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Industry Shortages…Do you need to worry?
Labour shortages, price rises, scheduling delays…GASP! These things all sound bad, really bad. At Shelton Homes, we want to be fully transparent with you and believe that total disclosure is the only way we can build a relationship of trust.
Let’s just kick things off by saying that with all the curveballs thrown into the building industry over the last couple of years, we have kept our programs in place to maintain a 26-week build time. Everyone has heard horror stories about building new homes in the current climate, so we wanted to take the time and explain exactly what has been happening, and how we are responding to it.
Labour & Material Shortages
When building your dream home, it’s important to us to have an experienced team running every project. About 9% of Australia’s workforce is employed in the construction industry, however, staff turnover sits at around the 10% mark which poses a significant challenge IF the staff are unhappy. Shelton Homes was started by, you guessed it, the Sheltons. We are a family-owned and operated business with a focus on hiring and retaining a quality workforce.
We believe that people do their best work when they are happy, so why not keep it that way? By having streamlined processes and organised systems in place, we can ensure our team isn’t overworked and a good culture is maintained.
Although it has played a big part, Covid isn’t the only thing to blame for material shortages. There is the obvious backlog from supply chain issues with international suppliers that wreaked mayhem on the building industry over the last couple of years. That coupled with an increase in demand due to government grants and the economic strain of purchasing existing homes has meant there are large material shortages. Due to the 2019 bushfires that hit parts of Australia, there was extensive damage to timber plantations which added another layer of stress to the already struggling construction industry. While all these matters have exacerbated the issues at hand, we have worked hard to minimise the impact of these issues on our clients.
Price Rises
We won’t bore you with the details of supply and demand, but currently, in the building industry, the supply is low, and the demand is high which often leads to price rises. Almost every item used to build your dream home has increased in price. We aren’t happy about it either!
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics & Sydney Morning Herald
The price increases in materials have been enormous and while some builders may try to capitalise on this increase by hoisting their prices more than necessary, we want as many people as possible to live in their dream homes. Prices may have increased slightly to meet the industry prices, but you can bet your bottom dollar that we have kept our valued clients in mind and tried to keep the prices as low as possible.
Scheduling Delays
With supply issues, price rises and staff walking off-sites, many companies are still experiencing scheduling delays from initial contract to handover. We are not one of those companies. Everyone ‘knows someone’ that has had their build time pushed out a week or 2, then a month, then 4 months later and they still aren’t in their home. We have been doing this for over 25 years, so we’ve gotten pretty good at sticking to a schedule.
With an easy 6-step Design Process + 6-step construction process building your dream home with us can take as little as 26 weeks. By putting your trust in a local family-run business, your overall experience is personalised, and you see us face to face. You are welcome on-site anytime to check the progress of your build and understand which step in the process your home is up to.
Long story short, if you’re building with Shelton Homes, you made the right choice. If after reading this you're convinced that we are the builders for you, check out our designs here or tell us about your custom design.
Come home to a Queenslander!
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an onsite meeting, please feel free to email us using the form below.
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A bit of background around the 7 Stars.
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It all begins at the crack of dawn, a day in the life of a chippy.
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Standard cookie cutter home design? No thanks. Just throw it together without worrying about finer details? We’ll pass. No changes can be made to the base designs? Big no.
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It can be a daunting task we know; it is not just about choosing a shiny house design from a website, you are investing in a new home for you and your family. Your place in the world where you can work, play, entertain and unwind after a long day. A home that will make you smile when you drive up to it. We get it. Shelton Homes are award winning Queenslander home builders, and for the last 20 years have been building stunning, superior quality Queenslander homes in Toowoomba, Darling Downs and the surrounding regions. You can meet a few of our delighted clients here. We would love to build your dream home too, so put together a little article, eight reasons why you'll love working with Shelton Homes: 1. Award Winning Queenslander Homes The right home design can truly mean the difference between a house that does not quite 'fit', and having a home that feels like it is made exclusively for you and your family. Shelton Homes are unlike larger building companies, we are custom home builders in every sense of the word, working your needs and catering to every option, to ensure your new home perfectly compliments your lifestyle now, and in the exciting years to come. 2. A Home Built For Your Unique Land Queenslander homes truly reflect Australia’s natural beauty; our homes are designed to showcase and embrace your unique property and views, be it an urban block, sloping block or a large rural property. We never treat two properties the same, because they never are! Our team know the sustainability options for the Toowoomba and Darling Downs regions too, including those with healthy Queensland government rebates. Be sure to chat with us about solar, water tanks, waste disposal, and even introducing gorgeous gardens and native plants in and around your gorgeous new home. 3. Priced To Make Your Dream Home A Reality Shelton Homes are committed to building timeless Queenslander homes that exceed our client's expectations, but we also know what it is like to manage a budget. That is why we strive to provide each client with the utmost value for their dollar. Working within your budget, we will build your new Queenslander home that is a true statement of our commitment to superior quality craftsmanship. No matter what size home or budget you are working with, rest assured our team provide exceptional value. 4. A Local Toowoomba And Darling Downs Team At Shelton Homes, we proudly work where we live and have a lot riding on our reputation and strong community ties. For example, our kids attend local schools and play in Toowoomba and Darling Downs sports teams. We are locals too. That is why we are passionate about quality and customer care, not simply making a sale and moving on like many larger building companies sadly do. If you would like to know more about us, or even come in and meet the Shelton Homes team for a coffee, please feel free to get in touch with us. 5. An Easy, Stress-Free Building Process A respected builder should put you at ease from the very beginning. They should be open and honest and take the time to listen and discuss all of your ideas, opinions and concerns to make your home building experience enjoyable and stress-free. You can read more about our building process here if you like, a process we’ve created to ensure you'll love looking back and chatting about the beginnings of your beautiful new home, a great opener when entertaining guests. 6. No Question Is A Silly Question Larger companies are famous for their poor communication and support skills, like internet providers or health insurance companies where you will be waiting in line, talking to people whose only job is to answer phones, etc. Larger building companies can also be like this, and you might not even be able to talk to the builder and tradespeople actually building your home, not good. Shelton Homes however, provide a real personal approach where we actively invite you to come out and see our team building your home and ask questions, and no question is a silly question in our eyes! You can meet the Shelton Homes team if you like, and always feel free to ask us a questions if it is on your mind. 7. Quality That Lasts A Lifetime With impeccable craftsmanship and a 100% guarantee on our work, we only use the best local tradespeople around; labourers, landscapers, painters, decorators and suppliers who take great pride in their work. Our tradespeople know that attention to detail matters when it comes to building your dream home, and we do not cut corners for the sake of increasing profit margins because we know that doesn’t work. Our superior results, we believe, reflects our approach to quality first. 8. We Are A Passionate, Friendly Team At Shelton Homes, we love what we do, designing and building beautiful Queenslander homes that exceed our client's expectations, and we would like to work with you too! We were even thinking about calling this article 8 Reasons Shelton Homes Would Love To Work With You. If you are interested in chatting further about your dream Queenslander home, please just get in touch with the friendly team at Shelton Homes today.
We also offer something most builders don't, a 100% satisfaction guarantee to give you even further peace of mind. We guarantee that your new home will be delivered on schedule, on budget and completed to a superior quality standard. The key: Shelton Homes have created an outstanding design and construction process, derived from years of experience and commitment to ensure the home you’ve been dreaming of, is the one you'll soon be moving into. Here’s your step-by-step process that we use this for all projects, whether you’re building your new home in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs regions of Queensland, or anywhere else. 1. Initial Consultation Process After chatting with you on the phone, we’ll organise a viewing of your land. This includes examining all factors relevant to your build, including slope, drainage, block size, soil type, aspect, surrounding homes and availability of services. This consultation is important to initially understanding the technicals and viability of your Queenslander project. 2. Pricing Estimate And Signature Inclusions We’ll work closely with you to recommend a home design that will meet your needs, fits your site and perfectly suit your budget. A big part of this step is learning about your lifestyle and goals, like if you are looking to expand your family in the years to come. Between steps 1 and 2, we will already have an amazing understanding of your project and goals. 3. Preliminary Agreement This agreement is not a contract but is necessary for us to go ahead with more detailed technical planning including site surveys, soil tests and initial building approvals. 4. Your Queenslander Home Concept Drawings By drawing up and reviewing preliminary plans, you can start to get a feel for your new home. This stage is essential as it sets the foundation and style for your final construction drawings. 5. Input And Amendments After your feedback and input, our draftsman will take the concepts and make sure that the design is right for your land, your sense of style and your budget. 6. Construction Drawings, Specifications And Quote With the designs now finalised, we’ll provide you with a formal quote. This quote will include all costs associated with the inclusions list we've been working on. If you already have a quote with us and have any questions, big or small as you’re reviewing it, please always feel free to get in touch with us. 7. Your Approval And Selection Process At a meeting with you to cover the finer details, we’ll finalise the quote and all options we've been discussing. Any required changes are then made to ensure you are completely comfortable with moving to the engineering plans and beginning construction. 8. Detailed Engineering Plans Engineering plans are based on the construction drawings we have been working towards to suit your lifestyle and budget goals, but are more detailed for council approvals and our dedicated team of builders on site. Engineering plans take into account all of the technical, regulatory and environmental aspects. 9. Contract And Deposit At this stage, we are excitingly ready to go and commence construction. It’s now time to confirm the contracts which are industry standard Residential Contracts from the Master Builders Association. We then request a 5% deposit, as well as finalisation of your investment arrangements. It is however, common to have pre-approval at one of the early stages. 10. Council Submission Of Plans As a final step before construction, we will need the local Toowoomba or Darling Downs council’s approval. We’ll submit your construction plans and take care of all of the heavy lifting. We work closely with the local councils and usually expect their formal approval in around four weeks. 11. Construction Phase It’s time to start building! We’ll arrange a meeting to introduce you to your master builder and organise onsite meetings. You’ll be invited to give your input regularly, ensuring your peace of mind. Progress payments are required throughout the project as outlined in your contract and arranged with your financial provider. There are no surprises here, and we will be working closely throughout the entire construction phase. 12. Handover To Your New Queenslander Home This is the most exciting step! We’ll join you for a detailed inspection and walk-through of your new home, to make sure everything is perfect before finalising the paperwork, certificates, warranties and manuals, and answering any questions you may have before moving in. You will then have the keys and your new home to love and enjoy. If you would like to learn more about our award winning team, please feel free to contact the friendly team at Shelton Homes to arrange a free consultation, we'd love to hear from you!
Home inclusions can be a labyrinth if you are not prepared to evaluate them. For example, some builders include high-end kitchen appliances as part of their inclusions, others the most basic, and the list of differences goes on, and on. At Shelton Homes, we actually do not offer set inclusion packages or upgrades, instead, we ask you what you want. This just seems more personal and logical to us. So while we approach things a little differently, it is worth talking about 'home inclusions' if you are also considering another building company, especially a Brisbane mega home company. These big guys can get sneaky, and many larger builders will try to up-sell you after you have got a base home price, and remarkably even after you have signed a contract! Home Inclusions, What You Must Know Custom builders like Shelton Homes have allowances so you can choose your own inclusion brands if you like. But one thing to note with any builder, is that it is always best to buy from the builder’s recommended suppliers. Why? From our 20+ years experience, nightmares can occur if you buy online or outside of the Toowoomba/Brisbane region. Delivery costs increase, delays set in with the overall build schedule, and repairs and replacements are not covered under your builder’s warranty when you source your own inclusions. If you work with Shelton Homes, we will take the time to chat about the inclusions you want, and then build this into your fixed price contract so there are no surprises. Again, it comes down to caring we think, and if you are researching Shelton Homes, please feel free to see what our clients say about our approach here. What Are Standard Home Inclusions? Inclusions generally speaking, do not include items such as landscaping and gardens, footpaths or fencing, window furnishings like shutters, or removal of excess soil after excavation. Aside from that, everything else might be included in your inclusions. It varies significantly from builder to builder. Confusing? You bet. A good rule of thumb to combat these variations from other building companies, is to allow for several additions and upgrades. Again while Shelton Homes does not work this way, we would recommend that 75% goes towards the base price of your new home, and the other 25% is reserved for upgrades. Here Is Why: A display home often is not the home you are actually buying. They usually have a bunch of upgrades, such as nicer carpeting, higher quality light fittings, extra power points, better kitchen fittings (you name it). You will need to allow for the inclusions you want. If you do end up researching larger building companies, please put aside a few days to research and compare what inclusions are included. Why Do Different Builders Have Different Inclusions? In essence, different builders target different buyers and demographics. Some builders target singles, others families, others retirees. Many larger building companies even have ‘sub-brands’ with a different image to help sell more homes, like those that are marketed towards first home buyers. It really is a maze when you start diving into it, and that is another reason we do not offer set inclusion packages. We believe building your home should be a simple, enjoyable and transparent experience. Want To Know More About Inclusions? If you are looking to build a beautiful new Queenslander home in the Toowoomba or Darling Downs region that is designed around your lifestyle (including the inclusions you want), then please feel free to get in touch and contact our Shelton Homes team today.
You'll also have to find the right block of land if you don't have one already, and a trusted builder that can build within your budget, without any surprise add-ons along the way. It can quickly seem overwhelming, so to help, we've prepared an easy list to help you make sure your new home is on financial track. 1. Know Your Budget Inside Out This may seem obvious, but it's critical to know how much you have to spend now, and in 15-25 years time if you are taking out a mortgage. First, consider your current financial commitments and lifestyle, and look at some worst case scenarios, like what if you or your partner lost their job, what if you get sick, etc. Circumstances can quickly change and it's always best to be financially prepared, be it with insurances or savings to get you through any rough patches. Our recommendation is to do your research first, and then get advice from financial advisors or lenders. A mortgage advisor for example can tell you how much you can borrow, but they may tell you that you can afford more than suits your lifestyle, hence why doing your research first is important. 2. Choosing The Right Block Of Land Once you know your budget, you can start to look for vacant land in your desired location if you haven't bought land already. The type of block you choose will have a direct impact on the type of home designs that will be suitable. The factors that have the biggest bearing on costs include: - The size of your block - The slope of your block - The soil type You may also find that building costs will increase if your home requires complicated or reinforced foundations, or needs a unique design because of the slope of your land. Saying that though, Queenslander homes are perfect for sloping blocks. Other factors to consider are your local amenities, both the ones currently in your area and those that are planned for future development such as a hospital, schools, public transport and shops. Petrol and car maintenance is not cheap, so if you are going to have to spend a lot of time commuting, you need to take that into consideration too. 3. Write Down Your Ideas For Your Dream Home Whether you have a clear picture or just a few ideas of how you want your home to look, feel and function on the inside and out, it's always worth writing these down for discussions with your architect or builder. Your builder will be able to work through your list and flesh out your ideas with you, which means the end result will be your dream home, not the builders. Knowing what you want in your dream home is not always possible, but your wish list will set a perfect starting point to designing a home that’s within your budget. 4. Talk To Your Preferred Builder About Your Goals Choosing the right builder is one of the most important decisions you can make, and a decision that directly impacts your budget. By talking to your builder, you’ll find out what can be achieved within your budget, and what can't. A good builder will also help you focus on what’s important first, i.e. number of bedrooms or size of entertainment areas, and they can outline the benefits of sustainable living options such as water tanks, solar and energy efficient home designs. Try to think about the qualities you want in your builder and do some research to ensure other people have had great experiences with them already. Quality, trusted builders will have video testimonials and project galleries like these: Our Work 5. Start Contacting Builders For Quotes We've already touched on quotes above, but it needs to be stressed, take note of everything, including how long it takes the builders to provide the quote and their communication skills: - Are they asking the right questions? - How is their manner? - Do they seem relaxed and confident? - Are they working within your budget, or trying to push you? Use your gut instincts here too, because although we’re talking about budgets, the cheapest quote is not always the best option. Instead, consider choosing the builder that best suits your personality and has a proven record of building high-quality homes in your area. The cheapest option may end up costing you more in stress during the initial build, or be more expensive over the coming years if the quality level is not where it should be at. We hope that helps you on your home journey. Naturally if you would like to know more, especially about Queenslander homes, please feel free to get in touch with the friendly team at Shelton Homes today.
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