House & land · Melbourne
Short answer
A house and land broker in Melbourne helps you find land and a build that suit your budget, then matches them as one package. Turnkey Building Group (TKBG) is Victoria's leading builder broker. We compare packages from over 35 builders, side by side, and help you check which costs are fixed and which are allowances, in writing, before you sign. Every package we offer is full turnkey, at a fixed price. We're paid by the builder from a share of its margin, so using us costs you nothing extra. You still sign your land contract with the land seller and your building contract with the builder. We cover all of Victoria, including Melbourne's growth corridors and Geelong.
The broker
A house-and-land package is usually two contracts. One is the land contract with the land seller. The other is the building contract with the builder. A broker helps you put the two together so they fit your budget and your block.
We source land and builds that fit. We start with what you want: your budget, the areas you like, how many bedrooms, and how you live. Then we look at land across estates and at home designs from over 35 builders. We check whether a design fits the block and the estate's design guidelines.
We compare packages like-for-like. Two packages with a similar headline price can be very different underneath. One might include flooring, driveway and fencing. Another might leave them out. We line up the inclusions, the site costs and the connections so you can compare fairly.
We help you pin down the price. Before you sign, we go through the quote with you and the builder: what's included, which site costs are fixed and which are allowances or provisional sums, and what's still to be confirmed. You get it in writing so you know what you're paying.
TKBG is not a builder. The builder you choose builds your home under its own contract. If you want to understand our role with builders in more detail, see our page on being a builder broker in Melbourne.
Compare
The difference is who they work for and what they can show you.
| Option | Who they work for / what they show | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Estate sales office | Works for the land developer. Shows lots in that estate. | You see one estate. Ask about titling dates, design guidelines and developer approval. |
| Builder's display home | Works for that builder. Shows that builder's designs. | Displays can include upgrades. Ask which items are standard and which cost extra. |
| Buyer's agent | Works for you as the buyer, on terms you agree with them. | Ask whether they cover new house-and-land packages and how their fee works. |
| House-and-land broker (TKBG) | Paid by the builder. Compares packages from over 35 builders across estates. | Ask any broker how they are paid and which builders they compare. |
For a closer look at two of these, read builder broker vs buyer's agent.
Turnkey
Fixed price means the building contract sets the price for the scope written into it. What that scope covers varies by builder, so ask which site costs and connections are fixed and which are allowances or provisional sums. A provisional sum is an allowance that can change once the work is done.
Site costs depend on your land. They can include the soil test, contour survey, fall across the block, retaining walls and rock. Our guide to site costs for house and land in Victoria explains each one.
Full turnkey means the home is finished and ready to move into. It usually covers items like flooring, window coverings, driveway, landscaping and fencing. What is included can vary between builders, so always ask for the inclusions list in writing. See what turnkey includes in Victoria.
Quick checklist:
Payment
We're paid by the builder from a share of its margin, so using us costs you nothing extra.
The builder sets its price and pays us out of what it earns on the build. You do not pay us a separate fee. You sign the land contract directly with the land seller. You sign the building contract directly with the builder. We are not a party to either contract.
You can read more about how builder brokers get paid.
Guide
Victoria
We cover all of Victoria. Our area guides so far focus on Melbourne's south-east, with guides for the west and Geelong. You can also read our overview of Melbourne growth corridors.
| Corridor | Area guides |
|---|---|
| South-east | Berwick, Officer, Pakenham, Pakenham East, Cranbourne, Clyde, Clyde North, Botanic Ridge |
| West | Tarneit |
| Regional | Geelong |
If you already own a block, we also help with knockdown-rebuild.
Building somewhere else in Victoria? Call us on 1300 008 524.
Why TKBG
Questions
No. We're paid by the builder from a share of its margin, so using us costs you nothing extra. You don't pay us a fee for the comparison, the shortlist or the help checking the price. If you want to see how this works across the industry, read how builder brokers get paid. Always ask any broker to explain how they are paid.
You do. You sign the land contract with the land seller and the building contract with the builder you choose. TKBG is not a builder or a land seller, and we don't sign either contract. The builder builds under its own contract. We help you compare packages and check the price in writing before you sign. We suggest a lawyer or conveyancer reviews both contracts.
Titled land has a registered title, so it can usually settle and the build can be scheduled. Untitled land is sold before the title is registered. Settlement and the start of your build depend on when titles come through, which can affect your finance and plans. Ask the land seller for the expected titling date in writing. Our guide to titled vs untitled land explains more.
Yes. The basics are the same for both: a fixed price, clear inclusions and contracts you understand. Your priorities may differ, such as budget, location or rental appeal. Speak with your lender and an independent adviser about grants, finance and tax. See our guides for first home buyers and investors.
Yes. If you already own a block, we can help with a knockdown-rebuild. We compare builders and help you check site costs and inclusions in writing. Demolition, permits and services can add steps and costs. Ask each builder what is in their price and what is not, and get it in writing before you sign.
Yes. We cover all of Victoria, including Geelong and regional Victoria. Most of our area guides so far cover Melbourne's south-east, and we also have guides for Tarneit in the west and for Geelong. The way we compare packages and check the price is the same wherever you build.
Bring your budget, the areas you like, and a rough list of must-haves, such as bedrooms, a study or a bigger yard. If you have lender pre-approval, bring that too. If not, we suggest talking to a lender early. Our Berwick office is open by appointment, so book first or call 1300 008 524.