Rules, lending policies and government programmes can change. This article is not legal, planning, financial, credit, tax or registration advice. Obtain advice for your property and circumstances.
1. Confirm the intended use
Is the home for permanent residence, family accommodation, long-term rental, short-term rental, a site office or temporary occupation? The intended use can change the planning, building, fire-safety, health, insurance, registration and land-use requirements. Do not advertise or accept bookings until the lawful use is confirmed.
2. Identify the home type
Confirm whether the proposal is a fixed building, a secondary dwelling, a relocatable or manufactured home, or a tiny home that remains on a trailer. For a road trailer, a VIN alone is not enough; the applicable vehicle-approval or RAV pathway and state or territory registration requirements must also be satisfied.
3. Check the property
Review zoning, lot size, dwelling entitlement, easements, bushfire and flood mapping, biodiversity constraints, heritage, setbacks and whether a lawful principal dwelling already exists.
4. Review access before design is finalised
Measure road width, gates, driveway gradients, corners, overhead powerlines, trees, turning areas and crane reach. Restricted access can affect model choice, delivery method and cost.
5. Plan water, wastewater and power
Determine whether the site will use sewer, an approved on-site wastewater system, mains water, tanks, grid power or off-grid systems. Utility design must suit the expected occupancy and local requirements.
6. Confirm the approval pathway
An eligible fixed secondary dwelling may use complying development; another proposal may need a development application, construction certificate or local-government approval. A trailer registration does not replace land-use advice.
7. Obtain written scope and exclusions
Before proceeding, obtain a quotation that identifies the home, trailer if applicable, delivery, foundations, craneage, utility connections, approvals, consultant reports, installation, external works and exceptional access costs.