We know that building a new home is easier and more enjoyable when you know what to expect next. At Henley, our service – from first meeting to final inspection - genuinely supports the dreams you have when it comes to this experience. We work hard to make sure that our customers enjoy every step in the process. Say hello to happy memories.
Let’s start with hello: Take the opportunity to chat one-on-one with a Henley New Home Consultant, where you can browse designs and then have a personalised walk through of a stylish Henley display home to assist with the preparation and presentation of your New Home Quotation.
Secure your quote: A refundable deposit* is required to secure the current listed base house price and promotional offer (if applicable).
For titled land and untitled land, the deposit is $1,500 and is refundable for a period of 7 days.
For knockdown rebuild, the deposit is $2,500 and is refundable for a period of 45 days from your initial deposit.
Book it in: Your New Home Consultant will book you in for your Henley Design Information Session, held in Mt Waverley, where you will discover how the interior selection appointment and process works.
Confirm certificates and contract: Please provide us with a clear copy of your Plan of Subdivision, a copy of your Land Contract including Section 32, and if your land has titled, the Certificate of Title.
* Please refer to and read carefully the Initial Deposit Terms and Conditions for details regarding when this initial deposit becomes non-refundable.
Final take on the paperwork: The next appointment is to complete your Sales Paperwork.
Second Deposit: With the initial paperwork phase complete, your second deposit is now due. At this point, if it has not already occurred, your deposit becomes non-refundable. Works are now underway to prepare for your colour appointment and tender presentation and works such as soil reports, site survey, and preliminary requirements are completed, as well as council requirements (as applicable). Your deposit is to cover our external and internal expenses involved in undertaking these steps.
The second deposit is:
• $500 for titled and untitled land, bringing the total paid to $2,000
Paperwork must be completed within 30 days of paying your initial deposit for titled land or if your forecast land title date is within the next 9 months.
If your untitled land is forecast to title at a date later than 9 months from your initial deposit date, paperwork must be completed within 90 days of this date. Additional costs may be incurred, please refer to your sales quotation.
• $1,000 for knockdown rebuild, bringing the total paid to $3,500
Paperwork must be complete within 60 days of initial deposit.
Henley Design Appointment: Whether you know exactly what you want or really have no idea, you’ll discover what you can create at your Henley Design Colour Selection Appointment in Mount Waverley. You’ll have a professional Interior Designer to assist you during the entire appointment.
Allow approximately 3-4 hours for single storey homes and approximately 6 hours for double storey homes.
You will also be offered an Electrical Appointment if you wish to customise your electrical plan. This appointment is 2 hours, and occurs after your Contract Appointment (refer to stage 5).
Henley Design Showroom opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm open for browsing
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00am - 1:00pm - By appointment only
1:00pm - 4:00pm - Open for browsing
The tender moment: This is genuinely a tender moment in time – it’s when all of your planning and information, quote and payments come together in one place for review and final sign off.
The tender incorporates all of your selections you have made so far - façade, variations, colour selections, preliminary site costs, site plan and floorplan (as applicable). There are no further changes permitted after the tender is signed.
Appointments are available Monday to Friday, taking approximately 4 hours for a single storey and a full day for double storey homes.
Council dispensations: The tender sign off means we can apply for all relevant council dispensations.
Tender Deposit: When you sign your tender, a non-refundable payment of $2,000 is required in order to prepare your final contract documentation, which will include a set of drawings*.
For knockdown rebuild, we recommend that you begin your Electricity Pit Installation Application through the relevant electricity authority at this point.
Out with the old (applicable to knockdown rebuild only): Demolition of the existing house with capping of all services to boundary is required prior to contract signing.
Once demolition is complete, your site will have a second soil test and survey to confirm engineering of your slab.
Ask your New Home Consultant for the Demolition Information Checklist which provides a complete list of requirements for demolition.
Knockdown Rebuild: For knockdown rebuild, we will reassess and provide you with your site costs based on the results of the second soil test and survey.
Congratulations on your contract: Using an industry standard HIA New Home Contract, you’ll be presented with a personalised version. Each person listed on the contract must attend this appointment to sign the document, and it also must be signed within 150 days of your initial deposit for titled and untitled land and 240 days for a Knockdown rebuild.
Upon signing your building contract, you will be required to pay a balance of 5% of your total contract value minus the initial deposits you have already paid.
Lets get electrical: Now is the time for your Electrical Appointment if you wish to customise your electrical plan.
This optional appointment is held in our Henley Design Showroom, and is your opportunity to sit with our specialised Electrical Consultant to add additional lights, light fittings, security systems, intercoms, fibre optic wiring, data points, home theatre provisions and other such items.
Please note that your Electrical Appointment can only occur once your contract drawings are prepared, and will take approximately 2 hours.
All ready for site activity: You are so close to site start. Now that the contract is signed and progress payment made, we’ll submit your energy assessment, finalise construction drawings, and confirm information relevant to your specific council requirements.
Make your move: Before we can start onsite, you now need to provide:
• Finance confirmation including a current unconditional letter of offer
• Written confirmation from your finance provider that funds are ready to be released for construction progress payments
• Written confirmation of land ownership
To help avoid any delays, please make sure your land is clear and ready for commencement of construction.
The excitement of site start: Congratulations! Seeing your builder break the dirt on your block of land is an exciting moment. This is where all the plans and paperwork come together so the onsite team can create the vision. To proceed with site start, we must have received all required permits and approvals, evidence of the owner’s title to the land, full details of restrictions and covenants which affect the land, evidence of finance for the contract price, all drawings are signed and all pre site start HIA contract clauses are met.
18 Month Price Guarantee - Should your site start exceed 18 months, if contracts are not yet signed, all items in your job contract price will be reviewed and repriced automatically at the start of the 19th month, or if contracts have been signed, Henley reserves the right to terminate the contract and reprice at then current pricing, by providing written notice of such action to the Owners.
Summary of progress payments: We require progress payments as per the standard HIA recommended payment schedule. There are six payments due, totalling 100%.
Construction: Now is the time for Henley’s Construction team to take the lead, and do what we do best.
The next section will define the main stages of construction for you, and outlines some of the things which may take place during each stage.
Base Stage: Your block of land will be prepped and ready to build on, with temporary fencing installed, site excavation, and underground connections laid. Base stage is complete once the concrete slab is poured.
Upon completion of base stage, a 10% progress payment is due.
Frame Stage: This is when your dream home really starts to come to life. All walls are marked out in accordance with your final drawings, and construction of wall, windows and door frames, and roof trusses begin.
Frame stage is complete once the frame is completed, inspected, and approved by a qualified Building Surveyor.
Upon completion of frame stage, a 15% progress payment is due.
Lock Up Stage: This is a significant milestone as it’s when we’re able to effectively ‘lock up’ your home. Brickwork, wall cladding, roofing, and insulation are all installed. Temporary external doors may be hung and fixed into position in order to ensure the security of your home.
Upon completion of lock up stage, a 35% progress payment is due.
Fixing Stage: This is where we begin fixing everything into position. We will complete all internal plaster, architraves and skirts, and cabinets and cupboards to your kitchen.
Upon completion of fixing stage, a 25% progress payment is due.
Fit Off Stage: The focus shifts to the inside of your home during this stage, and you will see your colour selections come to life. Whilst we paint your home, we will install tiles, benchtops, shower screens, mirrors, and door furniture. We will fit off all plumbing and electrical connections.
Practical Completion Inspection (PCI Stage): Move-in day is soon approaching! Your Construction Administrator will book in your New Home Presentation two weeks ahead of the completion of your home. On this day, you will meet with a Henley Representative who will present your new home to you demonstrating its features and functions. From the date of your New Home Presentation, please allow up to 14 days to all items to be completed for Settlement. You will then be able to complete Settlement from that date.
Upon completion of your home, the final progress payment of 10% is due, along with any additional variations ordered.
Congratulations! Your brand new Henley home is complete and ready for you to move in!
Aftercare: Now you’re in your brand new home, it’s time to commence with the industry’s leading aftercare program.
Once you have taken possession of your new home, your builder is obliged under Section 39 of the HIA New Home Contract to perform routine maintenance and carry out any adjustments caused from settlement. The industry standard for this maintenance period is thirteen weeks, however Henley offer an extended period of twelve months from the settlement date of your home.
A team member from our Home Assurance Department will contact you approximately eleven months after Settlement, to book in a suitable time to visit your home to conduct the 12 Month Maintenance Inspection.
Should you wish to have your 12 Month Maintenance Inspection brought forward, please contact the Home Assurance Department directly.
For home emergencies, our Home Emergency Service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.
To contact the Home Emergency Service, please call our Henley Main Reception number on 9574 5333 and follow the prompts accordingly.
For all other enquiries, please contact our Home Assurance Department team during business hours on:
T: 03 9574 5330
E: homeassurance@henley.com.au
At Henley, whether you’re starting with a titled or untitled block of land, or undertaking a knockdown rebuild project, our guides will step you through the process, from deposit to site start to bumps in the night.
The confidence we have
in our work and our people
is reflected in the fact we offer
the most comprehensive array
of guarantees and support
in Australia.
