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PLANNING TO BUILD A NEW HOME IN AUSTRALIA?

I'LL HELP YOU

GET IT BUILT RIGHT

Choosing the right builder, understanding your contract, and independent inspections throughout your build.

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Independent New Build Advocate

THE TWO THINGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE NERVOUS ABOUT BUILDING

YOU'VE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE

You're making big decisions about something new. Which builder? Which plan? What's included and what isn't? It's hard to know the right questions to ask, especially if you’ve never built before.

YOU CAN'T SEE MOST OF THE WORK

A house gets built in layers. The frame goes up, then it's covered by insulation and plaster. The wet areas get waterproofed, then tiled over. Every trade covers the work of the one before it.

So if something isn't done properly, it gets hidden. Not on purpose. It just gets built over.

Most builders want to hand over a home they're proud of. But nobody can watch every trade, every day, on every job. That's why some problems are never found during the build. They're found years later, by whoever's living there.

THE SOLUTION:

CLARITY BEFORE YOU COMMIT. INDEPENDENT CHECKS WHILE YOU BUILD.

Independent new build advocate supporting a couple at a new home build under construction, sharing plans on a tablet.

Building a new home is much easier when you have someone helping you make sense of the decisions at the beginning, and independent inspectors checking the important stages before the work gets covered over.

That’s where New Build Assist comes in.

I help you plan properly before you choose a builder, understand what you’re agreeing to before you sign, and arrange independent inspections throughout construction.

How New Build Assist supports your journey:

  • Confident Planning: Work through your budget, land, design needs, and priorities before you start making commitments.

  • Builder Matching: Compare builders that suit what you want to build, where you want to build, and what you can realistically spend.

  • Contract Clarity: Go through your builder's contract so you understand the inclusions, allowances, and anything that needs clarification before you sign.

  • Independent Inspections: Arrange independent inspections at the important stages of construction, giving you another set of qualified eyes on the build before work gets covered over.

    • The aim is simple: better decisions before construction starts, fewer unknowns while it is underway, and someone there to help you navigate the process from beginning to end.

    WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE IN PRACTICE

    You don’t need to become an expert in building a home. You just need the right things looked at, asked, and understood at the right time.

    Before you choose a builder
    We work out what matters most to you, where you’re willing to compromise, and what you don’t want to compromise on. That gives us a much clearer picture of what to look for in a builder and home design, rather than starting with whoever has the nicest display home or the cheapest advertised price..

    Before you sign

    We go through what the builder is proposing so you understand what’s included, what isn’t, where allowances have been made, and what could still change the final cost. The aim is not to tell you whether to sign a contract. It’s to help you understand what you’re signing before you do.

    While your home is being built

    I arrange independent inspections at the stages where important work can still be seen, giving potential issues a chance to be identified before they're covered over. If something comes up during the build that you don’t understand, you’ll have someone independent who’s familiar with the process to talk it through with, rather than trying to work it out on your own, or wondering whether something is normal or worth questioning.

    From the first decisions through to the build itself, the idea is simple: more confidence in the decisions you’re making, fewer surprises, and greater certainty throughout your build.

    HOW NEW BUILD ASSIST IS PAID

    If you decide to go ahead with a builder that I introduce you to, that builder pays me a referral fee.

    How that fee is funded can differ from one builder to another. Some builders may absorb it as part of their marketing costs. Others may include it in the price of your build.

    Either way, I’ll explain how the fee is being funded and whether it affects your build price before you make a commitment.

    My fee is the same whichever builder you choose, so I've got no reason to point you anywhere except where you should actually go.

    If I can’t find a builder that suits you, or you decide not to build, that’s where it ends. No hard feelings and no cost to you.

    WHY QUALITY BUILDERS VALUE THIS APPROACH

    Good builders want well-prepared clients, clear expectations and a smooth building process.

    New Build Assist helps with that before construction even begins by helping clients understand what they are committing to, what to expect throughout the process, and what questions need to be resolved before they sign.

    During construction, independent inspections provide another qualified set of eyes at important stages of the build. They don't replace the builder's site manager. They simply add another layer of checking that can help identify issues while they are easier to address.

    The aim is a better-informed client, clearer communication and a smoother building experience for everyone involved.

    Happy family in front of their newly built home

    READY TO PLAN YOUR BUILD WITH MORE CONFIDENCE?

    If you’re thinking about building a new home and haven’t chosen a builder yet, let’s talk about what you’re planning.

    I can help you work through the early decisions, compare suitable builders, understand what you’re agreeing to, and arrange independent inspections throughout your build.

    Book a Time to Talk

    MEET LUKE: YOUR NEW BUILD ADVOCATE

    I’m Luke, founder of New Build Assist.

    I’ve spent more than 20 years working in construction, much of it on the tools, across residential and commercial projects.

    That experience has given me a practical understanding of how homes are built, where problems can arise, and how important it is to get the right questions answered before decisions are locked in.

    I also know what the process feels like from the homeowner’s side. I had my own home built in 2006 and learned firsthand how valuable independent inspections can be when things don’t go as planned.

    Today, I use my experience to help people make more informed decisions before and during their build, while independent inspectors provide the technical checks at the important stages of construction.

    More About Luke & New Build Assist

    Luke Dodson, founder of New Build Assist and expert building advocate for Australian homeowners.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    How does the New Build Assist process work?

    It starts with understanding what you want to build, where you want to build, what matters most to you, and what you can realistically spend.

    From there, I help you work through suitable designs and builders, understand what’s being proposed before you sign, and arrange independent inspections throughout construction.

    The idea is to give you guidance at the points where important decisions need to be made, rather than leaving you to work everything out as you go.

    How is New Build Assist paid?

    If you decide to go ahead with a builder that I introduce you to, that builder pays me a referral fee.

    How that fee is funded can differ from one builder to another. Some builders may absorb it as part of their marketing costs. Others may include it in the price of your build.


    Either way, I’ll explain how the fee is being funded and whether it affects your build price before you make a commitment.


    If I can’t find a builder that suits you, or you decide not to build, that’s where it ends. No hard feelings and no cost to you.

    Who pays for the independent inspections?

    The inspections are carried out by independent third-party building inspectors and are paid for directly by you.


    The total cost will depend on the inspection company, your home, and the number of inspection stages required.


    I’ll explain the expected inspection costs before you commit to the New Build Assist process so you know what to allow for in your budget.

    What stages of the build are inspected?

    The aim is to have independent inspection coverage at all of the important stages where work can still be checked before it is covered over.


    This generally includes:

    • Pre-slab
    • Frame
    • Waterproofing
    • Pre-plaster
    • Fixing
    • Practical completion
    • End of defects period


    Different inspection companies may call these different things and combine some of these into fewer visits, so the exact schedule can vary depending on the inspector and the type of home being built.


    You’ll also receive the inspector’s report so you can see what has been identified at each stage.

    What if I'm not finance-ready yet?

    That’s fine.

    Before comparing builders, it helps to have a realistic idea of what you can afford to spend. You don’t necessarily need to have everything finalised, but you do need enough budget clarity for us to know what is realistically achievable.

    If you need help establishing your borrowing capacity or arranging finance, I can help you find a mortgage broker.

    What types of homes do you help with?

    New Build Assist can help with a wide range of new home projects, including:


    For most projects where you don't already own land (excluding off-the-plan apartments/townhouses), I can also help you find a suitable block as part of the overall process.

    Can you help me find land?

    Yes.


    If you don’t already own land, I can include land in the planning process.


    The important part is making sure the land, home design, builder and overall budget work together rather than treating each one as a separate decision.

    Where can you help me build?

    New Build Assist is available Australia-wide.


    Builder and inspection availability varies by location, particularly in more remote areas, so the best way to confirm what options may be available is to get in touch and tell me where you’re planning to build.

    How do you choose which builders to consider?

    There isn’t one builder that is right for every project.


    I look at factors such as the type of home you want to build, your location, budget, design requirements, builder experience, licensing and company information, track record, and overall suitability for your project.


    I can only introduce builders who are willing to work with New Build Assist, but I’ll be transparent about the options available and how each builder fits what you’re trying to achieve.

    What if I already have a builder in mind?

    That depends on how far you’ve progressed with them.


    If you’ve already signed a contract or established a direct relationship with the builder, I may not be able to provide the full New Build Assist service through that builder.


    If you’re still at an early stage, get in touch before making any further commitments and I can explain what options are available.

    What if a builder I want to use doesn’t work with New Build Assist?

    That’s okay. Not every builder will choose to work with New Build Assist.

    The full service relies on the builder being willing to work with me, so if they aren’t, I’ll explain what that means and what options are still available.

    If the builder doesn’t want New Build Assist involved at all, I won’t try to force the arrangement. I don’t want you caught in the middle of unnecessary conflict between your builder and your advocate.

    In that situation, I wouldn’t be able to support your build with that builder, and you could decide whether to continue with them independently or consider other options.

    What happens if a problem comes up during construction?

    Your building contract remains directly between you and your builder.


    My role is to help you understand what’s happening, talk through questions or concerns, and coordinate the independent inspections.


    If an issue comes up, whether through an inspection or during the build itself, I’ll help you understand the situation and raise it with the builder in a calm and constructive way.


    I’m there to advocate for you and do what I reasonably can to help get issues resolved early, before they turn into bigger problems or unnecessary disputes.


    I’m not a solicitor, building inspector or dispute mediator, so if something requires specialist legal or technical advice, I’ll recommend that you obtain it.

    Why use New Build Assist instead of going directly to builders myself?

    You absolutely can go directly to builders yourself.


    The difference is that you’ll be making those decisions, comparing options, working through contracts, and managing questions during the build on your own.


    New Build Assist gives you someone independent to help you work through those decisions, compare suitable builders, understand what you’re agreeing to, and arrange independent inspections throughout construction.


    It can save you time, reduce uncertainty, and give you another experienced perspective before important decisions are made.


    The aim isn’t to replace the builder. It’s to make sure you have someone on your side throughout the process.

    Couple confidently starting their easy new home build journey with New Build Assist.

    GETTING STARTED IS EASY

    1

    Book a Time to Talk

    Tell me what you’re planning, where you’re up to, and what you’d like help with.

    2

    See If New Build Assist Is a Good Fit

    We’ll talk through your situation, your budget and your plans. If I think I can help, I’ll explain what happens next. If not, I’ll tell you that too.

    3

    Start Planning Your Build

    If you decide to proceed, we’ll start working through the decisions that need to be made before choosing a builder.

    Book a Time to Talk
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    Luke Dodson T/A New Build Assist

    ABN 13 340 913 083
    Real Estate Agent Licence No. 4366758
    PO Box 1450 Broadbeach Qld 4218

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