Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- What areas do you currently build in?
- What's the difference between McCarthy Homes and other building companies?
- What services do you offer?
- Do you have plans?
- Are your plans Copyright?
- Can you design a home for us?
- Do you design and build units and townhouses?
- How long does it take to build a standard home (20 sq)?
- Can you give us a quote on our own plan?
- Do you do renovations?
- How long have your tradespeople worked for you?
- Do you have a display home?
- Do you build Timber Frame or Steel Frame Homes?
- What about Termite Protection?
- Do you have an inclusions list?
- What is a ‘square’ , and how much a square’ do you build for?
- Do you build on sloping or difficult sites?
- Do you build homes on bearers and joists (timber floors), or concrete slab?
- What energy efficiency measures does McCarthy Homes adopt?
- Do you have any 'House and Land' packages?
- What advice can you give me about purchasing a block of land?
- What are ‘restrictive covenants’?
- Can you help us find land?
- If I have a block of land, what's my next step?
- Do we sign a standard HIA contract?
- How do we pay for the construction of our new home?
- During construction, can I talk with the owner of the company or the builder?
What areas do you currently build in?
As our tradespeople are located in the Bendigo region, we generally build within an hour of travel time from Bendigo.
What's the difference between McCarthy Homes and other building companies?
It’s your home – so you select everything including any alterations to the design. The final product is just as you expect – your dream home.
McCarthy Homes is local to the Bendigo region and has been for over 25 years. We live in Bendigo and many clients have become friends and sources of referral over the years. As such, the quality of your completed home is our main priority.
To ensure this, we use the highest quality local tradespeople and suppliers, many of whom have been working with us, to our high standards for over 15 years.
What services do you offer?
McCarthy Homes offers a complete service including:
- advice on land selection, energy efficiency and design,
- custom design of your home,
- product, appliance and colour selections
- connection of services and utilities
- co-ordination of all soil tests, contour surveys, permits and site preparation
- Co-ordination and supervision of all building works
Do you have plans?
Yes. We have over 70 designs to choose from, and every plan is tailored to each client’s unique requirements and needs.
Are your plans Copyright?
Yes. If you wish to build to one of our plans in a distant location, you may purchase the design from us. Contact us for pricing.
Can you design a home for us?
Yes. All our designs are unique, as we believe every family has different needs.
While one of our standard plans may be suitable for you, we are happy to design a plan specific to your requirements at NO ADDITIONAL COST.
A custom design can take into account the shape of your land, the location of the sun, a northerly aspect on living areas, accessibility requirements, preference for location of rooms, shape, size, and any other relevant variable.
How long does it take to build a standard home (20 sq)?
Typically from contract approval, we suggest allowing 20-24 weeks. Some homes may require more time due to size, site preparation or council approval times.
Do you do renovations?
Yes. McCarthy Homes regularly perform major renovations. In 2006, we were proud to win the award for HIA Central Victorian Renovation of the Year.
How long have your tradespeople worked for you?
Many of our tradespeople have been working with us for over 15 years. To provide a home of the highest quality, only the best tradespeople are acceptable. Having a well-integrated team working together, provides a far better outcome for the new owner.
Do you build Timber Frame or Steel Frame Homes?
Whilst we can build steel frame homes, we see no advantage. Timber provides a solid reliable frame structure with less expansion and contraction from temperature variations.
What about Termite Protection?
All Timber frames in McCarthy Homes have been treated with the LOSP ‘Framesure’ termite protection system and are guaranteed for 25 years as secure from termite infestation.
CSIRO research shows that steel frame homes DO NOT provide greater termite protection over a 30 year period than treated timber framed homes. Most termite infestations are a result of complacency and a lack of vigilance, as termites can attack any structure through a range of access points.
Do you have an inclusions list?
Yes. We have a list of all inclusions for both contemporary and traditional homes.
What is a ‘square’ , and how much a square’ do you build for?
A ‘square’ is a pre-metric term used to designate an area of 100 square feet. It is equal to 9.3 sq metres. The cost price per ‘square’ of building a home will vary depending on factors such as type of land and soil, design of the house, materials used in construction, quality of tradesmen etc.
McCarthy Homes ensure the frame for example is constructed with stud spacings of no more than 450mm (ensuring a rigid frame) where some project builders will build with 600mm spacings, and use the cheapest framing material available.
To use a truism – ‘You get what you pay for’.
Do you build on sloping or difficult sites?
Yes. We will do a contour level survey and soil tests to design the most effective foundations for your home. Some builders will not build on a site with significant slope as it involves greater effort on their part, which affects their costing structure. McCarthy Homes will design for any block.
Do you build homes on bearers and joists (timber floors), or concrete slab?
Yes. After we have surveyed the proposed home site, we will discuss with you the most appropriate foundation structure for your new home. Our quotation will generally take into account any site works or foundation issues.
BEWARE: Some ’project’ builders will sign you to a contract with a ‘provisional’ sum for site works, then hit you after the contract for a much greater sum.
What energy efficiency measures does McCarthy Homes adopt?
McCarthy Homes is committed to building the most energy efficient homes possible to reduce ongoing costs for owners, and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our new homes are all compliant with ‘5-star energy ratings’ and can include the following considerations:
- House orientation for best sunlight effect and shading
- Passive cooling with cross/through ventilation
- Window glazing
- Passive solar hot water and heating
- Appliance selections
- Grey-water recycling
- Sustainable materials for construction and flooring
- Concrete slab flooring and brick exterior for best thermal mass
Do you have any 'House and Land' packages?
Buying a house and land package can mean the builder has paid stamp duty on the land, and then you will pay stamp duty on the land component again when you buy the ‘package’ so it may actually be more expensive. It may also limit you to the land that the builder already owns.
We suggest you select and purchase your land either privately or through a reputable agent, and contract us to build your new home. This is the most cost effective solution, with the greatest flexibility in choosing the location of your new home.
What advice can you give me about purchasing a block of land?
Prior to signing a contract for a block of land you should consider the possible additional costs of site-works for your new home. We would recommend you have a soil test report and contour level survey done to give you an accurate guide as to the required site-works that will need to be done.
You should also consider the design of the house you propose to build on the land, to maximise a preferred northerly aspect on living areas, and the general positioning of the house on the land.
Most land to be purchased will also have ‘restrictive covenants’ which affect the type of construction or activities that may be permitted on the land. This also needs to be considered.
What are ‘restrictive covenants’?
A restrictive covenant is an agreement which restricts a landowner in the use or enjoyment of the land for the benefit of other land or for the benefit of a public authority.
A restrictive covenant requires the owner of the land not to undertake particular activities or exercise certain rights.
Examples of restrictive covenants include:
- a restrictive covenant that prohibits the construction of more than one house on the burdened land;
- a restrictive covenant that prohibits the building of a structure on the burdened land above a certain height; etc
Can you help us find land?
Yes. We are in touch with most of the real estate agents on a regular basis about available land, so we can certainly steer you in the right direction.
If I have a block of land, what's my next step?
Talk to us about the design of the home you would like to build.
Do we sign a standard HIA contract?
Yes. McCarthy Homes uses a standard building contract that meets all legislative requirements.
How do we pay for the construction of our new home?
As per the standard HIA Victorian New Homes contract, the standard stage payments are as follows:
- Deposit: 5%
- Base: 10%
- Frame: 15%
- Lock-up: 35%
- Fixing: 25%
- Completion: 10%