Report 01
Site Assessment Report
From $600
An independent analysis on whether a block will actually work for what you want to build. Planning policies, R-Code zoning, orientation, contours, likely soil type, service connections and likely site cost risks are just some of the items we cover. Think of it like a pre-purchase inspection for your new address, just like you might get before you buy a car. (Except the block you're about to buy is worth a lot more than a car, and there are a lot more things to keep in mind than people realise).
What's included
- State and local government town planning review and building codes analysis, including R-codes zoning, covenants, local planning policy impacts and development potential.
- Energy efficiency opportunities and weaknesses based on orientation and solar access analysis, privacy considerations and neighbouring structures, and how they may impact the type of house you intend to build.
- Service availability and suitability of connection locations, including water, sewer, power, gas, NBN, Telstra, local government infrastructure, and the practicality and cost implications of each.
- Advice on the potential requirement for retaining, brick build-ups, fence replacement and the design impacts associated. Analysis of available contours and levels of the neighbouring properties. Likely soil classification combined with potential retaining requirements, to provide initial advice with regard to necessary cost allowances for retaining and earthworks.
- Accessibility constraints and points to consider regarding the council verge, pedestrians, vehicles and associated traffic. Location-specific points of note, including possible noise attenuation, bushfire prone area mapping, coastal conditions and more.
- Video-call to discuss the review and answer any questions.
- Written summary with clear recommendations.
You'll walk away armed with information, knowing
- Whether the block suits the home you have in mind, or if there are unexpected constraints you'll need to work around.
- The risk of additional site costs that could be added to the initial quoted price.
- Compliance traps that could limit certain design briefs or trigger lengthy council approval times.
- Whether you feel the right decision is to proceed, walk away, or even use the valuable information to re-negotiate the asking price.
Why it matters
The wrong block can quietly add tens of thousands to a build, or rule out the home you actually want. Most issues are discoverable before settlement, but only if you know where to look, and what the information means.
Report 02
Documentation and Contract Review
From $480
A pre-signing review of a builder's contract, inclusions and allowances against what was actually quoted. We read the quote, specification, addenda, plans and the contract terms and conditions properly, and tell you what's missing, what's risky and what to negotiate before you sign.
What's included
- Clause-by-clause read of the contract and addenda
- Cross-check of inclusions, PC items, Provisional Sums and allowances against the original quote
- Ensure the addenda matches the working drawings
- Suggestions for what's missing, what's vague, where conflicts exist, and what's likely to trigger a variation
- Helpful notes, in plain English, ready to take back to the builder
You'll walk away knowing
- Where the contract is fair, and where it's tilted in the builder's favour
- The provisional sums and allowances most likely to blow out
- If anything has been quietly excluded from the original quote and specifications
- The exact items to renegotiate before you sign
Why it matters
The day you sign is the day the control of the project transfers to the builder. Variations, missing items, and ambiguous provisional sum allowances are where most build budgets unravel. A few hours of work in the right week can change the next twelve months.
Report 03
Independent Design Review
From $720 includes a 90-minute meeting
Written feedback on your home design, before taking the next step. We provide an independent, third-party review of the design, focusing on practicality, design flair, structural issues, the risk of cost blow-outs, missed opportunities, future resale and the subtle design traps that look fine on paper but don't work well in real life.
What's included
- Full review of plans, elevations and key construction details
- Likely construction cost at your desired level of specification
- Layout logic, traffic flow, storage, light, cross ventilation and orientation for energy efficiency
- Resale and lifestyle considerations specific to your suburb and stage of life
- 90-minute meeting to talk through the findings
- Written summary with recommendations and ideas to take back to your designer or architect
You'll walk away knowing
- Where the design is genuinely strong, and where there are areas of concern
- The features driving cost without adding value
- The small layout shifts that could change how the home feels and performs
- What to fix now, what's optional, and what to leave alone
Why it matters
Architects and stand-alone building designers design for a fee. Builders that offer a design service do it for their profit margin. As an independent third party, we review your design with your best interests in mind, so that you can have confidence in the results.
Report 04
Builder Due Diligence Report
From $360
How well do you really know your builder? ASIC, credit, licence and reference checks on a specific builder, plus a review of recent project history, timelines, and internal industry reputation. Official and informal finance checks, including any red flags regarding insolvency risk. Essential background checks before you hand over a deposit for a six or seven figure build, to a company you haven't worked with before.
What's included
- ASIC company search and director history
- Credit check and review of judgements or insolvencies
- DEMIRS (formerly the Building Commission) licence verification and disciplinary history
- Structured questions we ask on your behalf to up to two provided references
- Recent project history
- Written summary of findings
- Video call to discuss the results
You'll walk away knowing
- More about the company behind the brand, and whether there are any signs they are not financially stable
- Whether the licence holder has a proven track record, or a history of compliance issues
- If there is any evidence of previous trades and suppliers having issues getting paid
- Timelines of recent projects, with claims verified by satellite imagery
Why it matters
WA has seen a wave of builder insolvencies and licence issues since 2022. The cost of due diligence is just a rounding error compared to the cost of recovery if the worst were to happen. By the time you're hearing rumours, it's usually too late.
Flagship report
The BIWA Review
From $1,500 bundled, lower than the four reports apart
Our most comprehensive one-off review. Land, design, quotes, contract and builder, all reviewed together, with a single written action plan at the end. All of the checks and balances included in the four individual reviews, in one comprehensive analysis, and up to a 2 hour online or face-to-face meeting to discuss.
What's included
- Site Assessment of your block, in full
- Independent Design Review
- Documentation and Contract Review against the quote
- Builder Due Diligence on your shortlisted builder
- A deliberate action plan, with advice and recommendations
- Working session with you, either face-to-face or online, to walk through every finding and answer any questions.
You'll walk away knowing
- Whether the whole project, as it stands, is set up to succeed
- The single biggest risk in the package, and how to neutralise it
- What looks like good value, and which items are more likely to lead to costly variations
- A clear, ordered list of what to address before you go any further
Why it matters
The decisions interact. The right block can be with the wrong choice for the design you have in mind. The contract before you might not suit the situation. Even a good builder isn't necessarily the right builder for your project. Reviewing them all together catches the connections that single-report reviews can miss, for less than the four reports would cost on their own.
