New Build Owner's Kit

You paid for the upgrades. This is how you check you got them.

The New Build Owner's Kit is an organisation kit for Australians building a new home with a builder, from signing the contract to the end of the defects period. Check your inclusions, keep every variation and payment on record, and walk into your practical completion inspection (PCI) with a clear list.

A$47 once. Eight PDF guides and checklists plus one Excel workbook, delivered as a ZIP. No physical item or subscription.

What's inside

• Start Here guide: how a build runs, who checks what, and how to set up one reliable build folder.
• Pre-start & contract review checklist: 62 things to find in your documents, plus 20 questions to ask your builder before site start.
• Inclusions & selections audit: 207 inclusion and selection prompts, room by room, to check against your signed selections. Printable, and built into the workbook.
• Six site visit checklists: slab, frame, lock-up, fixing, pre-PCI walk and PCI/handover day. What to check, what to photograph and what to ask.
• Defect log: plus how to write a defect with a location, photo reference and follow-up status.
• The Owner's Workbook (.xlsx): inclusions audit, defects, an automatic "send to builder" list, variations, progress claims, an outside-the-contract budget and a dashboard that adds it all up.
• 14 builder email scripts: polite, on-the-record emails for every situation, plus how to escalate calmly.
• Handover documents & keys checklist: plus your first 7 days in the new home.
• State & territory notes: the official regulator, warranty scheme and dispute body for all 8 states and territories.

Use it at every stage

Pre-start → Slab → Frame → Lock-up → Fixing → PCI → Handover → Defects period

Your inspector checks the build. You check what you paid for.

An independent inspector looks at workmanship and structure. This kit covers the owner's side: the tapware, benchtops, power points, ceiling heights and extras in your signed selections, the variations you approved and the claims you pay. It works alongside an inspector, not instead of one.

The details

• Digital download: 8 A4 PDFs (printable, with fillable checklist boxes) + 1 workbook (.xlsx)
• Excel workbook supplied; can be imported into Google Sheets. A computer is recommended for setup.
• Made for Australian builds: Australian terms, A4 pages, every state and territory
• 30-day money-back guarantee

For file setup and download help, see Download help.

Questions

We're already at lock-up. Is it too late?
No. Start with the checklist for your stage and the inclusions audit. Most selections only become visible at fixing, so there's plenty left to check.

Do we still need an independent inspector?
For most builds it's worth it. The kit covers different ground: your inclusions, your paperwork and your money.

Is it specific to my state?
The checklists work anywhere in Australia. The State Notes list the official bodies and websites for your state or territory.

Do I need Excel?
An Excel workbook (.xlsx) is included. You can import a copy into Google Sheets; check the dashboard and calculations after conversion.

Can my partner use it too?
Yes. The kit is for your household's build. If using Google Sheets, share a converted copy privately with your partner.

Does it suit knockdown-rebuilds and custom builders?
Yes, if you're building with a licensed builder under a contract. It isn't designed for owner-builders.

What if it's not for us?
Email nboksupport@gmail.com within 30 days for a full refund. This is on top of your rights under Australian Consumer Law.

How do I get help?
Email nboksupport@gmail.com with your order number, or see our contact page.

General information only. The kit helps you organise records and ask better questions. It doesn't replace a licensed building inspector, your building surveyor or certifier, or legal advice.