The biggest mistakes that delay a house build by months
A practical guide for owner-builders: windows, schedules, budget control, documents, contractors, material lead times and finishing decisions that delay a home build.
Owner builder guide
Home Building Blog
Practical guides on construction costs, schedules, documents and home build control.Start with BuildIQRead article
When should you order windows for a house build?
A practical schedule for ordering windows, avoiding delays and preparing for final measurement.
How much does the shell stage cost in 2026?
Typical 2026 shell stage cost ranges, the difference between open and closed shell, and the variables that change the budget.
Home build schedule: stages from plot to handover
A practical home construction schedule: permits, foundations, shell, services, finishes and handover.
Home build checklist: what to control from start to handover
A practical checklist for documents, budget, contractors, deadlines and stage acceptance during a home build.
When should the plumber start on a house build?
When to schedule plumbing, what must be ready and how to avoid blocking plastering, screeds and heating.
Construction work order: what should happen first?
The key sequence of house building works and the points where owners most often lose time and money.
What comes after the shell stage?
What to do after open or closed shell: services, plastering, screeds, insulation, facade and finishes.
How much does a roof cost?
Roof cost depends on structure, covering, insulation, flashings and labour. See how to control the roof budget in BuildIQ.
Checklist before the electrician starts on site
What to prepare before electrical work: sockets, lighting, board, smart home, installation photos and acceptance.