Anthony Painter
C4 Checklist: Choosing Your builder
Context
After using our C4 Asking the Right Questions Checklist to interview your shortlist of builders and finding one you like, what's next?
Next, you'll pay an initial deposit to the builder to lock in the pricing, standard design and inclusions for your chosen floor plan.
Before you make this payment, your salesperson or builder will provide you with a Preliminary Service Agreement (PSA) and an Electronic Consent Form to sign.
The PSA outlines the specific tasks the builder will do for the initial deposit. The tasks that they will complete are generally as follows:
C4 - Asking the Right Questions Checklist
$59.00 AUD
Last updated 5 Oct 2026 · Revision 1 · Free updates for life
Checklist Type: Minor
Form Factor: Fillable, print-ready PDF (A4, 15 pages) plus the C4 Explainer PDF (35 pages)
When to use: Choosing a builder (before you pay a deposit or sign)
102 questions to ask every builder on your shortlist, including a visual check of one of their current sites. Compare like for like and choose your builder with confidence before you pay a deposit.
- Contours: A surveyor attends site and "maps" out the land gradient and features, services present, fences, trees, presence of soil stockpiles onsite.
- Soil Test: A geotechnical engineer sends a drilling rig to site to bore into the ground in at least two locations. They test and analyse the soil samples to provide you with a soil report that tells you the soil classification of your site. This is important because it determines the details of your foundation system (how beefy it needs to be).
Anthony Painter
Deeper dive into contours with examples including compaction certificate, soil test, contours
Anthony Painter
All about soil tests!
The Electronic Consent Form requires your approval and contact details (such as email) so the builder can communicate with you electronically.
You'll sign these documents and pay the initial deposit at the same time, typically $1,000 to $2,000, usually by EFTPOS or bank transfer. This deposit is usually non-refundable, but it's normally credited against your contract deposit if you go ahead. Confirm that in writing.
Once the soil test and survey are back, the builder sites the house on your block and prepares a preliminary estimate (sometimes called a preliminary budget) that includes the site costs. Go through it carefully: it's your last easy chance to make design changes before the contract documents are drawn up.
Real Life Example
You can sign and deposit multiple PSA agreements with different builders to obtain initial estimates from each. This allows you to compare inclusions, allowances, and site-specific charges side by side.
It's a great way to see which builder gives the clearest, most detailed estimate upfront, and to test their communication and documentation. Is it clear and unambiguous? Do they explain everything properly?
If you go with multiple PSAs, keep in mind that you’ll need to pay two deposits—and you’ll forfeit one when you choose your preferred builder.
A smarter approach is to stagger your PSA deposits.
Pay one builder to complete the core tasks, like the soil test and contour survey. Then take those results to the second builder and negotiate a lower deposit, since those items are already done. That way the second builder only needs to do the siting and estimate, and you can compare both builders' site costs side by side.
The catch: check that your first PSA says you get copies of the soil report and contour survey and can use them elsewhere. Some builders will only accept reports from their own consultants, so ask before you rely on this.
Creating Leverage Through Double Deposits
This approach gives you leverage, because it makes it clear the builder has to earn your business. I've seen it work exceptionally well for clients chasing the best contract price. Salespeople hate it, but it pushes them to fight harder with their admin team for a better deal when they know they're competing for your signature.
Project builders don’t like this tactic, but it’s the most effective way to get the best price from builders who sell "value-driven" products. It forces them to prove their worth by clearly demonstrating why they offer more value than their competitors.
Practical Tools
The PSA Document
An Example of the PSA - Preliminary Service Agreement, what it says and the tasks/actions created from signing it.
Electronic Consent Form
An example of an electronic consent form (below). You should always sign one of these or agree to a clause in your contract to confirm that you consent to receive electronic communications. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with snail mail! 😄
Test yourself
Four quick questions on this topic. Click a question to see the answer.
What is the purpose of the Preliminary Service Agreement (PSA) in a construction project?
To outline the services provided and their costs.
What is the first step after signing and paying for the PSA?
Conducting soil tests and contour surveys.
Why is it important to review the preliminary budget thoroughly?
It is the last opportunity to make design changes before contract documents are prepared.
Why is the PSA payment non-refundable once made?
Because the builder engages and pays for services specific to your site that cannot be repurposed or reused elsewhere.
Find Out More
For a detailed breakdown of the PSA, what it contains and what happens after you sign it, read the full post below.
Anthony Painter
Detailed explainer of the PSA document and the tasks, costs around it.
Anthony Painter
High level explainer of the PSA
