Construction is the stage where your plans stop being drawings and start becoming walls, rooflines, and rooms. It's one of the most exciting parts of the build, and often one of the most stressful, as progress becomes visible but making changes gets harder and more expensive.
The build typically moves through defined stages: site preparation, slab, framing, roofing, lock-up, fit-out, and practical completion. Each stage triggers a progress payment, so understanding what's happening and when is important for both your cash flow and your peace of mind.
Site works are often where significant early costs land. Excavation, retaining walls, drainage, and service connections are all driven by the specific conditions of your block, and soil type, slope, and access can all push these costs up in ways that weren't obvious at the time of purchase.
Inspections are carried out at key stages throughout construction to ensure compliance with building standards. Staying in regular communication with your builder during this phase helps manage expectations, track any variations, and deal with delays before they compound.
This section of BuildWiki helps you understand what to expect at each construction stage, what site works typically involve, and how to stay informed without micromanaging a process that works best when everyone knows their role.