Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to a few questions that we come across frequently. Please feel free to contact us if you have any specific question in mind

Specialist Disability Accommodation

1) Is my investment underwritten or guaranteed by NDIS or the government?
Short answer is NO. NDIS is government funded and backed for the participant (tenant). So, if as a landlord, you build a house to SDA standards, and a funded participant wishes to move into, considerable rent compensation is available through NDIS

2) Would my SDA require a planning or building permit?
Generally if the SDA is the only dwelling on the block, you should not require a planning permit. There are exceptions to this due to overlays, covenants etc., so it’s best to check with you local council for a definitive answer on whether a planning permit is required. All dwellings will require a building permit, and be compliant to the National Construction code.

3) What are the key requirements of an SDA Dwelling?
Depending on the category, key considerations are widened doorways and corridors, accessible bathrooms, adaptable kitchens, and structurally reinforced walls and ceiling.

The full standards are found at https://www.ndis.gov.au/media/1868/download?attachment

4) Is SDA the right investment for me?
An SDA can be the right investment for you based on the following criteria:

You are investing for the longer term
You have the right team with you – SDA Assessors / Architect / Engineer / SDA Provider / SIL Provider , and of course the Builder
Access to finance, as this is not your stock standard residential dwelling loan
Done your research on how NDIS investment works
You have sought advice from suitably qualified financial planner

Custom Homes

1) What are the recent changes to the Construction Code
The recent National Construction Code took effect on May 1, 2024. Changes include seven-star energy rating for all new homes, design features making homes more accessible and adaptable for everyone, stronger condensation management and specific focus on optimising home energy consumption.

2) What information do I need to provide to get a quote?
The best way to get clear comparable quotes is to provide a complete tender package. A tender package is a complete set of plans and documents designed to tell the builder about the project and what he needs to build. A tender package should contain at the minimum - House plans and drawings, Engineering documents, Soil report, Specifications and Energy report

3) Do you charge for a quote?
At this time, we do not charge a fee for our quotes although creating an accurate, fixed-price quote takes time and resources. Our detailed proposal and estimate is based on your exact specifications and drawings to ensure there are no hidden costs to complete your project.

4) What are prime costs and provisional sums?
These are cost allowances made in the estimate/contract for items which have not been selected finalised. A Prime Cost (PC) item is an allowance made for the supply and delivery of an item or material items (e.g. taps, baths, light fittings etc.). A Provisional Sum (PS) is an allowance made for particular works, which includes the total cost of the supply and installation (e.g. joinery, landscaping, air conditioning, rock removal). Although these allowances are commonly included in contracts, particularly for earthworks (due to the unpredictable nature of soil/rock composition), we recommend having as few PC and PS items in your contract as possible to avoid additional build costs