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Frequently Asked Questions.
Straight Answers, Before You Build.
Everything you need to know about building, renovating and extending in Perth.
Cost depends on the design, size, site and finishes, and for renovations and extensions, on the condition of the existing home. We don't give ballpark figures without understanding your project. After an initial consultation, we provide a detailed, itemised quote.
We start with an initial consultation to understand your brief and budget. We then review your drawings, inspect the site and prepare a detailed, itemised quote that sets out what's included and what isn't, so you can compare it properly.
Usually, yes. Higher-performance materials, more careful detailing and airtightness work add to the build cost. In return you get lower running costs, steadier indoor temperatures and a more durable home. We'll show where the extra cost sits in your itemised quote.
01.
Costs and Quotes.
Get in Contact
How do I get started?
Tell us about your project and we’ll arrange an initial consultation. There’s no obligation, and we take on around five homes at a time.
It depends on the size and type of project, the design, the site and the approvals needed. Once we understand your project, we'll talk you through the expected programme before you commit.
Most projects follow the same path: an initial consultation, design and documentation with your architect or designer, approvals, a detailed, itemised quote and contract, construction, and then handover with a defects inspection. We keep you informed at each stage.
No. If you already have plans, we'll review them and provide a quote. If you're still at the design stage, we can recommend architects and designers we've worked with and get involved early to help keep the design buildable and within budget. Getting a builder involved early is one of the best ways to avoid costly redesigns later.
02.
Process.
Almost always. Most new homes, renovations and extensions need a building permit from your local council, such as the City of Stirling or the Town of Cottesloe. Some projects also need development (planning) approval from the council first, depending on size, setbacks and the local planning scheme.
For a certified application, a private building surveyor first checks the plans and issues a Certificate of Design Compliance. The application then goes to your local council, which issues the building permit. Where development approval is needed, that comes from the council too, usually before the building permit. We work with your designer through each step.
Yes. We've worked on sloping blocks, sandy coastal soils and tight setbacks. These sites need more planning and sometimes extra engineering, but they rarely rule out a good result. We'll flag any site-specific issues early, before you're committed.
03.
Approvals and Regulations.
A Passive House is designed to hold a comfortable indoor temperature year-round with very little heating or cooling. It uses five principles: continuous external insulation, airtight construction, high-performance windows and doors, thermal-bridge-free detailing and heat recovery ventilation.A certified Passivhaus uses up to about 90% less energy for heating and cooling than a typical home. Day to day, most owners notice a quieter home, steady temperatures and less dust indoors.
For many clients, yes, though the benefits differ from colder climates. In Perth the main gains are solar control, steady indoor temperatures through summer with far less air-conditioning, and filtered fresh air.
A certified Passivhaus is modelled with the PHPP design software, built to the Passive House Institute (PHI) standard, airtightness-tested at completion, and independently certified.Building to Passivhaus principles means applying the same five principles without formal certification. That's how we build, and our team includes three certified Passivhaus tradespeople. If you'd like to pursue formal certification, we can talk through what's involved.
Not necessarily. We work with architects who know Passivhaus well and with those who are new to it. We advise from early design on orientation, form, window placement and detailing, so the decisions that affect performance are made correctly.
04.
Passivhaus.
Around five homes at a time, so each project gets proper attention. We're not a volume builder.
We work across Perth, with a focus on the coastal suburbs from Fremantle to Mullaloo, including Fremantle, Cottesloe, City Beach, Scarborough, Trigg, Sorrento, Hillarys and Mullaloo. If your project is elsewhere in Perth, get in touch.
Yes. X-ON Construction is the trading name of Xon Construction Pty Ltd (ABN 55 626 196 012), a registered building contractor in WA (BC105203). Jason Tincey is the registered building practitioner and nominated supervisor. We're a member of Master Builders WA.Under WA law, residential building work over $20,000 needs home indemnity insurance taken out in the owner's name before the builder accepts payment or starts work.
Yes. Our renovation in Batavia Way, Salter Point won Best Renovation Project, Best Alterations & Additions and Best Alterations & Additions $530,000 – $750,000 at the 2022 Master Builders-Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards. It was then a national finalist in the National Renovations/Extensions Award – $650,000 to $1M at the 2022 Master Builders Australia National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards. Our Forrest Street, Cottesloe renovation was a finalist in Best Alterations & Additions Over $1,000,000 at the 2024 Master Builders-Commonwealth Bank Housing Excellence Awards. Our Lewin Way, Scarborough home was a finalist in Sustainability in Residential Building at the 2025 Master Builders WA Building Excellence Awards.
In some cases, yes, particularly fixtures, fittings and finishes you've sourced yourself. We'll go through this during pre-construction planning to make sure items are specified correctly and arrive on time. Late client-supplied items can hold up the programme.
We stay in touch for any defects that come up after handover. Your home is also covered by the statutory warranties that apply under Western Australian building law.
Get in touch. We'll arrange an initial consultation to understand your project, timeline and budget. There's no obligation, and we'll tell you plainly whether we're the right builder for the job.
05.
Working With Us.
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