Building a new home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. While comparing floorplans, façades and prices is exciting, choosing the right builder is just as important as choosing the right home.
A display home might look impressive and a starting price might sound appealing, but neither tells the full story. The most successful home building experiences start with asking the right questions early, before you pay a deposit or sign a contract.
Whether you're building your first home or your forever home, this checklist will help you compare builders with confidence, understand what's included and avoid unexpected surprises later in your journey.
15 essential questions to ask a builder
1. Are you licensed, registered and insured?
Any reputable builder should be appropriately licensed, registered and insured for the work they undertake.
Ask what licences they hold, what insurance applies to your build and how you'll be protected throughout the construction process.
In Queensland, you can use the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s online licence search to check a builder’s licence information. It is also worth asking how the required home warranty insurance applies to your project and when you will receive the relevant documentation.
A builder should be transparent about these requirements and happy to explain how they form part of the overall building journey.
2. How experienced is the builder?
Ask how long the builder has been operating, how many homes it has completed and whether it has experience with your chosen type of home.
You should also feel comfortable asking about the company’s financial backing. A home can take months to plan and build, so you want confidence that your builder has the experience, resources and stability to see the project through.
Look beyond broad claims. Consider completed projects, independent reviews, industry recognition, company history and the evidence the builder can provide.
3. What's included in the advertised price?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. Two builders may advertise similar prices, but the inclusions can be dramatically different and a lower starting price does not necessarily mean a lower final price.
Ask for an itemised list of standard inclusions so you can see exactly what you are getting. Check the brands, materials and finishes included in key areas such as:
- Kitchen appliances and cabinetry
- Benchtops
- Flooring
- Bathrooms and tapware
- Heating and cooling
- Electrical items
- Internal and external finishes
- Energy-efficiency features
- Façade options
At Plantation Homes, every home includes a generous range of standard luxury inclusions designed to deliver exceptional value from the outset. Understanding these inclusions early makes it easier to compare builders on a like-for-like basis.
4. What isn't included in the price?
Knowing what is excluded is just as important as understanding what is included.
Depending on the builder, block and package, additional costs could relate to site works, authority requirements, developer requirements, demolition, asbestos removal, landscaping, fencing, window furnishings, driveways or other items outside the building contract.
Ask for exclusions in writing. If an item has not been priced yet, find out why, when it will be confirmed and how it could affect your budget. A good builder should clearly explain any additional costs that may apply and when they'll be confirmed.
5. Are there any provisional sums or allowances?
Provisional sums are allowances for work or materials that haven't been fully priced when a quote is prepared.
While they're sometimes unavoidable, they can make it difficult to compare builders and understand your final cost. Ask:
- Which amounts are fixed?
- Which amounts are provisional?
- How were the allowances calculated?
- What happens if the final cost is higher?
A quote with a low initial figure but several uncertain allowances can become more expensive later.
6. Will I know my final price before signing a contract?
Ask when you will receive a complete cost breakdown and what could still change after that point.
You should have a clear understanding of your home's total cost before you commit. This includes:
- House design
- Façade
- Floorplan modifications
- Site costs
- Developer requirements
- Interior selections
- Exterior selections
At Plantation Homes, customers attend a tender appointment before signing their building contract. This process helps ensure all relevant costs are considered upfront, giving customers greater clarity and confidence before moving forward.
7. Does the price include 7-star energy efficiency and Whole of Home compliance?
Do not assume energy compliance is automatically included in the advertised price.
Recent energy-efficiency requirements have changed the way new homes are designed and priced. Some builders may advertise a starting price before these requirements are accounted for, so it's worth asking exactly what's included.
Questions to ask include:
- Does the advertised price include 7-star compliance?
- Does it include Whole of Home requirements?
- Does block orientation affect the cost?
- Will upgrades impact compliance?
At Plantation Homes, 7-star energy efficiency and Whole of Home compliance are included in the advertised price of our home designs, regardless of block orientation. If additional upgrades or estate requirements affect compliance, those costs are discussed before contract.
8. When do I choose my interior and exterior selections?
Find out whether you will make your main design choices before or after signing the building contract.
This timing matters because upgrades and changes can affect your final price. Ask:
- Which choices are included as standard?
- What options can I see before signing?
- Will I receive pricing during the appointment?
- Could my choices affect energy compliance?
- Who will help me work within my budget?
- Are design consultants paid commissions on upgrades?
The earlier you understand your options and their prices, the easier it is to make informed decisions without stretching your budget.
9. What floorplan options are available?
Ask how much flexibility you have to adapt the floorplan to suit your family, block and lifestyle.
Some builders offer pre-drawn and pre-priced options, while others may treat every alteration as a custom change. Find out whether you can add rooms, reposition spaces, change openings or select an alternative layout, and ask to see the cost before making a decision.
Pre-planned options can give you greater choice while making the price and implications of each change easier to understand.
10. How much will changes cost?
A change that looks simple on a floorplan may affect engineering, energy requirements, materials or construction.
Before signing, ask:
- Which changes are permitted?
- Is there a fee for requesting a change?
- When is the final deadline for changes?
- Will you receive the cost before approving it?
- Can changes be made after contract?
- What happens if you change your mind later?
Understanding the process upfront can prevent unexpected fees and help keep your build on schedule.
11. Is the display home representative of the homes you build?
Display homes provide a valuable insight into a builder's quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail.
When visiting a display home, ask which features are standard, which are upgraded and whether the construction quality shown is representative of every home the builder completes. Look closely at cabinetry, paintwork, tiling, joins and finishes, not only the styling and furniture.
It is also worth viewing customer reviews and, where possible, completed homes.
12. How is quality checked during construction?
Ask what inspections and quality checks take place throughout construction, who performs them and how any defects are managed.
Useful questions include:
- What inspections are conducted?
- When are quality checks completed?
- How are issues identified and resolved?
- What happens before handover?
Understanding a builder's quality assurance processes can provide confidence that your home will meet expected standards when construction is complete.
13. Who will communicate with me during the build?
Clear communication can make a significant difference to your building experience.
Ask who your main contact will be at each stage, how often you can expect updates and how questions or concerns should be raised. It is also helpful to understand whether you will communicate directly with your site supervisor or through a customer-service contact.
Before you commit, clarify:
- Your key contacts
- How updates will be provided
- How frequently you will hear from the team
- Who to contact if something goes wrong
- How concerns are escalated
- Whether you can track progress online
At Plantation Homes, customers are supported throughout the process by dedicated teams who help guide them through each stage, from sales and selections through to handover. Customers can also track the progress of their build and keep track of important documents and milestones using our MyHomeHQ online portal.
14. What is the expected construction timeframe?
Ask for an indicative timeframe and an explanation of what could affect it.
Approvals, land registration, weather, material availability, site conditions and requested changes may influence a project’s timing. Your builder should explain the major stages, when construction can begin and how delays are communicated.
Also ask when you will need to complete finance, design decisions, documents and other customer actions. Knowing what is expected from you can help keep the process moving.
15. What warranties, guarantees and aftercare do you provide?
A builder's support shouldn't stop once you receive your keys. Ask:
- What warranties apply?
- How do I report defects?
- Who manages post-handover support?
- What guarantees are available?
Plantation Homes offers a 50-year structural guarantee, providing additional peace of mind long after construction is complete. Customers also have access to support throughout applicable warranty and maintenance periods following handover.
Red flags to watch for when comparing builders
While every builder operates differently, there are a few warning signs worth paying attention to:
- Prices that seem significantly lower than competitors without explanation
- Large numbers of provisional sums or allowances
- Unclear inclusions and exclusions
- Pressure to sign quickly
- Difficulty obtaining a complete quote
- Limited transparency around energy compliance costs
- Poor customer reviews or unresolved complaints
- Unclear communication processes
The right builder should be transparent, willing to answer questions and committed to helping you make an informed decision.
How to compare builders fairly
When reviewing builder quotes, compare more than just the headline price. Consider:
- Standard inclusions
- Energy compliance
- Site costs
- Floorplan flexibility
- Quality assurance processes
- Communication and customer support
- Warranties and guarantees
- Builder experience and reputation
The cheapest option isn't always the best value. The goal is to understand exactly what you're getting, what you'll pay and how your builder will support you throughout the journey.
Ready to start asking questions?
We believe an informed customer is a confident customer. That's why we're committed to transparent pricing, clear communication and helping you understand every stage of the building process before you sign a contract.
Explore our home designs, or visit a display home to speak with one of our new home consultants and learn more about building with Plantation Homes.
