You've been dreaming of building your own home for years and you're finally ready. Congratulations! Now the real work begins.

Before you start picking paint colours or flooring, step back and think about what really matters: the spaces and features that will suit your lifestyle now and for years to come. It's a big investment, so get the fundamentals right first.

Here are the four most important things to consider before you start.

1. Budget

Set a realistic budget and stick to it. Get pre-approved for finance, then list every cost, not just the land and the build price. The ones that catch Queensland buyers out are:
• Site costs (excavation, retaining, rock, extra piers or slab upgrades)
• Transfer (stamp) duty on the land
• QBCC Home Warranty insurance
• Council and utility connection fees
• Independent stage inspections
• A contingency of 10 to 15%
Spending a bit more upfront on durable materials and efficient systems usually saves money later. Our checklists, including C1 (before buying land) and C20 (designing your new home), walk you through what to check.

2. Timeline

Allow about 9 months for design, approvals and finance, then around 3 to 6 months on site for a standard single-storey home in South East Queensland (longer for double-storey or custom homes). Build in a buffer for weather, inspections and supply delays, and plan where you'll live in the meantime.

With a realistic budget and timeline in place before you start, you'll feel in control and there'll be fewer nasty surprises along the way.

3. Choose the Right Location and Block

Your location and block size are two of the biggest decisions you'll make. Think about how much space you need for the house and outdoor areas. A bigger block gives you more flexibility, but costs more to buy and maintain.

Consider things like:

  • Access to amenities: Pick a spot within a reasonable distance of schools, public transit, shopping, etc. Unless you want a rural retreat, proximity to infrastructure is key.
  • Views and surroundings: Water, bush or park views? Or lots of privacy? Choose a block that suits you.
  • Future development: Check if there are any proposed residential or commercial builds nearby that could affect your property value or peace and quiet in years to come.
  • Block orientation: In Australia, north-facing rooms get the most winter sun, so aim for your living areas and backyard to face north.
  • Easements and services: Make sure easements (like sewer or power lines) won't get in the way of where you want to build, and check every service can be connected to the block.
  • Natural features: Consider how you might incorporate existing trees, greenery and land contours into your design. It's best to work with the natural landscape rather than against it.

The right block size depends on your needs and local planning rules. Leave room for a garden, parking and play. You can't have too much land, but you can certainly have too little!

4. Decide on Home Design and Floor Plan

Choosing a design and floor plan that suits how you live is one of the biggest decisions in the process. Think about how you live now and how you'll use the space in future.

Do you prefer open-plan living or a more traditional design with separate rooms? Open plan suits a social lifestyle, while separate rooms give more privacy. Think about how each area will be used and how the spaces flow together.

Consider both single-storey and double-storey designs. A double-storey home can capture views and space on a smaller block, but it means stairs. A single-storey home has everything on one level, which suits mobility and ageing in place.

Work out how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need now and as your family grows. Spare bedrooms make good offices, hobby rooms or guest rooms, and extra bathrooms ease the morning rush.

Don't forget storage, parking and outdoor living. Good storage, a decent garage and covered outdoor areas all extend your living space.

To work out and prioritise your wants, needs and nice-to-haves, read our post on MoSCoW (Must, Should, Could, Won't have). Note: it's not about Russia. READ IT HERE

The Bottom Line

Taking the time to think these four things through means you'll end up with a home that suits you.

Focus on how you want to live, not on trends or what the neighbours are doing. This is your chance to create a space that suits you down to the ground.