3 ways to stay informed during your home building project
Most homeowners think staying in control of their build is about requesting the right documents at the right time.
They set up systems to track invoices. They ask for weekly progress reports. They request photos and updates.
But six months into their build, they're still confused, anxious, and watching costs creep up.
Here's what they assumed: that transparency comes from good communication habits during the build.
Here's what's actually true:
Transparency comes from contract clauses you negotiate before you sign
I worked with Sarah, a mum building her family's forever home in regional Victoria. She was organised, proactive, the kind of person who colour codes her calendar.
She set up fortnightly check ins with her builder. She created a shared folder for all documents. She even had a checklist of what to ask for at each stage.
But when unexpected costs started appearing, her systems didn't help. The builder would say "that's covered in clause 12" or "this falls under variations as per the contract." Sarah would scramble to find the relevant section, only to discover the wording was vague enough that the builder could justify almost anything.
Her communication system was perfect. Her contract protection was not.
What you're actually missing
The building contract isn't just paperwork that formalises your arrangement. It's the rulebook that determines what information you're entitled to, when you get it, and what happens if things go wrong.
Most contracts are written to protect the builder, not you. They're full of phrases like "reasonable timeframes" and "industry standard" that sound fine until you need to enforce them.
A quality build comes from a quality contract. Not from hoping your builder will be transparent out of goodness.
The clauses that actually create transparency
When I reviewed Sarah's contract before she signed (on her second build), we added specific clauses that changed everything:
A start date clause that required work to begin within 14 days of signing, not "when suitable"
A cost transparency clause that listed the exact 8 scenarios that could trigger additional costs, nothing else
A quality process clause that outlined the specific steps for fixing issues, including who pays and the timeframe
A weekly progress report requirement, built into the contract itself
These weren't "nice to haves." They were contractual obligations.
When a potential variation came up, Sarah didn't have to request information or hope for honesty. She could point to the contract and say "according to section 4.2, this doesn't qualify as a variation because it falls within the scope of original plans."
She saved over $18,000 in costs that would have slipped through on her first build.
What happens when you get this right
Understanding your contract is a superpower. It transforms you from someone hoping for transparency to someone who has it guaranteed in writing.
You're not chasing information. You're entitled to it.
You're not managing by personality and hoping your builder is reasonable. You're managing by contract terms that define what reasonable actually means.
You stop feeling like you're on the back foot, reacting to whatever the builder tells you. You start feeling like you're in the driver's seat, because you are.
What to do next
If you haven't signed your contract yet, this is your moment.
Most people think the contract is standard and nothing can change. That's exactly what keeps them stuck paying for extras they shouldn't, dealing with delays that could've been prevented, and feeling powerless when issues come up.
Industry standard doesn't mean safe. The risk isn't the template, it's the details.
I help homeowners review their contracts before signing so they can spot the gaps, understand the clauses that matter, and negotiate the protections that actually keep your build on track and on budget.
My Building Contract Health Checks walk you through your HIA or Master Builders contract (from any state in Australia) and show you exactly where the risks are hiding and what to do about them.
You'll walk away knowing which clauses avoid hidden costs, where your contract allows for price increases, and how to sign with real confidence that you're protected.
This is for people who want to understand their contract, not just skim it. People who want education on what makes a good contract and what to watch out for. People who want to feel prepared, not just hopeful.
Check out my Building Contract Health Checks and let's make sure your contract actually works for you.
Happy building 💚
Annelyse
