FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
PAC - Post PAC Signing
At our current workload, we anticipate being able to provide a full building quote within 2 to 3 weeks after receiving all the necessary documentation from you.
Items that may not be included in the contract are asbestos removal, demolition of existing home (unless specified otherwise) landscaping or fencing, retaining walls, driveways and paths, soil removal from site as a result from excavation, power and gas disconnection and reconnection to property. However, all of these items can be added to the contract if you wish, and additional costs will be discussed and agree upon during the contract process.
The total cost of the contract is $6,500 including GST. We ask for a $650 including GST deposit when signing with the balance due when the first meeting is booked.
Based on previous clients’ experience, generally clients will have 1 to 3 meetings included in the PAC (Pre-Construction) contract. After the 1 to 3 meetings, if further meetings are required, we can come to an agreement on additional fees.
The 4 included supplier visits can be any combination you like, such as 2 joinery visits and 2 plumbing visits, or any other combination. If you require additional visits beyond the 4 included visits, we can arrange them free of charge.
No, if you have one then great! If not, don’t stress, we will include standard builders items and discuss and alter this with you throughout this process.
No, the “full building estimate” refers to a detailed estimate of the total cost of the project, which we have not provided yet. The ballpark figure provided was to ensure your budget aligns with the plans, but it is not the same as the “full building estimate”.
Yes, a HIA (Housing Industry Association) contract can be used without a HIA membership. As a registered builder, we can use a HIA contract, but for our PAC process, we prefer to use a New Home Master Builders Contract for the building contract.
Your designer/architect will develop the working drawings, which will include floorplans and elevations.
Your designer/architect should include details such as lighting and powerpoints in the working drawings as part of the design package. However, if this is not the case, our electrician can create a lighting and power schedule for you at an additional charge of $200+GST.
There are certain owner-supplied items that we allow in the contract without any additional fee. However, there are some items we prefer you not to supply for the reasons of the flow of schedule and keeping the job on time and budget. Kindly provide us a list of the items that you would like to supply and we can discuss this in our PAC meetings.
The PAC costs of $6,500 (inc GST) are paid up front, however if you were to withdraw after the initial quote was provided, we would charge a minimum fee of $3,250 (Inc GST), which is derived from our costs incurred for our estimator (16-20 hours), Tom's time & other administrative costs. We would refund costs past this time on a pro-rata basis.
Yes, we have Certificate of Builders Insurance - Contract Works & Public Liability, and Workcover Insurance Certificate of Currency
Passive House
Contrary to common perception, Passive Houses offer both short-term and long-term financial benefits. While they may require a slightly higher initial investment, the savings they deliver in the long run, especially with the ongoing rise in energy costs, make them a cost-effective choice.
The upfront costs of Passive Houses are influenced by the need for higher quality building components as per Passive House standards. However, these costs are offset by the elimination of expensive heating and cooling systems. Additionally, various financial support programs, increasingly available in many countries, make building a Passive House more economically viable.
Therefore, building a Passive House can be a financially sensible decision, both in the short term and over the long term, compared to constructing a conventional home.
Absolutely! Passive Houses offer substantial energy savings, with up to a 90% reduction in annual heating and cooling energy consumption. These savings can offset the upfront investment in high quality insulation, superior windows, and advanced ventilation systems. Additionally, Passive House owners benefit from better indoor air quality and overall comfort, factors that are challenging to quantify but contribute to the long-term value and quality of living.
Passive House construction aims to eliminate moisture migration through the building envelope by establishing a continuous air barrier. This barrier prevents the migration of moisture through walls and ceilings. Any moisture generated inside the home, such as from occupant activities like cooking or breathing, is efficiently managed by a continuously running Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) unit. In warm and humid climates, an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) unit is recommended to address humidity effectively.
No, not by our definition of a healthy home. Material selection is crucial for creating a healthy home, and Passive House does not specify the types of materials to use in order to achieve its standards. The types of materials selected are the key to a healthy home, and working with a designer that understands the options and how to integrate these selections into the overall goals is of great value. Coy’s Constructions focuses on choosing materials that have low or no VOC and materials that have low embodied carbon, have little to no off-gassing, and have reduced impacts on the environment—all elements that comprise a healthy home.
Absolutely! Passive House-certified buildings consistently demonstrate that they require very little energy for heating and cooling. During cold periods, a Passive House uses minimal heat, typically added to incoming fresh air through the ventilation system, to maintain a comfortable temperature. In warmer periods, strategic shading and ventilation are usually sufficient to keep the interior comfortably cool. In some warm, humid climates, a small-scale air conditioning system may be necessary. Measurements in Passive House subdivisions show that these homes consistently maintain predictably low energy requirements, regardless of occupant habits and lifestyles.
Energy-efficient Home
An energy-efficient home is a residence designed and built to consume less energy while maintaining or even improving comfort, health, and functionality. It typically involves using energy-saving technologies and practices to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
There are several benefits to making your home more energy-efficient, including lower utility bills, reduced environmental impact, increased comfort, improved indoor air quality, and potentially increased property value.
Common upgrades include adding insulation, sealing air leaks, installing energy-efficient windows and doors, upgrading HVAC systems, using LED lighting, and incorporating smart thermostats and appliances
You can improve insulation by adding insulation material in attics, walls, and floors. Common materials include fiberglass, cellulose, and foam insulation. It's important to ensure proper installation to maximize effectiveness. Sealing and insulating your building envelope is key to a comfortable home.
Air leaks can be sealed by using weatherstripping for doors and windows, caulking gaps and cracks, insulating electrical outlets, and adding door sweeps. A professional energy audit can help identify specific areas needing attention.
Energy-efficient windows and doors can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, leading to lower heating and cooling costs. They also improve indoor comfort and can reduce outside noise. Regardless of using high performance windows they are still the weakest point in your building envelope.
You can make your HVAC system more efficient by scheduling regular maintenance, upgrading to a more efficient system, using programmable thermostats, and keeping air filters clean.
A smart thermostat allows you to control your heating and cooling system remotely and program it to adjust temperatures based on your schedule. It can learn your preferences and optimize energy use, saving you money.
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program plays a crucial role in assisting Victorians in both reducing their power bills and mitigating carbon emissions. Within this program, households have the opportunity to benefit from valuable rebates and discounts on a variety of energy-saving products. Along with this some lenders offer reduced interest rates for energy efficient builds.
You can start by conducting a DIY energy audit or hiring a professional energy auditor. They will evaluate your home's energy performance and provide recommendations for improvements.
The ROI for energy-efficient upgrades varies depending on the specific improvements, energy costs in your area, and other factors. In many cases, these upgrades pay for themselves over time through energy savings.
Yes, it is possible to achieve net-zero energy consumption by combining energy-efficient design and technologies with renewable energy sources like solar panels. Net-zero homes produce as much energy as they consume.
Energy-efficient lighting options include LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs, CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs, and smart lighting systems that allow for precise control and scheduling.
Energy-efficient pool pumps such as heat pumps, solar pool heating, and pool covers are popular options to reduce the energy consumption of swimming pools.
Custom Home
The choice between buying an existing house and building a custom home depends on your preferences, circumstances, and priorities. Here are some considerations to help you decide:
Buying an Existing Home:
Opting for an existing house often proves more cost-effective and time-efficient than embarking on custom home construction. These houses are move-in ready, saving time otherwise spent on construction. However, existing houses come with predetermined layouts, designs, and finishes, which may have limitations compared to custom homes. While you can renovate and personalize, there are constraints.
Existing houses have established market values, making it easier to gauge their resale potential. Keep in mind that market fluctuations can affect resale value. You can choose from available houses in established neighborhoods, which often provide convenient access to schools, amenities, and services. Inspecting an existing house and reviewing its maintenance history can offer insights into its condition, helping you make an informed decision.
Building a Custom Home:
Opting for a custom home grants you the freedom to tailor every aspect to your preferences, resulting in a unique living space designed precisely for your needs and lifestyle. You maintain control over the choice of materials, construction methods, and craftsmanship, potentially resulting in a higher-quality home that meets your standards. Custom homes can incorporate the latest energy-efficient features, potentially reducing long-term utility costs and environmental impact.
Designed to address your current and future needs, a custom home offers long-term satisfaction and comfort, ensuring that your living space evolves with you. While you may need to secure a suitable plot of land, building a custom home allows you the flexibility to select a location that aligns with your vision, whether it's a rural setting or a unique piece of land. You have complete creative control over the design, enabling you to express your style and preferences throughout the home.
Custom homes readily accommodate modern smart home technologies and automation systems, enhancing convenience and security. Along with the orientation of the build you can also take into account the way the home faces to maximise sunlight and thermal mass. In summary, the decision between buying an existing house and building a custom home depends on factors such as budget, timeline, customization preferences, location, and long-term goals. It's essential to evaluate your priorities and consult with professionals to make an informed choice.
Building a custom home offers several compelling advantages. First and foremost, it allows you to tailor your living space to your exact preferences, lifestyle, and needs. You have complete control over the layout, architectural style, materials, and finishes, which results in constructing a house using high-quality materials and craftsmanship, ensuring a durable and reliable home. Additionally, you can incorporate the latest energy-efficient technologies and practices, which lead to reducing energy consumption, lowering utility bills, and having a smaller environmental footprint. The ability to optimize space, choose the perfect location, express creativity in design, and integrate modern technologies further enhances the appeal of building a custom home. Ultimately, building a custom home is an investment in long-term satisfaction and a unique living space tailored to the homeowner's desires and aspirations with a peace of mind warranty for your investment.
The time it takes to build a custom home can vary widely depending on several factors, including the size and complexity of the home, weather conditions, and local regulations. On average, constructing a custom home typically takes around 1 year from the start of the design phase to the final walkthrough and occupancy. However, larger or more intricate homes may take longer, while smaller and less complex designs may be completed more quickly.
The cost of a custom home can vary significantly based on a range of factors, including location, size, design complexity, chosen materials, and local labor costs. To determine the precise cost of your custom home, we collaborate closely with you right from the beginning to determine the most effective strategies for achieving your specified budget objectives for your custom home.
The first step in the process is to have an initial consultation over the phone with your builder, in this call we will ask you a series of important questions to gain an understanding of what you wish to achieve. From there, you will be able to either meet with our team onsite or proceed directly to having our building designer commence your concept plans.
Designing and quoting an extension/renovation, knockdown and rebuild, or a new build without a budget in mind is a bit like taking off in an airplane not knowing where you're headed. We never compromise on quality on your build. To ensure we can do this, we need to be open and honest with each other about the budget (from both sides) the whole way through the build process. We need to understand how much you are willing to invest to allow us to give you guidance.
We can assist you in arranging architectural plans, engineer plans, an energy report, and a soil test. We understand this can be costly, which is why we can provide you an educated estimate prior to going through the process through our on-site consultation.
Absolutely, there will always be opportunities to make changes along the way. These changes are called variations, and you will be provided with the cost associated with the variation and the opportunity to accept or decline that cost. It is important to note that changes to the actual design of the home may not always be possible after works have commenced due to council and building permit requirements.
We will provide flexibility where we can to allow clients to engage one or two tradespersons or suppliers of their choice for some aspects of the build, as long as we are made aware before construction commences and each tradesperson is fully licensed, insured, and adheres to our policies, procedures and schedule to ensure we can deliver your home on time and on budget.
Once a fixed-price has been provided, you will not be required to pay anything additional at the end of the build. You may choose to make variations along the way or leave aspects out of the fixed-price contract to complete down the track; however, these things will be very clearly communicated, and you will be required to agree in writing so there are never any surprises.
We understand that you would want to save some cost by supplying your own items for the project. However, by supplying your own items, you also take on responsibilities such as fixing any issues with the items, dealing with delays caused by your contractors, and managing warranties and damages. By taking in the builder’s margin, it covers any unforeseen expenses and invests in top-notch materials, ultimately safeguarding your investment and ensuring a successful construction journey.
