Award-recognised local builder

APB Business Partner of the Year 2025 winner and a four-time finalist across the APB and HIA Hunter Region Awards.

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Choosing Your Builder: The Questions That Actually Matter

Choosing the right builder is about more than comparing prices. This guide covers the questions worth asking, what to look for when comparing builders, and some of the common budget surprises to be aware of before you commit.
If you're researching builders and aren't quite sure where to start, this guide will help you know what to look for.

Award-recognised local builder

APB Business Partner of the Year 2025 winner and a four-time finalist across the APB and HIA Hunter Region Awards.

Business Partner of the Year winner colour
Conversion Master - Finalist Badge - Colour
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HIA finalist logo

The Manning Process

Our transparent build process allows you to stay informed and in control with 24/7 portal access and direct builder contact

1
Initial Conversation

2
Discovery

3
Concept Design

4
Preliminary Agreement

5
Fixed Price Contract

Reviews

What our clients have to say

Posted on Google Google
Viison Kitchens & Joinery profile picture
Viison Kitchens & Joinery
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Working alongside Jake, Emily and the Manning Homes Team is an absolute pleasure. As a kitchen manufacturer and supplier, having reliable, professional builders around you is critical, and they have proven to be an outstanding partner for our business. Communication throughout our projects together has been seamless from initial design through to installation. The Manning Homes team is highly organized, professional, and entirely dedicated to delivering premium quality for their clients. We place a massive value on our relationship with them, highly recommend their building services, and look forward to smashing out the next project together!
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Sanjana Acharya profile picture
Sanjana Acharya
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Manning homes was recommended for my renovation. Jake and Emily from Manning homes have been very friendly, approachable and professional throughout the project. They have excellent rapport with their tradespeople which made the entire process smoother. Their attention to details is exceptional and the finished project is beautiful. I would highly recommend them.
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matthew mcquillan profile picture
matthew mcquillan
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Myself and the team at Mid Coast Stairs had the pleasure of working with Jake and the team at Manning Homes on a recent project. Their communication was excellent throughout, keeping us updated on progress and making the whole process run smoothly. Nothing was ever a problem, and Jake was open to new ideas around design to help improve the finished product for the client. It was a great experience working with such a professional and collaborative team. We look forward to many more projects together in the future!
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Elizabeth Bridger profile picture
Elizabeth Bridger
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Wow – just wow! An outstanding job by Jake Manning from Manning Homes. Jake and Emily truly listened to our needs and renovation goals. They offered thoughtful design options and maintained open, honest communication throughout the entire process. Thanks to this transparency, we had no hidden costs at the end of our build – just great results. Their pricing was very competitive, and Jake went above and beyond to source the best quality materials. We highly recommend Jake and Emily from Manning Homes – an absolute pleasure to work with!
20 Daphine street Finals-56

Why Manning Homes

See Everything, Anytime

Our intuitive client portal puts you in control with 24/7 access to your project. View live updates, timelines, progress photos, and directly message your builder all in one place. It's complete transparency designed to give you peace of mind at every stage of your build journey.

Your Vision, Built Right

Every Manning Home is a one-of-a-kind reflection of our client’s lifestyle, needs, and vision. As true custom home specialists, we take the time to listen, design thoughtfully, and deliver a quality built home that brings your dream to life.

Clear, Reliable Pricing

With fixed price contracts, you’ll know exactly what to expect - no surprises, no stress. It means you can budget with confidence and focus on the excitement of your new home.

We Don't Overbook

Your build won’t be lost in a queue. We cap our projects so we can focus fully on yours, ensuring quality, communication, and efficiency from start to finish.

Blog Posts

Designing a Home for Coastal Living in Forster-Tuncurry

When you hear the words coastal home, it’s easy to picture white interiors, light timbers, soft blues…

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What Happens Before We Can Accurately Price a Custom Home?

One of the more difficult questions to answer early in a custom building project is also one…

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The “Custom” in Custom Builder

A few weeks ago, Jake and I met with prospective clients at their home to talk through…

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