Before You Build WA

Before You Build WA BYBWA was created to help clients understand the ins & outs of their Preliminary & Building Contracts

Before You Build WA (BYBWA) is an independent Perth-based consultancy established to empower our clients with all the information needed to make decisions about building. By not being affiliated with any builders, we work 100% for our clients and their best interests. BYBWA educates and coaches our clients with all aspects of building design, compliance, contracts (avoiding unnecessary price incre

ases), and sitework allowances. With a combined 18 years of experience in the industry, we provide peace of mind to our clients knowing our team will review every detail so nothing is missed before signing your Preliminary or Building contracts. In addition to our Comprehensive Plan & Contract Review service, we also offer a Design Service to help modify existing plans or even create your own custom plan. A custom plan by BYBWA gives the combined comfort of knowing the plans have been designed specifically for you and your block, and the freedom of owning the copyright allowing the flexibility to engage the builder of your choice.

18/06/2026

We review your quotation to make sure every inclusion and costs align with your floor plan.

Recently, we had a building consultant tell our clients the sliding door cost were significant due to the fact that they were “stacking doors”, the issue? there were no stacking doors in their floor plan and rather than correcting their mistake, the consultant doubled down and said they refer to two sliding doors opening from the middle as stacking doors…

Fast forward the next version, the cost mysteriously went away… go figure 😊

Interest rate increases don’t just affect repayments, they can also reduce your borrowing capacity.So if you signed with...
11/06/2026

Interest rate increases don’t just affect repayments, they can also reduce your borrowing capacity.

So if you signed with a builder while already borrowing close to your limit, it may be worth checking:

➡️ Do you still meet lending requirements today?

We’ve seen situations where buyers signed months ago, experienced delays and then discovered their finance position had changed before construction started.

Unfortunately, many don’t realise this risk until they’re already committed. A quick review with your broker or lender now could help avoid major stress later.

Being proactive today is always better than being stressed tomorrow. Contact us for a free consult.

Client Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐This is exactly why we do what we do.Building your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when ...
08/06/2026

Client Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is exactly why we do what we do.

Building your first home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make sense of plans, contracts and all the fine details.

Being able to step in, break things down and support our clients with clarity and care is something we don’t take lightly. Really appreciate the trust

Building a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make and sometimes, stepping back early ...
03/06/2026

Building a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make and sometimes, stepping back early can be the better long-term decision.

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by unexpected siteworks costs, variations or budget pressure before construction has even started, it’s worth taking the time to properly understand where things stand.

Ask yourself: What happens if further costs come up later in the build?

At Before You Build WA, we believe every client deserves clear, independent advice before making major decisions. We’re not here to pressure you into continuing or walking away, we’re here to help you understand:

➡️ The potential risks
➡️ Your contractual position
➡️ The financial implications
➡️ The options available to you

Sometimes, peace of mind comes from simply understanding the full picture.

Contact us today to book in your free consult.

Reading through your preliminary agreement or building contract and feeling completely overwhelmed?You’re not alone. Bui...
01/06/2026

Reading through your preliminary agreement or building contract and feeling completely overwhelmed?

You’re not alone. Building contracts can be full of:

🔵 Technical wording
🔵 Hidden risks
🔵 Unclear allowances
🔵 Confusing clauses
🔵 Important details buried in fine print

When you don’t build every day, it’s hard to know what’s normal and what’s a red flag. That’s exactly why Before You Build WA exists.

Our free consultations help clients better understand:

✅ What they’re signing
✅ Potential risks
✅ Hidden costs
✅ Contract concerns
✅ Where clarification may be needed

Confidence comes from understanding the process not guessing your way through it. Contact us today to book your free consultation.

We can’t predict the future…but we CAN identify when a contract leaves you exposed to potential price increases and trus...
28/05/2026

We can’t predict the future…but we CAN identify when a contract leaves you exposed to potential price increases and trust us, there are usually warning signs.

The problem is many buyers don’t know what to look for until it’s too late.

Things like:

➡ Long finance or title timeframes
➡ Open-ended clauses
➡ Undefined allowances
➡ Making last minute structural changes
➡ Unclear site costs with no breakdowns

These can all increase your risk of future variations or price adjustments.

The good news? Once you understand the risks, you can make informed decisions moving forward and ensure your building journey is as stress free as possible.

Client Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Grateful for kind words like this.Starting the building journey can feel like a lot, so hearing that ...
26/05/2026

Client Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Grateful for kind words like this.

Starting the building journey can feel like a lot, so hearing that our guidance is bringing peace of mind this early on really means everything.

Looking forward to supporting our clients through the next stages and helping make the process feel a whole lot clearer along the way.

21/05/2026

“You need to sign now or you could lose the block”

Unfortunately, this pressure tactic happens more often than people realise. When buyers are emotionally attached to a block of land, fear can take over and rushed decisions often follow.

Before signing anything under pressure, it’s important to understand:

1️⃣ What your actual timelines are
2️⃣ Whether extensions are possible
3️⃣ What risks exist within the contract
4️⃣ What alternatives may be available

Feeling pressured doesn’t mean you don’t have options. The key is getting clarity before committing to something that may not be in your best financial interest long-term.

At Before You Build WA, we help clients understand the full picture before they sign. DM us today to book your free consult.

Can a builder pass me a price increase once I’m already on site?The short answer? It depends on the contract you’ve sign...
07/05/2026

Can a builder pass me a price increase once I’m already on site?

The short answer? It depends on the contract you’ve signed.

➡ Is it governed by the Home Building Contracts Act (under $500k)?
➡ Over $500k? Standard HIA/MBA template?
➡ Or is it a custom contract with rise and fall clauses?

The bigger issue here is signing a contract you don’t truly understand, or worse, only finding out about the conditions after you’ve spent thousands of dollars and months going through the preliminary stages.

You also need to keep in mind, it’s not always in a consultant’s interest to walk you through the finer details upfront. If you’ve never built before, you simply don’t know what you don’t know - so you don’t know what questions to ask.

This is where most people get caught.

They assume:

“Fixed price means fixed”
“The builder will absorb delays”
“Once construction starts, I’m safe”

But that’s not always how it works.

If you want real control over your build, you need to understand the risks before you sign - not when it’s too late.

If you’re unsure about your contract or want peace of mind before your build starts, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand exactly what you’re entitled to and how to protect your budget.

A Delayed Title Allowance is often positioned as a benefit, but in many cases, it’s simply you prepaying for a potential...
01/05/2026

A Delayed Title Allowance is often positioned as a benefit, but in many cases, it’s simply you prepaying for a potential price increase - particularly where the builder’s price hold period doesn’t extend through to title. It’s typically presented as a buffer to cover cost increases while you wait for your land to title, which can sound reassuring at first, but it’s important to understand how it actually works.

In most cases, these allowances are limited and not fixed. If the actual increase exceeds the allowance, the builder may still pass on the difference as a variation. If the increase is less than the allowance, you’re relying on the builder to credit it back.

That’s where the risk sits. This is why asking the right questions upfront matters:

❓Was the allowance based on a genuine forecast, or simply a figure applied to make the deal work?
❓Will any increase be calculated from when you signed, or from when the price hold period expires?
❓What happens if the allowance doesn’t cover the increase?

Understanding the fine print puts you in control of your budget, not the other way around.

Follow for clear, practical building advice to help you make informed decisions or DM us to book a free consultation.

Address

C3/118 Railway Street, West Perth
Perth, WA
6005

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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