The real cost of building that goes beyond your contract price

Building a custom home should be exciting, not financially stressful. Yet too many South Australian families face unexpected costs that can add tens of thousands to their budget. We believe in honest conversations early because transparency builds trust.

After building over 4,000 homes across South Australia, we've learned that being upfront about potential costs saves everyone stress and money.

Common unexpected expenses

Rock excavation: South Australia's geology is unpredictable. What looks like a simple dig can become a costly rock removal project. We assess every site and discuss this possibility during initial planning.

Structural steel requirements: Large open spaces or high ceilings sometimes need more support than timber framing provides. We identify these requirements during design rather than surprising you with variations later.

Energy efficiency upgrades:  Meeting building standards often requires double glazing, upgraded insulation or premium appliances. These aren't optional extras, they're necessary for compliance. Discussing these requirements early means you can factor them into your budget from the start, rather than discovering them halfway through the build when it's too late to adjust.

Service connections:  Connecting to electricity, gas, water and sewerage isn't always straightforward. Distance from existing services or site-specific requirements can impact costs significantly. We investigate connection requirements for your specific block early in the process, so there are no surprises when it's time to connect your home.

Site challenges: Every block is different. Slope, access, soil conditions and neighbouring properties all influence costs. Our experience helps us spot potential issues before they become expensive surprises.

Why we do things differently

We take longer with initial pricing because we're thorough. While other builders provide quick estimates to get you signed up, we dig deeper into potential challenges. We consider worst-case scenarios and discuss allowances openly.

This means our preliminary pricing is more accurate from the start. We'd rather have difficult budget conversations upfront than surprise you with variations later. Sometimes this leads to tough discussions about design changes, but it means you make informed decisions.

Questions to ask any builder

When comparing builders, ask these essential questions:

• Have you allowed for potential rock excavation in your quote, or will this be an additional cost if we encounter rock?
• If my design requires structural steel, is this included in your price or will it be a variation?
• Are energy efficiency upgrades like double glazing and premium insulation included, or are these additional costs?
• Have you factored in service connection costs based on my specific block, or could these be extra?
• What's your policy when unexpected site conditions arise – are there allowances built in or will I face surprise costs?
• Can you show me exactly what worst-case scenarios you've considered and how you've allowed for them?

The best builders welcome these direct questions and provide detailed, honest answers about what they have and haven't included. If a builder seems uncomfortable discussing potential costs or gives vague responses about "we'll deal with that if it happens," that's a red flag.

Building with confidence

At Oakford Homes, we believe informed clients make better decisions and have better building experiences. After 40+ years in the industry, we've learned that honest conversations upfront save stress and money later.

If you're considering building and have questions about costs, allowances or anything else, we're happy to have a chat about your project, no pressure, just honest advice. We also offer complimentary design consultations where you can explore our designs, discuss modifications or talk through custom design options.