Sustainable Homes FAQ

Why should I choose Thompson Sustainable Homes ?
The question you should be asking is - can you afford not to? Thompson Sustainable Homes will not only save you thousands, we will also make the whole process much easier and provide you with the highest level of service, that you deserve when building a new home. From the very beginning of the process right up until you move in, we can help you build your dream home - without the nightmares!

I am looking to build a new home and don't know where to start?
Building a new home is one of the biggest decisions of your life and Thompson Sustainable Homes  can help you through the whole process, so why not contact us today?

What services are provided by Thompson Sustainable Homes?
Thompson Sustainable Homes can help you with everything you need to know about building a new home or renovating an existing one. Our services include helping you to: set the right budget, locate the right block of land, find the right home design or customise your own personalised design, select the right finishes, recommend the right suppliers and keep everything on track! If what you need is anything to do with building a new home - it is guaranteed Thompson Sustainable Homes can help!

How long will it take to build my home?
The length of “build time” varies between projects and is dependant on many factors including; weather, soil classification, home design, material supply and availability of labour. Our friendly Contract Administrators will provide you with an estimate based on factors pertaining to your site and home design.

What block size do i need?
Block sizes revolve around home design. If you have already selected a design, as a rule of thumb, you can look for blocks that are 3.0 metres wider than the widest part of the home design. The depth of the block will need to be at least 8.0 metres longer than the longest part of the home.

When can i start choosing my colours?
You can start choosing your colours at any time, however, your final selections are not required until after you receive your working drawings.
Once the drawings of your home have been completed and presented, you will be called into our office to sample your selections and confirm that you are happy with the materials and colours for your new home. 

Now selections are made, when will the slab go down?
Once your selections are completed along with the final drawings, all we need is the building licence and finance confirmation. Provided the block is titled and ready to build on, we can book the home in to commence site works ready for construction. This should take approximately 2- 4 weeks from receiving your final drawings.

Do you design the items outside the house like, pool, landscaping, drainage, fencing etc?
We will design all the items you request. We can produce a full turnkey solution or the house alone if  you prefer.

Can i make changes throughout the building process?
Some minor internal or cosmetic changes can be made and should be attended to and requested at the earliest possible time, however, an administration fee plus the cost of the work may apply depending on the nature of the variation.
Unfortunately changes of a structural nature have a knock on effect through the entire building project and will not be allowed as Thompson Sustainable Homes must build the home as approved by the local council and in accordance with the building licence.

How will I know what is happening during the construction of my home?
Fortnightly construction progress updates are provided directly to the client by way of a telephone call or email. This gives the client an accurate running commentary on each stage of the building project and a direct contact person to answer any questions along the way.
Thompson Sustainable Homes also has an intranet system that can be accessed with all up to the minute information 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Thompson Sustainable Homes also has a phone application that can be accessed via a password 24 hours a day.
Upon request Thompson Sustainable Homes can setup a live webcam for you to view the progress of your new home 24 hours a day.

Can we access the home during construction?
There are a number of opportunities throughout construction when you have the opportunity to meet with your Site Supervisor to conduct a site inspection and discuss progress. Due to Occupational Health and Safety laws, unaccompanied access is not permitted.

Who do we talk to during construction?
The Contract Administrator is available throughout construction to assist with all your enquiries and co-ordinate onsite inspections. Your building Site Supervisor provides weekly progress updates to the Contract Administrator to assist in answering your queries.

Will my home match the quality of the Display home?
Stringent control measures are adopted throughout the entire building program (which includes material and trade supply) to maintain a quality finish to all our homes.

Are there any “Hidden Extras?”
A dedicated effort is made to minimize the likelihood of any nasty surprises during construction however, on rare occasion, unforeseen circumstances or site conditions may necessitate additional costs being incurred which must be met by the owner.

I work during the day. Will you work with me outside of business hours?
Of course! Thompson Sustainable Homes  prides itself on saving every client countless hours of stress and research to make the home building process easy for you! Many of our clients work, have young children or don't have time to dedicate to the process during traditional business hours, we will work in with your schedule. We can visit you during the evening or on weekends, whatever suits you. And if there are times you prefer not to be contacted, we will be sure to flag a big 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign in our calendar.

Can you help me with all the finishes for my home which aren't included in the building contract?Absolutely! Thompson Sustainable Homes has an extensive network of trusted Partners who can help you with all the 'Finishing Touches' for your new home, including air-conditioning, floor coverings, window treatments and many more!

What if I can't find the right home design?
That's easy! If you can't find the perfect home design to suit your needs, Thompson Sustainable Homes will design it for you! We have our own team of highly experienced in-house designers and architects who will work with you until you are 100% happy with the design. Our Team will work closely with our suppliers so no aspect of your home is ever designed in isolation, ensuring we achieve the very best design outcomes. Why not arrange a time to view some of the homes we have designed for our other clients?

Can I arrange for my own tradespeople to “do some extra work” during construction?
Due to Occupational Health and Safety laws, site access for owner supplied tradesmen or suppliers will not be permitted until after handover.

What happens if I encounter any problems with my home following handover?
A comprehensive maintenance warranty program is provided to all owners with the Contract Adminitrator available to assist you with any queries you may have.

How are defects fixed and how long does that take?
If you are worried that we won't come back to fix things after your home is complete, Don’t be! All house builders are required to fix agreed defects within 6 months of practical completion. If you have a home builder that fails to adhere to this code you can obtain assistance from the Queensland BSA. Part of the Thompson Sustainable Homes Experience, is that we have a quality control period after Practical Completion and before Handover in which we address all defects.