How to avoid costly delays when building a new home

Builder-developers Karine Mac and Nick Hague have learned by experience just how much harder it is to build a home post-Covid. The business partners have worked on more than 50 new homes combined, building at a time when Brisbane is failing to meet its growing property demand. Builder-developers and business partners Karine Mac and Nick Hague have learned by experience just how much harder it is to build a home post-Covid. Photo: Patrick Woods. “[During Covid] you could actually make a mistake,” Ms Mac said. “The cost was going to be recovered, because the market was just bonkers. “Nowadays, if you don’t know how to manage a mistake or a delay, that will cost you, because the market has softened significantly.” Builder-developers Karine Mac and Nick Hague are selling their latest build at 52 Olive St, Nundah. National property and construction prices have skyrocketed since the pandemic, while new ABS analysis found Queensland’s home approvals were more than 30,000 behind target. Having developed homes for more than a decade, Ms Mac said limited builders and higher material costs left little wriggle room for people designing their dream home. “A delay can wipe out your profit,” she ...