At Matilda, we’re thrilled to welcome you into the community. To help you along the way, here are some key steps, tips and reminders to ensure your home building journey gets off to a smooth start.

1. Selecting your builder the right way

Choosing a builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make now. To make a well-informed choice:

  • Look for a builder with experience in residential estates like Matilda, and who understands land and streetscape guidelines.
  • Ask for references and view recent builds (especially in comparable lot sizes).
  • Confirm they are comfortable working with our specific design guidelines.
  • Check their build schedule, contract terms, and inclusions – and ask how they’ll manage communication with you.
  • Ensure you understand how site preparation (set-out, temporary fencing, service connections) will be handled after settlement.

2. Understanding the Design Guidelines & why they matter

At Matilda, our Design Guidelines are in place to protect the overall quality, character and value of the community. Following them benefits you (by helping maximise your lot’s value) and the neighbourhood. Key areas to consider:

  • Façade treatments (materials, roof pitch, window proportions)
  • Front setbacks and landscaping interface with the streetscape
  • Driveway and garage design (how it presents from the street)
  • Side and rear boundary treatments
  • Ensure your builder submits all required plans in a timely manner for review.

Adhering to these guidelines means your home will not only meet your expectations, but also integrate beautifully with your surroundings, increasing long-term value and neighbour harmony.

3. Free Landscaping for Matilda Buyers – Don’t miss it

One of the standout inclusions at Matilda is our free front landscaping offer. This is a fantastic opportunity to start your home build with a beautifully designed frontage — saving you time, money and effort.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

  • Choose your preferred design as soon as possible to align with your build timing. (You’ll find display examples at our Sales Office.)
  • Coordinate with your builder and landscaping team so that the front garden installation coincides with your build finish / practical completion.
  • Ensure the landscaper knows the scope (front garden only — check what’s included) and that you understand any maintenance obligations after installation.
  • Because your home façade and landscaping are very visible, this is also a great reason to ensure your builder’s façade materials and finishes complement your garden design.

4. Site preparation & service connections

With settlement concluded, you’re now responsible for coordinating the next steps. Here are a few practical items:

  • Consider installing temporary fencing or otherwise securing the block (to prevent unauthorised access, dumping, vandalism).
  • Your builder should liaise with you about where services (water, sewer, electricity, NBN-ready) will be connected, and confirm expected timing.
  • Confirm with your builder the pathway from land handover to build commencement. Ask: when does the builder need to submit final working drawings, when will they apply for a building permit, and how long after the permit is issued until construction starts?

5. Keep the nature strip tidy & be a good neighbour

You’re now part of the wider Matilda community. That means:

  • The nature strip in front of your lot is part of your responsibility; keeping it tidy helps maintain the entire estate aesthetic.
  • If you notice any issues (overgrown, rubbish dumping, unauthorised activity), it’s beneficial to report them early, especially while your build is underway.
  • Communication with nearby neighbours can help reduce potential build disruption. E.g., let them know when major works start, or when your builder may be using shared access.

6. Stay informed & engage with the community

As your build journey begins, staying informed and connected makes all the difference. The Matilda Sales Team remains your main point of contact throughout this next phase. They’re always happy to answer questions about your lot, the build process or your landscaping entitlements.

You can also keep an eye on progress within the estate by visiting the Matilda Community Portal, where 360° image updates provide a real-time view of how your stage is coming to life. For your builder, there’s an Online Builders Portal designed to streamline submissions and keep everything on track with Matilda’s design guidelines.

And of course, don’t forget to check in on our News Page and follow us on social media for the latest community updates, construction milestones, and lifestyle inspiration. Staying connected helps you share in the excitement as Matilda continues to grow, from your lot to the wider neighbourhood around you.

Settlement is just the beginning. The exciting part is building your home and becoming part of the Matilda community. By taking the right steps now — choosing the right builder, following the design guidelines, leveraging your free landscaping, and staying connected — you’ll help ensure the process is as seamless as possible.

If you have any questions or need a refresher on design guidelines or landscaping options, our team is always ready to help. Welcome home to Matilda!