Construction Option Loans

Download this quick guide on applications for your construction loan clients.
Licensed Builder Fixed Price Contract: Steps from Application to Final Payment
1. Application
- Existing lending standards apply
- For single land and build applications, your client’s full contribution is required at settlement
- For separate land and build applications with lengthy delays to build, an Approval in Principle (AIP) for the build should be completed
- Where First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is being used, arrange for documents to be sent in with the application
2. To-Be-Erected Valuation
- Correct entry into ApplyOnline will ensure a To-Be-Erected valuation is ordered
- Ensure the valuer has all the information required for the valuation by uploading to Valex
3. Approval and Loan Offer
- Review valuation to ensure payment schedule is to industry standard
- Review whether the valuation requires a Quantity Surveyor Report. Please note that a QSR may be required at each progress inspection
- Review risk ratings which require referral to PACE
- Loan Offer is sent once the loan is approved
4. Preparation for Settlement
- Ensure your client has deposited their FULL contribution into a BankSA account ready for settlement
- Return your client’s signed verbal payment authority to allow for phone requests of payments
5. Settlement
- Operations Team manages the land settlement, and the loan then migrates to the payments team post settlement
- If a payment is required to the builder as part of settlement, it will be made to the builder at settlement
6. Payments
- Payments are paid to the builder or reimbursed to your client for amount already paid
- Progress Inspections are required at certain stages and are completed by the valuer
Frequently asked questions
- What is the construction option?
- Is there a construction option fee?
- When can construction start?
- How do ‘progress payments’ work?
- What are the stages of construction?
- What documents are needed?
- Could my client use a home loan top up instead of the construction option?
- What’s the difference between 'fixed price' and 'cost plus'?
- What’s the difference between ‘structural’ and ‘non-structural’?
- Are there acceptable building types?
- Can you give me an example scenario?
- Do you have any construction tips?
- Can my client borrow to buy land?
- How do I apply for the construction option?
- How long does my client have to finish the Build?
- When are all contributions required?
- Can my client include additional work outside of their Builder’s Fixed price contract?
- Can the First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) be used towards the Build?
- Can my client request payments to the Builder over the phone?
- Can my client borrow money to build a home if they are an Owner Builder?
- What is the cash out limit?
Guides and Resources
Important information
Credit Criteria, fees and charges apply. Terms and conditions available on request. Based on BankSA's credit criteria, residential lending is not available for Non-Australian Resident borrowers.
This information's been prepared without taking your clients objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. For this reason, your client consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. This includes any tax consequences arising from any promotions for investors and customers should seek independent advice on any taxation matters.
*Comparison rate: The comparison rate is based on a loan of $150,000 over the term of 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.
Also see Construction Option Guide FAQs (PDF 158KB)
BankSA - A Division of Westpac Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714.