Building a house in Perth can feel overwhelming when you’re navigating the process for the first time. Each step requires careful planning and informed decisions.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the 12 essential steps to building a house in Perth, showing you exactly what to expect at each stage, and how working with a building broker can make the entire process smoother, faster, and more cost-effective.
To help you visualise the journey, here is a high-level roadmap of the four key phases you’ll navigate from finance to final handover. It’s also a TLDR for this guide.
| Phase | Steps | Focus | The Better Way Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Planning | Steps 1 – 3 | Finance & Suburbs | We find your true borrowing power & hold land while you decide. |
| 2. Selection | Steps 4 – 6 | Land & Builder | We filter dozens of builders down to the top 3 who fit your budget. |
| 3. Approval | Steps 7 – 9 | Contracts & Design | We review the fine print to catch hidden costs before you sign. |
| 4. Delivery | Steps 10 – 12 | Construction & Keys | We act as your advocate during site inspections and the final handover. |
Step 1: Assess Your Financial Position
Before you start browsing house designs or visiting display homes, you need a clear understanding of your financial capacity.
What this involves:
- Reviewing your income, savings, and existing debts
- Understanding your borrowing capacity
- Factoring in all costs: deposit, stamp duty, site works, and ongoing expenses
- Checking eligibility for government grants and schemes
How a building broker helps: We connect you with trusted mortgage brokers who specialise in construction loans. We’ll help you understand what you can realistically afford and identify any government incentives you’re eligible for, ensuring you start with a solid financial foundation.
Step 2: Determine Your Budget and Priorities
Once you know your borrowing capacity, it’s time to set a realistic budget and decide what matters most to you.
What this involves:
- Deciding between house and land packages or buying land separately
- Prioritising features (number of bedrooms, outdoor space, location)
- Setting aside contingency funds for unexpected costs
- Understanding the difference between the base price and the final build cost
How a building broker helps: We’ve seen countless clients fall in love with designs they can’t afford. We work backwards from your budget to show you what’s achievable, helping you prioritise features that matter most while avoiding costly disappointments later.
Step 3: Choose Your Location
Location affects everything from your daily commute to your home’s future resale value.
What this involves:
- Researching Perth suburbs that fit your lifestyle and budget
- Considering proximity to work, schools, and amenities
- Understanding council requirements and zoning restrictions
- Evaluating future development plans in the area
How a building broker helps: Our team knows Perth’s suburbs inside out. We’ll recommend areas that match your lifestyle and budget, and we can put land on hold while you finalise your plans, giving you time to make the right decision without pressure.
Step 4: Find and Secure Your Land
Finding the right block is paramount. The land you choose will impact your design options, site costs, and overall budget.
What this involves:
- Searching for available blocks in your chosen area
- Reviewing soil reports and contour surveys
- Understanding site works requirements (retaining walls, levelling, drainage)
- Negotiating land price and contract terms
How a building broker helps: We identify suitable land options based on your budget and requirements, then put them on hold while we work through your design and builder selection. We also introduce you to trusted land brokers who can negotiate on your behalf and handle the contract process.
Step 5: Research and Select Your Builder
This is where many first-time builders get stuck. Perth has dozens of builders, each with different strengths, pricing structures, and inclusions.
What this involves:
- Visiting display homes and researching builder reputations
- Comparing quotes, inclusions, and contract terms
- Checking builder credentials, insurance, and financial stability
- Understanding warranty coverage and dispute resolution processes
How a building broker helps: Instead of meeting with 5-10 builders individually, we provide curated recommendations from our carefully vetted panel. We’ve already negotiated competitive pricing and know each builder’s strengths, so we can match you with the right one for your project, saving you months of research.
Step 6: Design Your Home
Now comes the creative part: bringing your vision to life.
What this involves:
- Choosing a house design or creating a custom plan
- Selecting modifications and upgrades
- Ensuring the design fits your block and budget
- Reviewing architectural plans and engineering requirements
How a building broker helps: We create tailored house and land packages with your best choice of builder. If you want a custom design, we’ll work with you to develop it, then find the builder best suited to execute your vision within budget.
Step 7: Finalise Your Finance
With your builder and design selected, it’s time to secure your construction loan.
What this involves:
- Submitting formal loan applications
- Providing builder quotes and contracts to your lender
- Understanding the drawdown process during construction
- Ensuring you have sufficient funds for each stage
How a building broker helps: We guide you through the finance process, ensuring all documentation is in order and helping you understand the construction loan draw-down schedule. Our relationships with lenders mean we can often expedite approvals.
Step 8: Sign Contracts
This is a significant legal commitment, so it’s essential to understand exactly what you’re signing.
What this involves:
- Reviewing building contracts in detail
- Understanding variation clauses and payment schedules
- Checking warranty and insurance coverage
- Signing land contracts (if not already completed)
How a building broker helps: We review contracts with you, explaining the fine print and identifying any red flags. We’re your advocate, ensuring the terms are fair and that you’re protected throughout the build.
Step 9: Pre-Start and Selections
Before construction begins, you’ll make hundreds of decisions about finishes, fixtures, and fittings.
What this involves:
- Attending pre-start meetings with your builder
- Selecting tiles, flooring, paint colours, and fixtures
- Reviewing electrical and plumbing plans
- Finalising any design modifications
How a building broker helps: We prepare you for the pre-start process, explaining what to expect and helping you avoid common pitfalls. We’re available to attend meetings with you and provide guidance on selections that offer the best value.
Step 10: Construction Begins
Your home is finally taking shape. This stage requires patience and regular communication with your builder.
What this involves:
- Site preparation and foundation work
- Frame construction and lock-up
- Rough-in plumbing, electrical, and HVAC
- Regular site inspections and progress updates
How a building broker helps: Unlike many brokers who disappear after contract signing, we provide ongoing support throughout construction. We can attend site inspections with you, help resolve any issues that arise, and ensure your builder is meeting their obligations.
Step 11: Manage Variations and Changes
Even with careful planning, you may want to make changes during construction.
What this involves:
- Requesting variations through proper channels
- Understanding cost implications and timeline impacts
- Documenting all changes in writing
- Avoiding unauthorised modifications
How a building broker helps: We help you navigate the variation process, ensuring changes are documented properly and priced fairly. Our experience means we can advise whether a variation is worth the cost or if there’s a better alternative.
Step 12: Final Inspection and Handover
The finish line is in sight. This final step ensures everything is completed to standard before you take possession.
What this involves:
- Conducting a detailed final inspection with your builder
- Creating a defects list for any outstanding items
- Reviewing warranty documentation
- Receiving keys and taking possession of your new home
How a building broker helps: We can attend your final inspection, using our industry knowledge to identify any issues that need addressing. We’ll ensure your builder completes all defect work before final payment, protecting your investment.
Why Building with a Broker Makes Sense
Throughout these 12 steps, you’ll face countless decisions, potential pitfalls, and moments of uncertainty. That’s where Better Way 2 Build makes the difference.
Our service costs you nothing extra. Builders pay us the same commission they’d otherwise pay their internal sales team, meaning your home costs the same or less than if you dealt directly with a builder.
What you gain:
- Months of research condensed into expert recommendations
- Competitive pricing through our pre-negotiated builder relationships
- Ongoing support from contract signing through to handover
- Peace of mind knowing an experienced professional is in your corner
Our team of experienced building brokers is ready to guide you through every step of the process, helping you avoid common pitfalls and secure the best possible outcome. Contact Better Way 2 Build today for a consultation. Let’s discuss your vision, your budget, and how we can help you build your ideal Perth home with confidence.
| Building Solo | Building with a Broker |
|---|---|
| ✕ Guessing which builders are reliable | ✓ Access to a vetted panel of proven builders |
| ✕ Paying standard “retail” prices | ✓ Access to pre-negotiated industry rates |
| ✕ Navigating complex contracts alone | ✓ Expert review of all legal documents |
| ✕ Managing site disputes yourself | ✓ A professional advocate in your corner |
| ✕ High stress and potential delays | ✓ Cost: $0 (The builder pays us) |
