Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
and things to know when building a new home

It is important, when building a new home, that you select a builder that best suits your needs. Here are some of our FAQ’s and answers that will help you prior to starting the process with Ikona Developments.

Ikona Developments is a family business which is a huge advantage to anyone looking to build a home of their own. It is run by its owners and we take pride in building new homes that reflect the quality and attention to detail that is often lacking in mass produced homes, townhouses and apartments. Our service is best suited to people who may have built before and are looking to expand their property portfolio. However, we are also more than happy to help those clients who are new to building and need that extra special guidance. We do not offer unrealistic ‘from’ prices just to generate an enquiry. Although we can provide an inclusions list, generally our clients tell us what they require in their new home and we include that in the pricing.

Our prices include a finished home, with a range of inclusions to suit your style, type of block and budget. Volume builders and many other similar builders tend to sell their ranges from display homes, where the customer can pick from set styles and then package up options to get a particular model on their block with the inclusions they wish for.

Ikona Developments tend to build homes that the volume builders can’t build or do not wish to build due to the degree of difficulty or customisation. We are large enough to cater for all types of housing, whether it’s your design or a design we have developed together. We maintain a personal and professional service only found with smaller companies. You deal directly with the owners of the company from concept to completion.

When building a new home there will be costs associated with getting your block prepared for construction. These are referred to as site costs. In general, the more difficult the block the higher the site cost will be. Some examples of site costs would be excavation, demolition or tree removal and retaining walls. If a block does not have services or requires new services these costs would form part of the site costs. On new homes in new sub-divisions we include site costs. If you are looking at a knock down and rebuild, we include the majority of site costs. Occasionally council may require the installation of new services which then falls as the owner’s responsibility and not part of Ikona Developments costs. An example of this would be underground power or a new water tapping because the original no longer complies.

These are otherwise known as utilities and refer to things such as electricity, water, gas and sewerage. All new estates have services brought to the boundary of your block. If you are considering a knock down and rebuild home, additional services may be required or existing services may require upgrading. These can add costs to your building budget.  Ikona Developments prices include connections to existing services.

The fall of the land is basically the steepness of the block. Your block may be classified as either flat, moderately steep or steep. Building on moderate and steep blocks are often considered as difficult sites. Flat blocks tend to be cheaper to build on due to little or no site costs. Click here to view things to consider when building on a sloping block.

Flat blocks are usually built on a slab foundation. This is considered the simplest, quickest and most economical form of building. As the block becomes steeper additional work is required to get it prepared for construction. Preparation often involves excavation and depending on the degree of difficulty, retaining walls and in some cases a basement. Once the fall of the land exceeds a certain steepness a slab cannot be used and more traditional methods of construction are required which by nature are slower and require a greater investment. Typically, the steeper the block the higher the site costs will be for the build. Other things to consider with steep blocks are site access for deliveries and issues with the height of your home.

We are a custom home builder and work with you on your already prepared plans or we work with you to design your perfect home or investment. We do not have a price list because all of our beautiful homes are individual and customised based on either your design or a concept design we have developed together with you. We will always take into account your wants, needs, expectations and budget. We can provide estimates upon receiving all of the relevant information about your site and your home. Detailed prices are provided with a formal quote and usually include all of the requirements.

There are 4 things that affect the cost of a home.

  1. The size
  2. The complexity of the design
  3. The nature of the inclusions (basic, standard, luxury)
  4. The characteristics of the land (fall, orientation etc)

After careful consideration of all of these factors we can determine an estimation of your project cost.

A contemporary look is a modern look reflective of today’s architecture. Many new estates have guidelines or controls regarding the style of a home. Therefore, always familiarise yourself with the controls of your local council prior to purchase to ensure that you are able to build the home of your dreams.

Absolutely! This is something that can be discussed and included in your home. Your home can still look and feel good while minimising the negative impact on the environment.

A standard inclusion list is a list of items that are included in every home as a basic guide and starting position on a build. This is generally referred to for an estimated price and provides a good way of comparing what other builders have included in their price. We can provide our standard list of inclusions upon request. If you have your own design and would like an estimate, we recommend writing up a “wish list” to submit with your plans. We will then provide an all-inclusive estimate for the construction of your home based on the wish list. This will then reduce the need for any possible variations as we would have detailed most, if not all, of your requirements.

Yes, whether it is steep or has a gentle slope we can design a home to suit. In fact, we are known as experts at building on difficult blocks.

Building on sloping blocks usually costs more to prepare the site and in the method of construction. The end result can be stunning individual homes with versatile floor plans that are not possible on flat blocks.

With the increased demand in Sydney and scarcity of land we understand that sometimes land sizes can be quite small. We have experience in working with local councils in order to capitalise on these types of blocks. Designs can be adapted accordingly, however, we recommend checking the controls of your local council prior to purchase to determine what can be built on the block.

Our homes are completed with the landscape. All you do is collect the keys at the end.

Ikona Developments is a member of the Master Builders NSW Association and a member of the Association of Professional Builders. We use fixed price contracts that are consistent with current laws and regulations. It is the most beneficial contract for all parties involved.

This is dependant on several factors: relevant approvals from council, funding approval from your lender, signed contract and our construction time slot availability. In all cases we aim to start as soon as possible depending on your individual circumstances and needs.

The construction period for a standard double storey home of approximately 250m2 is around 8 months. The complexity, size and inclusions of the home can affect the length of the construction period. The term in the building contract takes into consideration the specific requirements of your home and site. For difficult sites the construction period can take up to 12 months.

We guarantee a Home Building Warranty Insurance certificate with each contract. This certificate of insurance covers major defects for a period of up to 6 years after the completion date and 2 years for all other minor defects after the completion date. We can also guarantee your moving in date on the day we start construction. We never build more than 10 homes at any one time. This ensures you receive the best attention and that your home is built to award-winning standards within the timeframe guaranteed. In addition, all of our homes must pass a 100 point quality control checklist before we handover the key.

All of our updates are sent via email correspondence and our clients can view progress via our online system. We do not recommend site visits due to occupational, health and safety regulations.

Absolutely! Communication is key and working in partnership with our clients is critical to our success. Regular updates are sent via emails and you will have access to an online system that will keep you updated and informed.

Call now for any further questions or to talk to us about your ideal home 1800 517 330.

Ikona Developments is dedicated to your project. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Scroll to Top