- What are inclusions in a new home build?
- Inclusions are everything a builder supplies as standard in their advertised price — the kitchen appliances and benchtops, bathroom fittings, flooring, ceiling heights, paint, roofing, driveway, and more. Every builder packages these differently, which is why two homes at the same advertised price can differ by tens of thousands of dollars in real value.
- Why do inclusions matter when comparing builders?
- The advertised base price tells you very little on its own. One builder's base price might include stone benchtops, ducted air conditioning, flooring and a driveway, while another treats all of those as paid upgrades. Comparing inclusion packages line-by-line reveals the true cost difference between builders.
- What is typically included in a standard inclusions package?
- Most standard packages cover structural essentials (slab, frame, roofing, termite protection), a kitchen with oven and cooktop, bathroom fittings, internal doors and paint, basic electrical, and a hot water system. Site costs are sometimes included with conditions attached — for example a maximum block size or soil classification.
- What is often NOT included in a base price?
- Common exclusions to watch for are flooring to living areas and bedrooms, window coverings (blinds and curtains), air conditioning, driveways, landscaping, fencing, and letterboxes or clotheslines. Dishwashers and microwaves are often 'provision only', meaning the space and wiring exist but the appliance isn't supplied.
- What does 'provision only' mean?
- 'Provision only' means the builder supplies the space, plumbing or wiring for an item — but not the item itself. A dishwasher provision, for example, is an empty cavity with a water point. You'll need to buy and install the appliance yourself after handover.
- What questions should I ask a builder about inclusions?
- Ask for the full standard inclusions document in writing, confirm which display home features are upgrades, ask what site costs are covered and under what conditions, check appliance brands and sizes, ask about flooring, driveway, and air conditioning specifically, and confirm the structural guarantee and maintenance period.