What Happens After You Pay Your Initial Deposit When Building a Home in NSW?

Paying your initial $4,000 deposit is an exciting milestone in your home building journey. It means your vision is officially underway and the design process can begin.

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But what actually happens next?

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If you have chosen to build with Perry Homes, the deposit marks the start of a structured process designed to move your home from concept to construction ready plans. Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you can expect after paying your initial deposit in NSW.

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1. Site Investigation: Soil and Contour Analysis

Firstly, we organise essential site reports, including:

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Soil Testing & Wind Rating

A soil test & wind rating determines the classification of your block (for example, reactive clay or stable soil). This information is critical because it affects:

• Foundation design
• Slab engineering
• Frame design & tie downs
• Site costs

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Understanding soil conditions early helps prevent unexpected expenses later in the process.

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Contour Survey

A contour survey maps the slope and levels of your land. This allows us to:

• Design the home correctly on your block
• Determine cut and fill requirements
• Identify drainage considerations
• Accurately position the home

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Soil and contour data ensure your home is designed specifically for your land - not just a generic block.

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2. BASIX Assessment (NSW Requirement)

In New South Wales, all new homes must comply with BASIX (Building Sustainability Index) requirements.

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After your deposit is received and upon receipt of preliminary plans, we begin preparing your BASIX assessment, which ensures your home meets sustainability standards for:

• Energy efficiency
• Water usage
• Thermal performance

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This assessment influences elements such as insulation, glazing and orientation. This can mean some additional costs if your block of land doesn’t have an ideal orientation. Completing BASIX early helps ensure your design aligns with NSW regulations from the start.

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3. Preliminary Plans

Once site information is received, we begin preparing your preliminary plans.

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These early drawings show how your chosen home design will sit on your block, taking into account:

• Setbacks
• Orientation
• Site conditions
• Council requirements

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At this stage, you’ll start to see your home take shape on paper and can make minor adjustments to the structural layout. It’s an exciting step as your design becomes more defined and tailored to your land. 

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4. Formal Tender Preparation

After preliminary plans are developed, we prepare your formal tender.

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The formal tender outlines:

• Your home design
• Inclusions
• Site costs (based on soil and contour reports)
• Any adjustments required
• Overall contract price

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This document provides clarity and transparency so you understand exactly what is included before moving forward.

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5. Review and Revisions

We understand that this is your home, so adjustments may be needed.

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If required, we’ll review the plans and make revisions to ensure everything aligns with your expectations, budget, and lifestyle.

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This stage allows you to:

• Refine layout details
• Adjust inclusions (if needed)
• Confirm site-specific requirements
• Finalise design elements

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Our goal is to ensure you feel completely confident before progressing.

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6. Final Approval

Once all revisions are complete and you’re satisfied with the design, we move to final confirmation.

At this point:

• You have approved the plans
• Contract documentation is finalised
• Engineering and approvals progress
• Your home moves closer to construction

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This is the stage where everything comes together and your build is officially preparing for the next phase.

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What Happens Next?

After final approval, your project moves into the pre-construction phase, which includes:

• Council approvals
• Final engineering
• Scheduling
• Preparation for construction commencement

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From here, your dream home is one step closer to becoming a reality.

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Building with Confidence

Paying your initial deposit is more than just a transaction it’s the beginning of a structured process designed to ensure your home is:

• Compliant with NSW regulations
• Designed for your specific block
• Clearly priced
• Carefully planned

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At Perry Homes, we guide you through each stage so you always know what’s happening and what comes next.

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