House and land package checklist: what to check before you buy
A house and land package can make building your first home feel a little more straightforward. You can compare the block, home design and overall cost together rather than trying to piece everything together yourself.
That does not mean every package is the same.
Before choosing one, it is worth checking the land, home, inclusions, contracts and timing so you know what you are actually comparing.
Here is a practical house and land package checklist to work through before you commit.
1. Does the location work for you?
Start with the part you cannot change later: where you are building.
Think beyond whether you like the suburb or estate and consider what everyday life will actually look like there.
Check:
If you are looking in a new estate, make sure you know the difference between what is open now and what is proposed for later.
2. Check the block of land
Two house and land packages in the same estate can have very different blocks.
Look at:
The home design should work with the particular block, not just technically fit within its boundaries.
Think about where the home will sit, what outdoor space will remain and whether the block works for how you actually want to live.
3. Is the land titled?
If the land is titled, it has progressed further through the subdivision process and may allow you to move towards building sooner, subject to finance, approvals and the building process.
If it is untitled, ask:
Untitled land is common in growing estates, but the expected timing should still work for you.
4. Does the home design actually suit you?
It is easy to focus on bedrooms and square metres, but a floorplan needs to work in real life too.
Walk through the plan and think about:
A slightly larger home is not automatically a better home.
Sometimes the smarter floorplan is the one that wastes less space.
5. Understand the package price
Make sure you know exactly what the advertised price represents.
A house and land package generally combines the price of the land with the price of building the specified home on that particular block.
Mayde house and land packages are fixed cost, which makes it easier to understand the cost of the specified home and land combination upfront.
Even with a fixed-cost package, check what has been included in that price and what could change if you decide to personalise or upgrade the home.
6. Check the site works
Site costs can make a big difference when building a new home.
Before comparing package prices, understand what has been allowed for on the particular block.
This can include things such as:
With a fixed-cost house and land package, the relevant site works allowed for within that particular package should be clear.
If you are comparing Mayde with another builder, make sure you are comparing like with like rather than comparing one package that includes site works with another that does not.
7. Check what is included in the home
You do not need to compare every tap and tile before deciding whether a package is worth considering.
Start with the bigger categories.
Look at what is included for:
What is included can vary considerably between builders, so do not assume something shown in a display home or marketing image forms part of the package.
8. Know what you would want to upgrade
Once you understand the standard inclusions, think about what you would genuinely want to change.
Maybe the included kitchen works perfectly for you. Maybe you know straight away that you would prefer different flooring or upgraded heating and cooling.
Make a short list of:
Must have
Things you would definitely change.
Nice to have
Things you would upgrade if the budget allowed.
Happy as is
Things you would happily keep from the included range.
This gives you a much more realistic way to compare packages.
There is not much point choosing the cheapest option if you immediately want to change half of it.
9. Check the facade
The facade shown on the house and land listing may be a specific facade included with that package.
Check:
This is particularly important in masterplanned estates where the developer may have its own requirements for how homes look from the street.
10. Understand the two contracts
House and land packages usually involve two separate agreements:
Even though they are presented together as a package, they do different jobs.
Before signing, make sure you understand:
If you are unsure about anything in either contract, have it checked by an appropriately qualified professional before signing.
11. Understand the payment timing
You usually do not pay for a new build in exactly the same way you would pay for an established home.
The land purchase and construction component may be financed separately, with construction funds generally released as the build progresses.
Before committing to a package, make sure you understand:
Your lender or broker can explain how this applies to your finance.
12. Check the build and move-in timing
Do not assume that buying a house and land package means you will be moving in by a particular date.
Your overall timing can be influenced by:
Ask about the expected process and major milestones so you understand what needs to happen between signing and getting the keys.
If you are currently renting, also think about how flexible you may need to be around your lease.
13. Look beyond the advertised package price
Your house and land package is a big part of your budget, but it will not necessarily represent every dollar involved in buying, building and moving.
Depending on your situation, also budget for things such as:
First home buyer grants, concessions or government schemes may also affect your overall budget depending on your eligibility.
14. Compare the whole package
If you have narrowed your search down to two or three packages, put them side by side.
Compare:
| Check | Package 1 | Package 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total package cost | ||
| Location | ||
| Land size | ||
| Lot width | ||
| Title timing | ||
| Home design | ||
| Bedrooms and bathrooms | ||
| Facade | ||
| Site works | ||
| Flooring | ||
| Heating and cooling | ||
| Kitchen and appliances | ||
| Bathroom inclusions | ||
| Driveway / landscaping / fencing | ||
| Upgrades you would want | ||
| Expected timing |
This is much more useful than comparing two prices and assuming everything underneath them is equivalent.
House and land package checklist
Before choosing a package, make sure you can answer these questions:
If you cannot answer one of them yet, that does not necessarily mean there is a problem. It just gives you another question to ask.
House and land package FAQs
What should I check before buying a house and land package?
Check the location, block, land title, home design, package cost, site works, inclusions, facade, potential upgrades, contracts and expected timing.
You should also understand what costs sit outside the package.
Is a house and land package fixed price?
It depends on the builder and package.
Mayde house and land packages are fixed cost, meaning the price is based on the specified home, land and inclusions for that particular package.
Changes or optional upgrades you choose can still affect what you ultimately spend.
Do house and land packages include site costs?
This varies between builders and packages.
Check exactly what site works have been allowed for rather than assuming they are included because the home and land are advertised together.
Should I choose the land or house first?
Either approach can work.
A house and land package removes some of this guesswork because a particular home has already been matched with a particular block.
You should still make sure both the land and home suit what you want rather than choosing the package based on only one of them.
Do house and land packages have two contracts?
Usually, yes.
There is generally one agreement for the land purchase and another for construction of the home.
Can I change a house and land package?
There may be opportunities to personalise your home or choose upgrades, depending on the builder, home and package.
Check what can be changed, what is already included and whether your selections would affect the package cost.
Is the cheapest house and land package the best value?
Not necessarily.
Compare the land, home design, site works and inclusions as well as the price. A package that initially costs more may already include things you would otherwise need to add or upgrade later.
Ready to compare your options?
Take your time, compare the whole package and ask questions about anything that is not clear.
The goal is not simply to find the lowest number. It is to find a home, block and overall cost that work together.
Important information
Information on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. House and land package pricing, inclusions, site works, title timing, finance requirements, contracts, government assistance and available selections can vary by package, property, location and buyer and may change over time. Always review the specific package information, plans, specifications and contracts provided to you and seek appropriately qualified legal or financial advice where required before making property decisions.
Information last reviewed: August 2026.
