Frequently Asked Questions

Most custom homes take between 28 and 40 weeks on site, depending on size, complexity and site conditions. Design, engineering and council approvals typically add a further 12 to 20 weeks before construction begins. We provide a written construction program at contract stage, so you know the expected start and completion dates before you commit.

Yes — most of our clients already own their block. Before quoting, we assess your site for slope, soil classification, drainage, easements and access, because these factors influence site costs more than any other consideration. If you are still looking for land, we are happy to review potential blocks with you before you commit.

Yes. We work regularly with our clients’ own architects and designers, and we prefer to be involved early in the design stage so buildability and budget are considered from the outset. If you do not have a designer, we can introduce you to professionals we have worked with for many years.

We build across South East Queensland, including Brisbane, Taringa, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Chermside, Caboolture, Ipswich, Logan and the Redlands. Regional sites are considered case by case.

Cost depends on floor area, site conditions, specification and finishes. Rather than quote a generic square-metre rate that rarely reflects the real project, we prepare a detailed fixed-price estimate after reviewing your design and site. The initial consultation and feasibility discussion are free of charge.

Yes. We build under a fixed-price residential building contract. The contract price will not change because of our estimating error, or because materials and trades have risen in cost during construction. The only adjustments are variations you request in writing, or prime cost and provisional sum allowances identified in the contract, which are reconciled against actual cost with documentation.

The contract covers all works described in the approved plans and specification: site preparation, slab and framing, roofing, external cladding, windows and doors, electrical and plumbing rough-in, cabinetry, tiling, painting, fixtures and site clean-up. Items such as landscaping, fencing, driveways, window furnishings and council bonds are listed separately, so there are no surprises at handover.

We coordinate the approval process, including engagement of a private building certifier, structural engineering, and referral responses such as stormwater or town planning. You remain the applicant and we keep you informed at every stage. For duplex and dual occupancy projects, we also coordinate town planning advice where a development application is required.

Payments follow completed stages as defined in the contract — typically deposit, base, frame, enclosed, fixing and practical completion. Each claim is supported by an invoice and, where required, a certifier inspection. We do not ask to be paid for work that has not been completed.

Changes are documented as a written variation showing the cost and time impact before any work proceeds. You approve it, and construction continues. We encourage clients to finalise selections before signing, because changes during construction are the most common cause of delay and budget pressure.

You receive a written progress update every week, with photographs and a summary of upcoming works, plus a formal site meeting at each major stage. Brian Malone and our office team are contactable directly throughout the project — you are never routed through a call centre.

Yes, by arrangement and with the appropriate safety equipment. Sites are active workplaces, so we schedule visits at safe times rather than encouraging unannounced attendance. Weekly photo updates keep you across progress between visits.

Brian Malone and our site supervisor manage every project directly. We use the same trades we have worked with for years, and each stage is inspected before the next begins. Projects are not handed to subcontracted site managers.

Weather and unforeseen site conditions can affect the program. Where a delay is outside our control, we notify you promptly, explain the cause and issue a revised program. A reasonable allowance for wet-season weather is built into the construction timeline from the start.

Sites are fenced, signed and kept tidy, with waste removed at regular intervals. We respect neighbours’ access and privacy, and we maintain safe work practices in line with Work Health and Safety requirements.

Residential construction is covered by QBCC Home Warranty Insurance above the statutory threshold. In Queensland, structural defects are covered for six years and six months from practical completion, and non-structural defects for twelve months. We also stand behind our own workmanship beyond the statutory minimum.

Before handover we complete a joint inspection and record any items requiring attention on a defects list. Keys, certificates, warranties, appliance manuals and as-built documentation are provided when the final progress claim is settled. A project is not finished until that list is closed out.

Contact us and we will respond promptly. Non-structural items are addressed within the twelve-month defect period, and structural matters are covered by the statutory warranty. After-sales support is handled by the same team that built your home.

Yes. At handover you receive guidance on caring for finishes, roofing, drainage and landscaping, along with the recommended maintenance schedule for your home. Well-maintained homes perform better and hold their value.

Yes — duplex and dual occupancy construction is a substantial part of our work. We manage the additional requirements these projects carry, including acoustic and fire separation, separate services and metering, and the town planning considerations that apply to dual occupancy in Brisbane.

We can provide an initial feasibility view covering minimum lot size, frontage, setbacks, site cover and available services. Where a development application is required, we coordinate with town planning consultants and can manage the process on your behalf.

Yes, in selected estates across South East Queensland — either on land we have secured or on land you already own. Packages are quoted as a fixed price against a defined specification, so investors and owner-occupiers can compare options on equal terms.

The construction process is the same, but the priorities differ. Rental yield, depreciation, durability and low maintenance matter more than personal taste. We build regularly for investors and can advise on specification choices that reduce long-term holding costs.

Yes. If you already hold approved plans or a building approval, we can review the documentation and quote from it, provided the drawings and engineering are complete and current.