DIY projects that can save you money building a new home
Most people building a new home think the smart move is adding all their dream finishes into the contract upfront.
Extra downlights in the living room? Add it to the contract.
Fancy door handles? Put it in the contract.
VJ panelling in the bedroom? Yep, contract variation.
Here's what happens next: your builder quotes you $800 for downlights you could install yourself for $200. That "small" upgrade to better skirting boards? Another $2,000. By the time you've added up all these little personalisation touches, you've blown your budget before a single slab is poured.
But here's the thing no one tells you: every change you request during construction isn't just more expensive, it's a formal variation to your building contract.
And variations do three things that hurt you:
They add builder markup (often 20 to 30% on top of actual costs)
They extend your timeline (yes, even "small" changes can delay handover)
They eat into your contingency budget that you'll desperately need for actual problems
I've worked with hundreds of clients reviewing HIA and Master Builders contracts, and I see this pattern constantly. People think they're being proactive by customising everything upfront. What they're actually doing is giving away their negotiating power and financial flexibility.
What really protects your build? A contract that anticipates problems, not one loaded with upgrades.
The homeowners who end up happiest aren't the ones who specified every light fitting in their contract. They're the ones who:
Kept their contract tight and focused on structural quality
Saved their budget for the inevitable issues that come up (because they always do)
Understood which clauses in their contract actually protect them from cost blowouts
Tackled aesthetic upgrades after handover, when they had full control
Let me tell you about Sarah, a client I worked with last year. She came to me with a contract that had 14 variations already written in, mostly cosmetic stuff like upgraded tapware and fancy light switches. Her builder had quoted her $8,500 for these "extras."
We stripped most of them out and she tackled them herself after moving in. Total cost? Under $2,000. And because we freed up that contract budget, when she discovered a genuine issue with her waterproofing during construction, she had the financial room to address it properly without going over budget.
The money she saved wasn't the best part. It was the peace of mind from knowing her contract focused on what actually matters: quality construction standards, clear timeframes, and protection from genuine cost blowouts.
5 projects you can absolutely do yourself after moving in
These are the upgrades people most commonly request as variations during construction. Each one costs significantly more when done through your builder, and none of them need to be in your contract.
1. Installing extra LED downlights
Builder's variation cost: $600 to $1,200 per room
DIY cost: $150 to $300 per room
Lighting is one of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make after handover. Your electrician will charge a fraction of what your builder quotes, and you'll have time to actually live in the space and see where you need more light.
2. Replacing skirting boards
Builder's variation cost: $2,000 to $4,000 for a standard home
DIY cost: $500 to $1,000 in materials, one weekend of work
This is a simple weekend project that completely transforms the look of your home. During construction, it's marked up heavily because it's considered a "custom finish." After handover, it's just timber and a nail gun.
3. Installing VJ panelling
Builder's variation cost: $1,500 to $3,000 per room
DIY cost: $400 to $800 per room
VJ panelling is having a moment, and builders know it. They'll charge premium prices for what's actually a straightforward installation. Plus, doing it yourself after you move in means you can see exactly which walls would benefit most from the feature.
4. Upgrading door and cabinet hardware
Builder's variation cost: $1,200 to $2,500
DIY cost: $300 to $600
This is probably the easiest DIY project on this list. New handles on doors and cabinetry take minutes to install and completely change the feel of your home. There's zero reason to pay builder markup on this.
5. Installing pet doors
Builder's variation cost: $800 to $1,500
DIY cost: $150 to $400
Pet doors are practical, but they're not structural. Having them installed after handover is much more affordable and gives you time to figure out the best placement based on how your pets actually use the space.
The real question isn't what to DIY. It's what your contract is actually protecting you from.
Here's what I've learned from reviewing hundreds of building contracts: the homeowners who feel confident and in control aren't the ones with the longest, most detailed contracts. They're the ones who understand what's actually in there.
They know which clauses prevent cost blowouts.
They know which timelines are realistic and which ones leave them exposed.
They know where the builder has wiggle room to charge more, and where they're locked in.
Most importantly, they know what to save their budget for. And it's not downlights.
Every dollar you spend on unnecessary contract variations is a dollar you won't have when something genuinely important comes up during your build. And something always comes up.
The building contract has surprising ways to avoid extra costs and delays, but most people never spot them because they're too focused on the cosmetic stuff. Understanding your contract is genuinely a superpower, and it's one you need before you sign, not after things go wrong.
What happens when you get your contract right from the start
When I do a Building Contract Health Check with clients, we're not just looking at price. We're looking at:
Where your contract allows for price increases (and how to close those gaps)
Which clauses actually keep your build on schedule
What "industry standard" terms are costing you (hint: standard doesn't mean safe)
Where you have real leverage if something goes wrong
The goal isn't to have the perfect contract. It's to have a contract you understand, so you can make confident decisions throughout your build.
And then, when you move in and you've stayed on budget because you didn't blow it on overpriced variations? You can spend that saved money on the fun stuff, the DIY projects that actually make the house feel like yours.
That's when you install those downlights. That's when you upgrade the door handles. That's when you have the time and budget to make thoughtful decisions about what your home actually needs.
Protect your build before you sign
If you're about to sign a building contract, or you've just received one and you're not sure what you're looking at, let's chat.
A Building Contract Health Check shows you:
Exactly where your contract allows for cost blowouts (so you can address them now)
Which clauses protect you from delays and which ones leave you exposed
What "standard" terms are actually negotiable
Where to focus your budget for maximum protection
This isn't about being difficult or suspicious of your builder. It's about understanding what you're signing and making sure your contract works for you, not against you.
You can save thousands by spotting the hidden risks before you sign.
