Beckim Homes

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1300 4 BECKIM
Beckim Homes

Home Builders & Construction in Melbourne

  • Home
  • Our Designs
    • Home Designs
    • Floor Plans
      • Single Storey Floor Plans
      • Double Storey Floor Plans
      • Inspired Living Floor Plans
      • House & Land Package
  • Homes We Have Built
  • Our Offers
  • Resources
    • Beckim Media
    • FAQs
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
1300 4 BECKIM

FAQs

  • All
  • Building New Home
  • Buying Land
  • Display Homes
  • Facades and Floorplans
  • First Home Buyers

What should I expect to see in my land contract?

Plan of subdivision
This shows you the layout and dimensions of all the land lots within a stage of subdivision. This plan also indicates the size and location of any easements.

Civil engineering plan (Functional layout plan)
This plan shows the civil design, including site levels, depth of any fill imported and any previous land features of significance, such as trees and drains.

Building envelope plan
This plan shows you the depth, width and height restrictions applicable to a specific block. This effectively gives you the dimensions of the build area to show you where your house can be positioned on your block.

Estate Design Guidelines
This will give you the developers’ design guidelines for your estate. It is important to understand the impact these may have on the house you intend to build.

Memorandum of common provisions
This document informs you of council enforced controls and restrictions associated with the title of your land. These are fixed controls that are registered on the title.

What other things should be considered when land shopping?

There a number of other considerations to make when looking for land, most of which will depend on your personal preferences and the lifestyle you have in mind. If buying in an estate, look into whether this development has on-going body corporate fees for things like lifestyle centres or clubs (these details will be in your land contract).

How big should my block be?

In new estates the average block size in Victoria is 448m2. Typically this lot size refers to a 14m x 32m lot. The width and depth of the lot will determine the type of house you can build. Ensure you check the width, depth and slope of the block against the dimensions of the house design you would like to build.

Do you want a big garden/backyard or are you looking for something with a smaller footprint and less maintenance? Are you near parks? (this could impact how big your backyard needs to be). Do you want a double garage? Typically you will need a lot with a minimum width frontage of 12.5m to do this.

Ensure you check the dimensions of the block for setback requirements, easements or other conditions that will limit where on the block of land your house can be positioned.

How much of a deposit is required for a block of land?

Generally when purchasing land you require 10% of the purchase price for a deposit. The balance of the purchase price is not payable until the new land title is registered, often in 6–12 months time. Be sure to ask your land agent when title registration is due. When buying a House and Land package, generally a 5% deposit on the land and 5% deposit on the home is accepted.

Your bank or mortgage broker thoroughly understands this process and will help guide you through this, they can even organise pre-approval which can save you time in the long run.

How do I make my block of land build ready?

It’s important to make sure your block of land is maintained as to not delay any works once you have reached the construction stage. For your block to be build ready, you’ll need to make sure you clear anything that can get in the way or be deemed a hazard such as rubbish and unnecessary vegetation. Don’t underestimate the amount of time you should allocate to this, as unfortunately sometimes people can dump their waste on un-fenced blocks and if your land has been left for a while, it may be quite overgrown.

Why do I have to ensure there are boundary pegs on my property?

Boundary pegs (also known as title or survey pegs) are used to mark out the boundaries of your lot before construction can begin on a development site. A Land or Building Surveyor will accurately measure out your site and establish boundaries which they will then mark out with pegs or stakes. It’s important to ensure your block is maintained before the construction stage as if pegs are missing or have been moved, sometimes you may have to bear the cost of having the land re-surveyed.

If I buy in an estate, what considerations do I need to make?

Estate Guidelines
You need to understand these. They are rules put in place by the land developers to ensure that your asset is protected by controlling what build form is allowed within the estate. These guidelines vary from estate to estate and land developer. They could be something simple like every house in the street needs a wooden look garage door, or they can be more complex where you might like a certain type of façade but they won’t allow that type of façade in the estate. In other instances, a rule may be that you must have 3 different building materials used on the front (façade) of your home.
Estate guidelines have to be met (not negotiable) and they can have a cost impact on your build if what you were initially proposing does not comply. You may end up having to pay additional money to add materials or change your façade selection to achieve compliance.
Please note: These guidelines are determined by the land developers (not the builders) All house and land packages have already taken estate guidelines into account.

Amenities
Location is the key when selecting your desired estate and purchasing a block of land. Access to amenities will make all the difference to your lifestyle. How far away will the proposed shops, parks, schools and public transport be? You need to check this out with the land agent before you purchase.

Location within the Estate
Are parks or living close by to family and friends important? Locations near a park are sought after and blocks abutting them are in even more demand and come at a premium. Likewise, blocks with a view and those on the high side of a street often command higher prices. Be sure to consider the orientation of your lot and how this will relate to natural light for your indoor and outdoor areas.
Are you looking at a corner block? Generally corner blocks will provide a greater sense of space and can also prove to be great value for money. Keep in mind however that there could be some additional build costs such as fencing, landscaping and façade extras to meet estate guidelines.
Please note: Without any structures on a lot, even a poorly oriented block can look elevated and light filled. Ideally you should obtain an expert opinion on how your block’s exposure to the elements will affect the home you hope to build. Consider meeting with your builder on site.

What is a soil report and why do I need one?

Believe it or not, dirt isn’t just dirt and some soil can be reactive – meaning the moisture content in the soil causes it to shift and change in volume. A soil test and survey is an integral part of every build as the information from these tests will influence the slab design, piering, cut and fill requirements, finished floor level, retaining wall considerations and much more! All of these factors also affect site costs, and it’s impossible to know what’s lurking underneath your block until you start digging.

What is an easement?

Easements often exist on blocks of land to accommodate utility services and connections such as power and sewerage – not just for your home, but for all the people on your block that are connected to these services. Your new home will require clearance from these easements to ensure access for maintenance workers etc. Be sure to consider the size and location of any easements as these will impact where you can build your home and may also impact the size of the home you can build.

Typically in new estates, the most common easement is at the rear of the lot and they are usually 2 – 3 metres wide. Best practice is to ensure the house is located at a minimum 1 metre clearance from an easement.

What is the difference between titled and untitled land?

Titled land simply means there is an official record of who owns a certain section of land. As the name suggests, Untitled lots do not have a title as they may still be under development and in this instance you’ll need to wait for the relevant ownership certificate to be issued. The benefit of titled land is you will only need to do a title transfer, which has a much quicker turnaround that the issuing of a new title! In saying that most of the land in Victoria is going to be untitled, particularly in developments, so make sure you factor in ample time for this process when deciding to build.

What is a floorplan?

This is the layout of the home and will show you what design options you can make to the standard floorplan. For example, you may want to add an alfresco or rumpus room. The floorplan will give you the dimensions of each room and tell you what size block you need to build this house.

Please note: The required block sizes nominated for each house are based off the standard plan. If you start to add design options (which affect the footprint of your home) you need to check that your block can accommodate these changes.

What is a facade?

This is the front of the house aka what you see from the street. If you are looking at a display home and love the internal layout but don’t like the look from the front don’t be disheartened; it will be interchangeable, meaning you can have the same house design with a completely different external look.

There are usually around 4-8 different facades for each house type, so ask your Sales Consultant to see the range for your desired design.

If I see something in a display can I have it?

Yes. If it is in the same display home that you are asking for a quote on. All the items that are showcased in our displays (design elements or structural) are available in that particular house design. (Furniture, rug, prints, etc are excluded).
The sales consultant can add any additional items you have seen in the display home into your quote as you request.
NOTE: Should you have seen a display enhancement you like in one home and want this item, or floorplan, change applied to a different house design, you will need to speak to a sale consultant. Please be aware that this may not be feasible due to the structural differences between the two individual house designs.

Is the furniture in a display home ever for sale?

Yes. When we close a display, the person who has purchased the actual display home has first choice, and we will then hold a sale on what’s left. You must attend on the day of the sale and arrange any transportation for purchases where required. Lists of sale items are not made available prior.

If I see something in a display can I have it in my home?

Yes. If it is in the same display home that you are asking for a quote on. All the items that are showcased in our displays (design elements or structural) are available in that particular house design. (Furniture, rug, prints, etc are excluded). Your sales consultant can add any additional items you have seen in the display home into your quote as per your request.

Please note: Should you have seen a display enhancement or floor plan you like in one home and want this item or change applied to a different house design, you will need to speak to a sales consultant. Please be aware that this may not be feasible due to the structural differences between the two individual house designs.

Can I purchase a display home?

Yes, we usually put our display homes on the market after 3 months and then we rent them back under a 2-3 year lease agreement however, this is dependent on the length of the display village being open and our need for exposure in that area. For further details on our display home sales, please contact our display team at info@beckimhomes.com.au

Why are display homes never standard?

To ensure the optimal outcome, our designers will have included certain design elements and additional floorplan options within our displays that are not included in the base house price. These things can be structural such as adding a grand Alfresco, through to design-based such as increasing the thickness of an island benchtop. Should you want to know more about a certain display, please speak to the Sales Consultant on site.

Where can I find my closest display home?

To search for a display home, please visit the Beckim Homes website and use our property search.

Do you have a First Home Buyer range?

Beckim Homes have several product options designed with our first home buyers in mind:

Smart Living
The Beckim Homes Smart Living range is our most affordable range of designer homes. This range is exclusive to our house and land packages, whilst also having the opportunity of a custom (house without land) package. There are limited selectable options available to add onto your Smart Living home, including a set of pre-designed colour scheme options hand-crafted by our interior design team at World Of Style.

Townhomes
These are low maintenance homes with functional, well thought out floor plans. With anywhere between 2-4 bedrooms, they are spacious, include everything you need to move in and are all at a great price point.

Beckim Homes Real Estate
These properties are ready to move into in 90 days or less. They’re good for buyers who are leaning towards an established home but still like the idea of something brand new.

How much of a deposit do I need?

As a general rule, people aim to save 20% of the property price (excluding other fees). It means you can avoid paying costly Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) and you’ve got a great head start on paying off your loan. If you’ve got 5-10% saved, paying LMI is a small price to pay to crack into the property market. It’s also included in your loan repayments so that it’s spread out over the term of your loan.

Please note: All financial advice is a general guide only and not an indication of your personal circumstances. Please contact a finance professional if you wish to receive tailored advice.

How do I know how much I can borrow?

This is subjective and depends on your personal circumstances so there’s no one answer fits all. Income, living expenses and number of dependents are just a few factors that will influence your borrowing capacity. Organising pre-approval is a fantastic way to get an indication of your borrowing capacity and to help guide you when looking for a home within your price range.

For tailored personal advice, please contact a finance professional.

What concessions will be available to me if I build with Beckim Homes?

As a first home buyer you might be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant scheme (FHOG), a Government assistance program designed to help you get into the property market. Incentives for people living in Victoria include a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) for new homes valued up to $750,000 (or $20,000 if you’re in regional Victoria) as well as stamp duty concessions. Incentives for people living in Queensland include a $15,000 FHOG for eligible first home buyers who are buying or building a new home up to the value of $750,000 – including off-the-plan. Please check the Government website relevant to your state to assess your eligibility for this concession.

What is stamp duty and when is it applicable to pay this?

Stamp duty is a one-off ‘Government fee’ you will be required to pay when you buy land or property in Victoria or Queensland. For new homes, stamp duty concessions are available for first home buyers.

In Victoria, if your home has a dutiable value of $600,000 or less, you’ll receive the first home buyer duty exemption (visit the State Revenue Office’s website for more details). But you’ll still need to pay a fee for the registration of your property’s title to the Land Titles Office (maximum $3,606) and you might need to pay GST too.

How much will my repayments be per week?

This is something you’ll need to sit down and work out with your lender based on your total loan amount. There are loan repayment calculators online that can give a rough indication, but for specific and tailored financial advice please contact a finance professional.

What other costs do I need to be aware of?

The price of your home won’t be the only cost you need to bear upfront and there are other considerations to make when working out what you can afford. Stamp duty, taxes, Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI), as well as conveyancing and legal fees are just a few of the costs associated with purchasing a new home. There’s also other factors you’ll need to consider closer to your move in date such as council and utility rates and building and contents insurance. To get an idea of the amount you’ll need to save on top of your house price, please speak to a finance professional.

Why doesn’t construction start as soon as my contract is signed?

There are still many administrative matters to cover off including variations, building permits, developer/Council approval, asset protection, PIC, soil reports, engineering, Formal and ACC (finance approval to commence) – just to name a few!

Who are my key contacts in each stage of the building process?

Post sales stage and pre site start your point of contact will be your Building Coordinator. Once construction has commenced and up until Base Stage, you will be liaising with one of our Base Supervisors. Once the base has been poured you will be contacted by a Build Site Supervisor who manages the rest of the process, all the way through to completion. Post completion, we have a New Home Care (Maintenance) Team that will tend to your needs.

Can I access my home during construction?

Yes but only via a scheduled appointment with your Site Supervisor. Building sites can be potentially dangerous and this is covered in your HIA Contract and relevant OH&S regulations. Technically, you require a white card in order to enter a domestic building site but when accompanied by a qualified Beckim Homes Site Supervisor this is acceptable and you are not putting yourself or family at risk.

Can we use our own tradies?

Only contracted suppliers and subcontractors can work on our homes but once the home is considered complete then it’s all yours! The reason for this is that all builders aim to provide a complete design and build service for their clients so will have rules around using unlicensed contractors, relatives or other tradespeople. This is also because of their responsibility to maintain a certain quality of work and reputation and for liability reasons. (Current Statutory requirements hold builders responsible for all structural issues and therefore we can not partially complete a home).

Do I get insurance during my build?

What is covered
During the period of construction, Beckim Homes will put a public liability insurance policy in place for the construction site. This policy covers the Builder and Owner for liability for physical loss, destruction or damage to the building works we are undertaking, as well as the goods and building materials kept on your site as described in your Contract documents.

What is not covered
Whilst Beckim Homes is in charge of the construction site during the period of construction, our policies do not cover the Owner for any loss of their own personal property kept on the construction site during the period of construction. Owners personal items should be removed from the site prior to commencement of construction as any personal items left on site during construction are left at the Owners risk.

This information is outlined in the H.I.A. Plain English Contract which is a document you will sign at your Contract Appointment.

What happens leading up to my handover appointment?

Once construction of your home is complete, we will organise the Building Surveyor to do a final inspection of the home and ensure it has been built to Australian standards, codes and regulations. The Building Surveyor will then provide Beckim Homes with a Certificate of Occupancy which states that the home is legally allowed to be lived in and we will provide this document to you. You will need to provide this document to the lender you have gone through for your construction loan, if applicable.

During your Handover appointment, you will meet with your Construction Supervisor on site at your new home. They will walk you through and show you where everything is, including how to use items like security systems, garage roller doors, the thermostat for any heating/cooling, etc. They will also provide you with the original copies of your compliance certificates for items like electrical, plumbing and insulation as these works are required by law to have been done by a licensed trade. Your Construction Supervisor will also provide you with the keys to your entry door, any external doors and any windows across your home.

What goes into preparing a site to be built on?

Site survey and soil test
A Geo-technical engineer will conduct the testing and will deliver a report on your block of land. The site survey records key features on both your block and the area neighbouring your lot. The soil test will determine your slab classification, as well as indicate if any rock removal is expected.

Excavation works
Your new home needs to be built on level ground. The land is levelled by a combination of cutting soil away from the higher end of the block and/or adding new fill to the lower areas. The fill must be compacted properly to ensure your land is stable. If this can’t be achieved satisfactorily, concrete piers will be put in place to make it stronger. Where required by the council, crossover protection may also be used. If there are rocks underneath the surface, these will be removed and taken away where appropriate.

Retaining walls
These are used to retain the earth on your land if required. In the case where a block of land is too close to a boundary and we can’t fully cut or fill it, we will need to build a retaining wall that holds the soil and ensures a flat building platform can be achieved.

Concrete piering
Where soil conditions are not stable to a satisfactory level, or if your house is in close proximity to mature trees or easements, an engineer may specify the use of concrete piers in the ground to support the house foundations. To do this, holes are dug until they reach solid foundations and concrete is poured into them to achieve stability.

Slab pour
The engineering company determines your slab classification in accordance with the soil report. In some instances there may be a need to increase the stiffness of the slab, which can be achieved by increasing the steel mesh size, and the amount of concrete used.

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26 Wavertree Crescent, Werribee, VIC 3030

+61 432198654

info@beckimhomes.com.au

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