Our building process

The Hallmark Homes’ 10 step building process

Our design, sales and construction teams have years of experience behind them and this, coupled with our well established relationships with our preferred suppliers and contractors, means that our customers are left with a smooth and efficient home building system, throughout each stage of construction.

Step 1 – Visit a display home:

Visit one of our display homes and speak with a Sales Consultant about which type of house may suit your block of land. Decide on possible variations to the standard plans and specifications that you wish to include in your home. Your Sales Consultant can make suggestions, if you are unsure, when you discuss your family’s needs (Note: Changes to the standard design and specifications will only be permitted if they comply with the current ‘Hallmark Homes Product Policy’).

Step 2 – Preliminary services agreement:

Pay your initial deposit, $1,500.00 (non-­‐refundable), and complete the Preliminary Services Agreement documentation with your Sales Consultant to authorise Hallmark Homes to arrange for an independent Certified Engineer to carry out a Soil Test and a licensed Surveyor to survey the land and provide a detailed site Contour Survey. These documents are required to produce a detailed Site Plan including earthworks and prepare a detailed fixed price cost estimate (Building Schedule) (Note: All monies paid are deducted from the contract price). This process takes an average of four (4) weeks.

Step 3 – Pre-contract costings:

Once the Soil Test and Contour Survey Plan have been received, the Preliminary Costings, along with the detailed Site Plan showing the siting of your selected house design, will be prepared and forwarded to your Sales Consultant. After you have reviewed these documents and accepted the cost estimate, your Sales Consultant will request that you finalise any further changes to the documentation and pay the second deposit, $2,500.00, in order to proceed to the next step (Note: All monies paid are deducted from the contract price).

Step 4 – Signing of QMBA contract documents:

Once your Sales Consultant submits your final changes to Head Office, all final designs will be prepared. The QMBA Residential Building Contract will then be prepared and sent to your Sales Consultant, who will contact you to arrange a time to meet with you to sign the Contract and accompanying documents. Once signed, your Sales Consultant will submit the signed Building Contract to Hallmark Homes’ Head Office, along with the balance of deposit – this varies in each case, it is the difference between 5% of contract price (full deposit) and the $4,000.00 already paid (Note: All monies paid are deducted from the contract price). If applicable, your Sales Consultant may photocopy the Building Contract once it has been signed, so that you can take it to your financial institution to allow them to begin the official loan process, otherwise a copy for this purpose will be posted to you with the original.

Step 5 – Colour selection:

As soon as your Sales Consultant returns your signed contract to Head Office ,you will be telephoned by our Contracts Administration department to make a suitable time for your Colour Selection Appointment. Appointments are only available Monday to Friday at 11.00am and 2.00pm at our Head Office (60 Smith Street, Southport). You will be asked to bring several items of information (e.g. proof of land ownership) to your Colour Selection Appointment (Note: Proof of land ownership must be provided prior to scheduling the start of construction). Any changes you request will be processed as Post-Contract Variations and will need to be signed by you before they take effect. Post-Contract Variations will incur a $500.00 administration fee.

Step 6 – Building approval:

When Hallmark Homes’ Head Office receives your signed contract, we will pay all relevant insurances and levies, then lodge the Building Application, and the separate Plumbing and Drainage Application, for approval with an Independent Private Certifier (Note: The Plumbing Permit can only be approved by the Local Authority and can take up to six (6) weeks to process). When we receive these approvals back into Hallmark Homes’ Head Office, two (2) copies will be forwarded to you, along with the Builders’ All Risk Insurance certificate, with one copy for you to pass onto your financial institution (if applicable) as soon as possible so that they can finalise the construction loan. We must receive both of these approvals before we can schedule the start of construction.

Step 7 – (a) Authority to commence construction for clients using a financial institution for a construction loan:

When your financial institution has finalised your construction loan, they will notify either yourself or Hallmark Homes, depending on their procedures. If you receive this notification, please forward a copy to Hallmark Homes’ Head Office as soon as possible. We must have a copy of this notification before we can schedule the start of construction. If you are contributing funds to the project yourself, we will need a copy of a current Bank Statement showing that you have the necessary funds available. When we have a copy of the bank’s notification (and Bank Statement, if applicable), and you have paid your balance of deposit, you will be contacted and advised that your file is complete, and the date that has been allocated to you will be confirmed.

(b) Authority to commence construction for clients who are self-­funding:

Once we have forwarded your Building Approval, all you need to provide is evidence that you have the funds available to pay the full contract price (less deposit already paid). A current Bank Statement in your name will secure you a scheduled start date for your home. You will be contacted and advised that your file is complete, and the date that has been allocated to you will be confirmed.

Step 8 – Start of construction:

Construction will commence by the specified date in your Contract, provided that Hallmark Homes have received the Building/Plumbing Permits, written ‘Authority to Commence Construction’ from the financial institution (or satisfactory evidence of owners’ capacity to pay the full Contract price), proof of land ownership (in the form of a recent rates notice, title search or settlement letter from your solicitor stating the date of settlement), and signed copies of any Post-Contract Variations (if applicable) two (2) weeks prior to the specified date.

Step 9 – Construction:

During construction, a Hallmark Homes’ Building Supervisor will be allocated to look after your new home. You will be provided with your Supervisor’s mobile phone number, in case you have any questions in regards to the building of your home. Hallmark Homes also have a Building Services Department at Head Office for you to contact when your Supervisor is unavailable. Please do not hesitate in calling your Supervisor or Head Office if you have any questions; we will be more than happy to talk to you.

Step 10 – Practical completion:

When all works are completed, a suitable appointment time will be arranged for you to inspect your new home with the Building Supervisor. Once you are satisfied that all works have been completed, and all outstanding monies have been received by Hallmark Homes’ Head Office, an appointment will be made for the Hand Over of the keys to your new home, along with all relevant warranties and certificates.

30 years structural guarantee:

After Construction, you have peace of mind knowing that Hallmark Homes offer one of the longest structural guarantees in the construction industry. You also have the opportunity to send us a six (6) month maintenance form, outlining any maintenance issues for us to address. Of course, any appliance issues will be dealt with immediately. We have a dedicated Maintenance Department to look after this area of construction.