By IMSU Team

- Published May 7, 2025 | Updated July 16, 2026 | 1 minute read

Building is stressful; there’s no way of avoiding that, but the most stressful part is the delays, specifically those that can be avoided more often than you think. When you’re already going to go through the pressures of budgeting, possible displacement and more, the last thing you’ll want to have to handle is another hold up. Which is why we’ve put together this guide to help you run through the best ways to avoid delays with a new home build.

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Understand Your Provisional Allowances (PAs)

Firstly, let’s understand provisional allowances: These are any budget estimates for material, labour, or design where the exact cost isn’t known at the initial contract signing. Provisional allowances have two main types: Prime Cost (PC) Items and Provisional Sums.
Prime Cost items are the allowances you and the builder decide on for products/items such as kitchen appliances, taps, carpeting, tiles, splashbacks, etc.
Provisional Sums are allowances for works such as excavation costs, retaining walls and anything else your build may need.
When working with any builder, you should get a handle on these potential costs by reading through the proposal/contract. If this is a browser PDF, you should be able to (Command + F) search for keywords such as “Provisional Allowances,” “Prime Cost,” “Provisional Sums,” or “Inclusions.” Everyone wants their dream home just as they like it, but to avoid delays, try to lock in selections you can afford as soon as possible and select from the range builders provide. They’ve likely designed a fair share of homes by this point, and their recommendations are there for a reason. Most importantly, if you want to try and make variations, check with your builder upfront if they’re viable. To keep builds fast and affordable, builders have supply chains in motion, and going outside them can cause delays, especially the later in the project you make them.

Leverage Early Site Assessments

Not every block of land is the same, and no one wants it to be, but the price we pay for a unique world is unique challenges. This is why we recommend getting a site assessment as early into the build as possible. What’s great about getting site assessments early, is that most builders are happy to do land assessments for free. Additionally, it’s also an excellent way to scout out a builder you trust. If you’re unsure about a site assessment, we also have a great guide on land assessments you can look through. In short, factors like site slope, soil classification, and acoustic exposure can create challenges that need to be assessed, quoted, and resolved early in the build process. Checking for these challenges before a build or even proposal can be a massive advantage because it allows you and the builder to expect the unexpected and gives them more time to develop the most efficient solution.

Be Prompt With Documentation and Decisions

If you’re lucky (and most of us will be), you’ll only have to be a part of one home build in your lifetime. So take pride in the process and embrace the steps that come with it, especially with the knowledge that it will speed up your build. Delays often stem from paperwork on the side of homeowners, whether it’s signed documents, ID, lender details, or consultant approvals; hold ups in getting these documents through can keep you from finishing your build. Where possible, try to prepare some of these documents pre-consultation. To make it easy, we’ve even put together this checklist of items a builder may ask for during a build consultation/pre-build:

  • Proof of Land Ownership
  • Finance Approval
  • Building Approvals
  • ID (Drivers License or Passport)

Get Started and Don’t Worry About Stopping

The most extended delay of a project is oftentimes getting started. It’s daunting, and it seldom feels like the right time. Knocking off some of the easy steps, such as preparing those documents or looking through designs, can be a great way to get motivated and make your start. Even just consulting with a few builders can be the best way to get invested. With a home build, the quicker you start, the sooner you finish. Speak with one of IMSU’s New Home Consultants to get started today!

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