerance policy for any form of abuse.
We offer regular on-site meetings where your site supervisor will walk through the home with you, discuss progress, and address any questions or concerns.
Site Accessibility
Please ensure the block remains accessible for all trades to enter and carry out works as required.
Access to the site is restricted for safety reasons - clients or their representatives cannot enter the site without the site supervisor present, in line with OH&S requirements.
Water & Power
Please ensure that water and power are available and connected on-site so that works can proceed without delay. If mains water is not available, you (the client) will need to provide a water tank and pump. If power is unavailable, you (the client) will also need to supply a 6 kVA generator.
Appointments & Walkthroughs
We encourage attendance at all key appointments throughout your build, including:
• Bourke’s Kitchens appointment (held at the Bourke’s Kitchens office, not on site) at frame stage to review all joinery in detail with the cabinet maker.
• On-site electrical walkthrough to confirm lighting, powerpoints, switch placement, and all client-supplied electrical items. Clientsupplied electrical items must be discussed with your contract administrator before purchasing, ideally in writing. This will also be discussed in your Showroom and Electrical Appointment.
Please bring the client supplied electrical items or printed product specifications to the walkthrough to ensure that we have all of the necessary information. Please note, Client-supplied items are not covered by our Builder’s Warranty Insurance.
• On-site tile walkthrough to confirm tile selections, heights and placement.
• On-site paving concrete walkthrough to review the layout of your home.
Please Note
If these appointments are missed, works will proceed as per the plans. Any changes required afterwards are likely to incur additional fees.
Key Stages
Construction process
Base Stage
The foundation of your new home is prepared and constructed. This includes ground leveling, installing footings, laying the concrete slab or timber floor, and establishing essential belowground services such as plumbing and drainage.
Frame Stage
The structural framework of your home is built. Walls, roof trusses, and floors (double storey) take shape as the skeleton of the building is erected, providing the overall structure and layout.
Lock Up Stage
External walls, windows, and doors are installed, allowing the house to be “locked up.” The focus shifts to securing the structure from weather and enabling interior work to begin safely.
According to Section B, SC1 of the Special Conditions, please note: completion of the Lock-up Stage will occur when brick work / light weight cladding and roofing has been completed OR plaster, sisalation, wall insulation and roofing has been completed.
Fixing Stage
Internal components are added, including plasterboard, cabinetry, skirting boards, architraves, internal doors, and fixtures. The interior begins to take on its final appearance.
According to Section B, SC8 of the Special Conditions, please note: Built-in-Shelves, All Plumbing Fixtures are not installed until after the Fixing Stage Claim to prevent any damage that may occur.
Final Stage
Finishing touches include painting, flooring, electrical and plumbing fit-offs. Quality checks and a final clean are also completed to prepare your new home for inspection and handover.
PCI through to Handover
PCI Inspection
The PCI inspection is limited to a single meeting, which must be attended by the client and/or a designated client representative. All items must be documented during this meeting, and only one final list will be created upon conclusion of the appointment. This list must be signed by both the builder and the client at the conclusion of the appointment, in accordance with Section 17 of the building contract.
The agreed-upon items detailed in the inspection report are to be completed within 21 calendar days, corresponding to 15 business days.
We will provide 28 days’ notice for you to organise your rental (if applicable) and to book your removalist.
The final invoice should be actioned promptly; please allow 7–10 days for your bank to process payment.
Insurance
Builder’s construction insurance ceases from the date that the occupancy permit is issued; clients are responsible for arranging their own home insurance from this point onward.
Handover
Handover day and time will be scheduled during business hours and confirmed by our office after final payment is received and a receipt is issued.
To arrange your handover, our office will contact you directly. (Refer to the final presentation letter for further details.)
Moving Forward
What to expect from us.
Building a home is a significant milestone, and our goal is to guide you through every stage with clarity, confidence, and genuine care. By following the processes outlined in this document, maintaining open communication, and partnering with us at each key step, you help ensure a smooth and efficient build journey.
From the initial foundations to the final handover, our team is committed to delivering a highquality home and an experience that reflects the G.J. Gardner standard. We appreciate your cooperation, trust, and collaboration throughout the construction process, and we look forward to welcoming you into your new home.
Aftercare
Our commitment to you.
Our commitment to you continues after handover.
As part of our aftercare process, we provide a 90-day defects walkthrough of your property to identify and address any items that may arise once you’ve settled in.
During this walkthrough, we will discuss any concerns you have with the property and, where required, schedule any works that need to be completed. This inspection allows us to review workmanship and ensure everything is performing as intended.
Once keys have been handed over, it is then your responsibility to register all appliances supplied with the home. Any appliance-related faults, warranty claims, or servicing issues must be lodged directly with the relevant appliance manufacturer or supplier, in accordance with their warranty terms.
If you have any aftercare concerns or issues at any time during this period, please email the details to bendigo_aftercare@gjgardner.com.au so our team can assist you promptly.
