These are the important questions you should be asking before you build.

A priority of ours is maintaining clear communication and transparency throughout your build, with consistent updates along the way. You’ll always know what’s happening on site and what’s planned in the weeks ahead. We use Wunderbuild, a project management platform, to share weekly site updates, schedules, and chat messages, alongside regular onsite visits and meetings. Our business hours are Monday to Friday, 7am to 3pm.

Yes- at JVB, we’re committed to building energy-efficient homes that are comfortable, healthy, and environmentally responsible. At JVB, we hold a Certified Passive House Tradesperson credential, which focuses on advanced techniques for airtightness, insulation, and thermal performance.

Even if your project isn’t a certified Passive House, we incorporate key passive design principles, like orientation, thermal mass, insulation, and ventilation- into every build to improve energy efficiency and long-term comfort.

Yes, absolutely! At the three-month mark, we’ll carry out a maintenance check to review any items that may need attention. Before this visit, you can submit any concerns through our online defect portal, making the process smooth and efficient. And of course, if anything comes up after handover- we’re always here to help.

We pride ourselves on maintaining relationships with our Owners, and will be checking in to see how things are going!

Our Pre-Construction Process is designed to support you through the early planning and design stages, helping to shape and refine your vision before construction begins. We follow this process closely with every client to ensure a smooth and well-organised building journey.

During this phase, our team works on your behalf, collaborating with your architect or designer, engineers, and local authorities to ensure all details are considered and everything stays on track from the outset.

The planning stage is often the longest part of your building journey. Pre-Construction can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months, or sometimes even up to 15 months, depending on your project’s complexity, permit approvals, and the time taken for design and selections. That’s why it’s so important to get in touch with your builder early. The more organised and pragmatic you are, the smoother the process will be.

We have developed a three stage process for all our owners:

1. Preliminary Budget Estimate- The PBE is a cost estimate based on your concept plans. We use industry software and our internal data to produce a cost range for your proposed home. This step gives you clarity and confidence to move forward, helping ensure your vision aligns with your budget right from the start.

2. Budget Estimate- This is part of our Pre Construction Process. Based on Preliminary Plans and engineering. This report outlines inclusions, exclusions, and allowances. We’ll work with you to refine your choices, value manage if needed, and adjust your inclusions to meet your budget.

3. Cost Proposal- A comprehensive and highly specified quote. Once accepted, your Cost Proposal forms part of the Building Contract.

By law, all Victorian builders must take out Domestic Building Insurance for each project. This covers you as the owner in the event that the Builder cannot complete the works as per your contract, or the Builder cannot carry out remedial works after handover. We also carry Contract Works and Public Liability Insurance, this covers your build during construction for events like fire, theft, and third-party damage.

We use standard contracts provided by Master Builders Victoria- an established and trusted industry body. These contracts are widely recognised and ensure clear terms and protections for both builder and client.

Each JVB project includes a Build Specification document, which we work on collaboratively during Pre-Construction. It outlines all the inclusions and exclusions for your home.

We will provide advice on value management, but ultimately these selection decisions are to be made by you or your Interior Designer.

We highly recommend engaging an interior designer to guide you through your selections. However, if you choose not to, we’ll provide a complete list of the selections needed to prepare a Cost Proposal for your project- this becomes your Building Specification.

Your Building Specification outlines all inclusions and exclusions, along with the responsibilities of all parties and trades involved. It’s a key document that forms part of your building contract.

We use Permission to Build for all our building permits. They are independent, licensed building surveyors who manage the permit process from start to finish, ensuring compliance and timely progress throughout our projects.

1. Foundation/Concrete Slab

2. Frame & Structure

3. Roofing & Windows

4. Lock Up- External Cladding or Brickwork

5. Plastering & Internal Fix Out, Cabinetry

6. Painting, Tiling, Floor Coverings, Trade fit offs

7. Handover

8. Three Month Maintenance Check.

After signing a Preliminary Agreement, we’ll be able to give you an indication of where your project may fit within our schedule.

While we don’t hold commencement spots, we’ll keep you informed throughout the Pre Construction Process so you have a clear understanding of timing as your project progresses. An accurate start date can be confirmed once your Build Contract is signed and your deposit has been received.

It’s completely normal for changes to come up during a custom build as ideas evolve. That’s why we guide you carefully through the Pre Construction Process to help make decisions as clear as possible before construction begins.

If changes are needed during the build, all Variations are managed through Wunderbuild, the same platform we use to communicate with you throughout your project. This allows you to easily review, track and approve Variations in one place, with clear visibility around any cost or timeline changes before works proceed.

Our team is comprised of a Manager/Estimator, Construction Manager, two Site Foreman and four Apprentice Carpenters, as well as our Office Administrator. All of our carpentry staff are employed full-time and work exclusively for JVB.

This allows us to train and develop our team to deliver the high standard of workmanship we expect on every project- and gives us greater control over quality, consistency, and timelines.

You can check out our recent projects on our social media platforms, where we regularly share updates and behind-the-scenes details from site.

Our website also features a portfolio of JVB homes- both under construction and completed. Plus, we’ve partnered with Archipro, where you can view some of our finished projects in more detail.