Home Building FAQs From The Custom Home Builders at Vivid

Building a custom home is an experience. If this is your first time building a custom home, or you have been down this road before, you know there are many questions that come up along the way. Below are the home building FAQs that we have collected over the years from clients. These are the most common questions our design and building team are asked about new homes and new projects.

If you have questions that are not answered here, please contact us. Often it’s faster to simply get on a call with our team to get fast answers so you can get to the fun part of designing your home.

Thinking of building?
Here's what you need to know...

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The Vivid Home Builders Difference

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What to expect for your custom project:

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Handy hints for your project

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Hear from our happy new custom home owners...

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A project builder works from fixed plans with limited flexibility. You can make minor changes, but major amendments usually come with significant fees, and your selections are restricted to what they offer.

A custom builder like Vivid works differently:

  • Your home is designed around your block, lifestyle and budget
  • Plans can be amended to suit your needs
  • Inclusions are tailored to you, not drawn from a limited catalogue
  • You have genuine input into every aspect of the design

If you want to see what a custom design could look like, browse our house plans or visit our display home today.

Surprisingly, no. When you compare like for like, the cost is generally the same as a project build and often less than you’d expect once you understand what’s actually included.

Project builders typically present a base price that leaves out a lot. Common exclusions include:

  • Driveway and external concrete
  • Floor coverings (tiles, carpet)
  • Adequate insulation
  • Letterbox, TV antenna and other move-in essentials
  • Full-size rooms (smaller dimensions are common at entry-level price points)

By the time you add everything back in, the “cheaper” option often isn’t cheap anymore. At Vivid, we price every home on a full turn-key basis. That means the price we give you reflects a complete, move-in-ready home. If you want to upgrade materials or make changes, we will always be upfront about what that costs and why.

 

It does not have to be; research and knowledge are key to a great home-building experience. Here is a simple way to approach it:

  1. Get a feel for what you want – Look at designs, think about how your family uses a home day to day, and note what you love and what you do not.
  2. Think about your land – If you already have a block, bring that to your first conversation. The shape, slope and orientation of your land will influence which designs work best.
  3. Talk to us – We will walk you through the process, help you understand your options and advise on whether your chosen design suits your block before you commit to anything.

Not sure where to start with design? Browse our 3 bedroom, 4 bedroom or 5+ bedroom house plans, or get in touch and we will help you figure out the right starting point.

Absolutely, and in detail. At Vivid Homes, we pride ourselves on our awesome communication skills. Once your build is underway, you will receive weekly progress updates. You also get full access to our building software throughout the entire construction, which shows you:

  • Your build schedule and milestones,
  • All your selections in one place,
  • A full financial summary,
  • All correspondence with our team,
  • And, photos, photos, photos – so you can follow along from wherever you are
 

Yes, and they can make a meaningful difference to your overall costs. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for:

  • First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): A Queensland Government grant offering $15,000 or $30,000 to eligible first home buyers building a new home.
  • Stamp duty concessions: First home buyers may also be eligible for concessions on transfer duty.
  • Federal schemes: Including programs designed to help buyers build with a smaller deposit.

Eligibility depends on factors like your income, whether you have owned property before, and the value of your build. We have put together a full overview of available grants and how to apply on our Government Grants page. If you have further questions about how grants apply to your situation, feel free to get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.

Every build is different, but as a general guide:

  • Design and selections: 4 to 12 weeks, depending on how quickly decisions are made and whether plans need amending
  • Council approvals and permits: 4 to 12 weeks, depending on your block and local requirements
  • Construction: 20 to 32 weeks for most custom homes, though larger or more complex builds may take longer

From your first conversation to handover, most clients are looking at somewhere between 12 and 18 months in total.

The best way to get a more accurate timeframe for your specific build is to talk to our team early. The sooner we understand your land, design and budget, the sooner we can give you a realistic picture.

Yes. We have experience across a wide range of sites across the Fraser Coast, including:

If you have an unusual or challenging block, we recommend talking to us before you finalise a design. We can advise on what will work well for your land and help you avoid costly changes down the track.

Yes. If you are still looking for land, we have a range of house and land packages available across the Fraser Coast. Get in touch, and we can walk you through what is currently available.