10 common questions luxury property developers get advice, Queensland real estate buying guide, Gold Coast QLD property sales tips
10 Common Questions Luxury Property Developers Get
8 February 2024
Building a new property is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Lots of work and decisions go into a new construction project, but the effort is all worth it in the end.
During the decision-making process, you’ll have the full support of your property developer. It’s usually the developer’s job to arrange the entire project. From purchasing the land to coordinating with builders, seeking planning approvals and beyond, the developer will handle the lion’s share of the work.
Property developers have a lot going on. Coordinating the construction of multiple homes is a big task, but that doesn’t mean customer service goes out the window.
A big part of the work that comes with being Gold Coast property developers is ensuring client questions are answered. These are some of the most common queries customers have for their developer.
10 Common Questions Luxury Property Developers Receive – List
- Can I Customise My Property?
This depends on the developer. Generally speaking, property developers will allow you to make changes to the floorplan, inclusions and finishes of your property.
The only limit here is the developer you choose to work with. Some developers specialise in high-volume construction where there is limited room for customisation. These types of developers take advantage of economies of scale to decrease the total price of your build, so customisation is often limited to your choice of fittings, flooring and paint colour.
On the other hand, luxury property developers may allow for far more customisation. Most developers are still working with a loose plan in mind. But, you should be able to customise your new property within that plan. This could include things such as moving walls, resizing rooms, altering the placement of windows and more.
- Can Changes Be Made After the Contract is Signed?
Yes and no. While it’s always possible to work with your developer and get changes approved after the contracts are signed, your developer likely isn’t obligated to do so.
The answer to this question depends on the terms of your contract. Some luxury developers offer clauses that make it easier to incorporate changes after-the-fact. Others won’t allow it, or will charge you substantially more to alter your design once the contracts are finalised.
Things often change during the construction process. If you’re building a new house, we recommend discussing the possibility of further changes with your developer, and including a provision in the contract if possible.
- Why is My House Different from the Original Design?
Construction is a complicated process. Many customers find that the finished result of their new home is different from the original design in small ways.
This typically occurs due to factors outside of your developer’s control. That could be things like regulatory changes, planning laws, unforeseen circumstances on site, or problems like supply shortages.
While it’s frustrating, there isn’t a lot that can be done about this sort of issue. As a result, most developers will have a process for consulting you on any changes that need to be made along the way. For example, if there is a shortage of timber that means the builders won’t be able to complete your deck, they will inform you of the change and negotiate an alternative.
The best thing you can do is to manage your own expectations. It’s highly likely that your new home will differ from the plan in minor ways, so don’t expect perfection.
- Will Construction Be Delayed?
There’s no way to answer this question. The world has seen major supply and labour shortages in recent years that have created difficulties in new home construction. In some cases, customers have had their projects delayed by months, or even years.
The lesson from recent times is that these delays are beyond the control of your developer.
The good news is that developers have learned this lesson, and most will now provide extended time frames. This helps with managing your expectations and allows you to plan accordingly.
If your construction is delayed, discuss the matter with your developer. They may be willing to offer discounts or extras in compensation for the trouble.
- Can I Visit the Construction Site?
Most developers will prohibit you from visiting the construction site.
Construction zones are hazardous places. They aren’t suitable for members of the public to wander around and inspect the process.
Instead, your developer will provide regular updates (in the form of pictures and videos) of their progress. Most developers use online portals that can be accessed remotely from anywhere in the world. That makes it easy to check the progress on your new home, access important documents, and resolve any issues that arise.
You may be able to visit the site if you coordinate with the site supervisor beforehand. Do not simple arrive on site and expect to be given a tour.
- Is There Anything I Should Be Doing While Waiting for Completion?
Your new home could be months away. That wait can feel like forever, and it often leaves customers wondering if there’s anything they should be doing in the meantime. You can do all of the following things to facilitate the handover process and ensure construction moves along smoothly:
- Ensure financing is in place – Construction loans are released in stages as progress is made on your property. Keep in contact with your lender to ensure payments are being released on time and that they are prepared to see the project through to the end.
- Purchase insurance – Your new home will need insurance, and there’s nothing to stop you from organising that ahead of time. Make sure coverage begins from the settlement date to ensure your new home and contents are covered.
- Arrange utilities connections – You will likely need to arrange for power and water to be connected to your site before construction begins. If not (e.g. if you are building an apartment), you can take care of this while waiting for construction to be completed. Set up your account so that power, water, internet and other utilities will commence on the settlement date.
- Organise a moving company – If you’re bringing your existing household with you, start speaking with moving companies early on. This gives you a chance to compare multiple quotes and work with a mover you trust.
- Purchase anything else you’ll need – Property developers each have their own list of inclusions. If there’s something you need for your new property, such as appliances and furniture, it’s a good idea to arrange that ahead of time.
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