Before You Build WA

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

Have you ever asked a question and received a phone call instead of an email? Or been sent a text saying,“Don’t worry, w...
03/08/2026

Have you ever asked a question and received a phone call instead of an email? Or been sent a text saying,

“Don’t worry, we’ll look after that.”

While those conversations may be genuine, they usually don’t override what’s written in your building contract.

If something is important enough for you to rely on, it’s important enough to have formally documented.

Before signing, ask yourself:

✔️ Is this included in the contract?
✔️ Is it listed in writing?
✔️ Will it still apply if staff change?

Verbal promises and text messages are difficult to enforce.

Contracts are what matter.

Protect yourself by ensuring important agreements become part of the paperwork not just part of the conversation. Contact us today to book your free consult.

30/07/2026

Experience matters.

If the person guiding you doesn’t understand building contracts, construction processes or what can actually go wrong…

How can they help you avoid costly mistakes?

Building a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make.

Choose advice from people who’ve been through the process, understand the contracts and know where the risks are.

Good advice isn’t guessing. It’s experience.

At BYBWA we support our clients and explain building contracts in plain clear English. DM us today.

Client Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐It’s incredibly rewarding to know our work made a positive difference during your building journey.We...
28/07/2026

Client Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s incredibly rewarding to know our work made a positive difference during your building journey.

We appreciate your support and are grateful you chose us to help guide you through the process.

We’ve seen clients spend months progressing through the building process before discovering something that could have be...
24/07/2026

We’ve seen clients spend months progressing through the building process before discovering something that could have been identified much earlier.

In one case, a client using their builder’s recommended broker wasn’t advised they needed to consolidate personal loans before finance approval.

That issue wasn’t identified until months into the process.

The earlier potential finance hurdles are identified, the more options you usually have.

Questions worth asking include:
➡ Are there any risks to my finance approval?
➡ Is there anything I should address before signing?
➡ Have all lending requirements been considered?

Being proactive early can save months of frustration later. We can guide you through this process, message us to book in your free consultation.

It's natural to compare builders based on the bottom line but the cheapest quote isn't always the best value.Two builder...
22/07/2026

It's natural to compare builders based on the bottom line but the cheapest quote isn't always the best value.

Two builders can quote for the same home design, yet the prices can be vastly different. That's because not every quote includes the same things.

When comparing building quotes, ask yourself:

✔️ Are the specifications the same? (Flooring, benchtops, appliances, ceiling heights, etc.)
✔️ Does one quote include allowances or provisional sums that could increase later?
✔️ Are site costs fully included, or are they only estimates?
✔️ Has one builder excluded items that you'll need to pay for separately?
✔️ Are there differences in the quality of materials or finishes?

A quote that looks more expensive upfront may actually include more, giving you greater certainty and reducing the risk of unexpected costs later.

The key isn't choosing the cheapest quote, it's understanding why the prices are different.

Before you sign, make sure you're comparing like for like. It could save you thousands of dollars and help you make a much more informed decision.

DM us to book your free consult and we can support reviewing your contract.

A client came to us after signing their building contract. They’d been told having their contract reviewed was unnecessa...
20/07/2026

A client came to us after signing their building contract. They’d been told having their contract reviewed was unnecessary.

However, something didn’t add up. Their siteworks were listed as a provisional sum of $52,000. When the builder completed their assessment, the final amount remained exactly the same.

After reviewing every detail, we discovered:

✔ BAL requirements no longer applied.
✔ Soakwells weren’t required because the property connected directly to council drainage.
✔ Other sitework items hadn’t been correctly assessed.

The builder later acknowledged the errors, apologised and issued a variation crediting our client $22,500.

Mistakes can happen. The important question is…

Would anyone have noticed if the contract hadn’t been independently reviewed?

That’s where we come in, we work for our clients and not for any builders. DM us for a free consult.

When people hear the word variation, they often think it means the homeowner decided to upgrade their kitchen or add ano...
16/07/2026

When people hear the word variation, they often think it means the homeowner decided to upgrade their kitchen or add another window.

While that can be true, not all variations happen because you changed your mind.

Variations can also occur because:
✔️ Site conditions are different from what was originally expected.
✔️ Engineering requirements change after further investigations.
✔️ Council or developer requirements require changes to the plans.
✔️ The builder needs to make changes to meet the Building Code or other regulatory requirements.

That's why it's important to understand how variations are dealt with in your contract before you sign.

Ask questions like:
🔵 When can the builder issue a variation?
🔵 Will I receive the cost in writing before the work proceeds?
🔵 Can I decline a variation, or is it required for the build to continue?
🔵 How could a variation affect my construction timeline?

A variation isn't necessarily a red flag, it can be a normal part of the building process. The important thing is knowing when they can happen, why they happen and what your contract says about them.

The more you understand your contract upfront, the fewer surprises you're likely to face during your build. Contact us today to book in your free consult.

When you sign a Preliminary Plan Agreement (PPA), you’re committing both your time and your money. What many people don’...
14/07/2026

When you sign a Preliminary Plan Agreement (PPA), you’re committing both your time and your money. What many people don’t realise is that builders generally don’t provide their full building contract or all of their special conditions at this stage.

This means you could be investing months into a builder before you even know the terms you’ll eventually be asked to accept.

By the time those conditions are presented:

➡ Your deposit is often non-refundable.
➡ You’ve already invested months into the process.
➡ Walking away may mean starting all over again.

That’s why it’s so important to ask the right questions before committing.

At Before You Build WA, we believe informed decisions lead to better building experiences and fewer surprises.

Have you already signed a PPA, or are you about to?

Contact us today to book your free consult.

Client review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Receiving feedback like this means a lot to our team.Thank you for taking the time to share your expe...
02/07/2026

Client review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Receiving feedback like this means a lot to our team.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for trusting us to be part of such an important milestone.

We truly appreciate your kind words and wish you all the very best with your new home.

25/06/2026

We can’t control interest rates.

We can’t control market changes.

But we CAN help you take control of your build journey.

From reviewing designs and inclusions, to identifying contract risks. To helping clients avoid unexpected price increases and siteworks blowouts.

Our focus is making sure you fully understand what you’re committing to before construction begins. Building a home shouldn’t feel like crossing your fingers and hoping for the best.

Clarity. Confidence. Independent advice. That’s the difference, and the team at Before You Build WA are here to support you through your building journey. Contact us to book your 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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