Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers.
Building a new home is one of the biggest and most exciting things you’ll ever do, so we’ve gathered the questions our clients ask us most, all in one place.
Right here. The best first step is a conversation: book a 30-minute discovery call, or wander through one of our display homes and picture your family in an Emerald kitchen. We’ll talk through your block, your budget and your wishlist. Need a hand with finance or finding land? We’ll connect you with brokers and land developers we trust.
Not at all. Already found the perfect block? We’ll build on it. Still looking? Our house and land packages pair one of our designs with a block in estates across South East Queensland, so you can see the whole picture, home and land together, from day one.
Definitely not. If you’ve found a block that just feels right for your family, and it’s within the areas we build in, that’s where we’ll build. Let the land agent know Emerald Developments is your preferred builder, then give us a call.
We build right across South East Queensland, from Brisbane’s northern suburbs to the Sunshine Coast and the areas around them. That includes Narangba, Burpengary, Morayfield, Caboolture, Bridgeman Downs, Zillmere, Aspley, Kilcoy, Woolmar, Scarborough and more, and many of these areas have their own local guide on our website.
Yes. Love your street, your neighbours and your school run, but your house no longer fits the way you live? Keep the location you love and start fresh. We can build a brand-new home on your existing block, and we have the connections and know-how to do it properly.
Absolutely. Bring us your plans and we’ll bring them to life. Not sure where to begin? Our design team and the experienced professionals we work with can turn your ideas into a plan made just for you.
Of course, and plenty of our clients do. Add a study nook, stretch the laundry bench, make the main bedroom bigger: from small tweaks to bigger layout changes, we’ll help you shape a design around the way you live, and keep it in step with your budget.
No, there’s no fee to amend one of our standard plans, and we love helping you make one your own! The only extra costs come from what you add, such as more square metres, extra cabinetry or an additional toilet.
We start with indicative pricing based on your chosen design and what we know about your block. As the details firm up, such as soil, slope, bushfire rating and estate covenants, your tender is refined, so by the time you’re ready for contract, the final price reflects your actual home on your actual block, and you’ve known where you stand at every step.
Every Emerald home comes with a full list of thoughtfully chosen standard inclusions. Your tender spells out exactly what’s in your home, including any upgrades you add along the way.
A deposit fee is paid before your plans are drawn, and that’s what gets your soil test and home design underway. When you sign your building contract, a 5% deposit of the contract price is due, less the deposit fee you’ve already paid.
Your price lock gives you certainty while you plan. The lock date and its conditions are set out on your signed tender, so you’ll always know exactly where you stand.
To protect the quality of your home and your warranty, we build with our own trusted trades and suppliers, who know our standards inside out.
Usually 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the project. Your block may look exactly the same, but behind the scenes plenty is coming together: colour and finish selections, soil testing and engineering, estate covenant approval, working drawings, building approval and insurance.
During pre-construction, and it’s one of the most exciting parts of the journey. This is where your home really starts to feel like yours. Locking in your selections by the agreed dates keeps everything moving.
At a colour selection studio in Brisbane’s north. Before your appointment, you’ll get to play with our interactive colour selections portal: heart your favourites, narrow down your wishlist at your own pace, and arrive on the day knowing exactly what you’d love to see.
The usual culprits are requests for additional pricing, changes to the plans, external providers such as estate covenants, and finance documents. Settling your decisions in the pre-contract phase is the best way to keep everything on track.
Now for the part you can see! Our lowset homes average 17 to 19 weeks on site, and our highset and acreage homes average 22 to 24 weeks. From the slab to the roof to the finishing touches, your home takes shape week by week. Weather, trade availability and changes during construction are the main things that can affect it.
Read our guide: How long does it take to build a house at Emerald Developments? →
You’ll be kept in the loop every week. Your Site Supervisor works solely on getting your home through to handover as efficiently as possible, and our office team sends you weekly updates with photos, so you can watch your home come to life from wherever you are. We’re also always just a phone call or email away, and a brand-new client portal is coming in early 2027!
Yes, and we love showing you your home taking shape. A building site is an active work zone, so for your safety, visits are booked in advance and you’re accompanied by a member of our team, even if trades are on site or doors are unlocked.
It can. Queensland rain has never been particularly interested in anyone’s moving plans! Wet weather stops some trades, especially early on with site work and the slab. Our office team keeps you updated each week, so you always know where things stand.
It’s best to lock in changes before construction starts. Once your home is underway, changes on site can affect cost and timing, so settling your decisions early keeps your build moving smoothly.
It’s one of the big milestones. When your home is nearly finished, you walk through it with us and point out anything that needs attention before handover. Your home is assessed against the QBCC Standards and Tolerances Guide, and you’re welcome to bring an independent building inspector; just give us three business days’ notice.
About 3 weeks. While we complete the final certification, documentation and payment requirements, you can start planning your move-in day once your handover date is confirmed. Then it’s keys in hand, obligatory photo, enormous smile.
Welcome home! You’ll receive our Handover Guide, with everything you need to care for your new home. If you notice a major defect, email [email protected] straight away. Any minor items can be raised at your 11-month maintenance milestone, and our maintenance team will work through them with you.
Yes, you’re well covered. Your home is assessed against the QBCC Standards and Tolerances, and it’s covered by the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme, which protects you against defective or incomplete building work. On top of that, Emerald Developments gives you a 25-year structural guarantee, because we build homes to last.