Your questions,
honestly answered.

The business name of Ninedots stems from the popular 'nine dots puzzle' which encourages people to think differently, unconventionally and 'outside the box' for a solution. We love the lessons to be learned from this puzzle as they resonate strongly with our business philosophies — we pride ourselves on providing a creative alternative to the traditional build process which allows for a more enjoyable new build experience.

Our definition — a build advocate is an individual who is an expert in the construction process, engaged to support and/or represent home buyers at varied stages throughout the new build process. We work on a similar philosophy to that of a mortgage broker — we give clients greater product knowledge to allow for more informed decisions.

There are many reasons to engage Ninedots, but at the core it would be because of our level of care and dedication to making the build process stress free and enjoyable. We treat each project as if it were our own and are known for going above and beyond 'industry standard' in applying knowledge and creative strategy for successful build and investment outcomes. Ninedots saves clients a considerable amount of time and money while helping to avoid common build mistakes.

The concept of a build advisor — and in particular our structure and accessibility — is quite new, one which Ninedots proudly pioneered and brought to market in 2015. Because of this, many people don't know our service exists. People are generally introduced to Ninedots by their mortgage broker, conveyancer, accountant or financial planner. Often people also assume engaging a project manager or build advisor would be expensive, however this is not the case with Ninedots — in fact you'll more often than not save money by engaging us!

We provide support across all phases of the building process to help simplify the journey and deliver an optimal build outcome. This includes building inspections, build discovery, subdivision support, land acquisition, builder quote review, builder contract review, builder selection, design support, project management, low fee / no fee project management, build consulting and investment support. View our full range of services.

Absolutely. Although we don't write loans ourselves, as qualified mortgage brokers we can clearly identify a client's needs and support them through the finance process with ease. We can connect you with banks and brokers who specialise in construction finance, who will ensure you're fitted perfectly to your mortgage product — allowing for the most adequate tax deductibility, risk protection and ease for future lending. We don't accept any referral fees from third parties, so you can be sure you're being referred for the right reasons!

We pride ourselves on finding solutions. If there's a way, we'll find it! If, in the rare instance, we can't assist in getting you an approval, we'll equip you with a plan to help get your finance ready as soon as possible.

Brave soul! No — just kidding. It's a long process, but a rewarding one. Yes, we can certainly assist. Give us a call to discuss your specific needs.

Yes, we can. We can step in at any stage during the design phase to add value to your construction. If engaged prior to completion of the plans, we can contribute ideas from a buildability perspective — focusing on how the design can be constructed while looking for opportunities for cost saving. If you have completed your drawings independently, we can tender your project out to builders we feel will be best suited based on your design, location and budget. Getting quotes on custom builds can be time consuming and exhausting, but our expansive knowledge of builders and our process gets things moving faster and attracts the best possible price.

Absolutely. We find a lot of our clients have an interest in sustainability but aren't quite sure where to start or what it looks like — what sustainable build options are available, how they impact on cost, and which builders are a good fit. We explore all elements that are important to our clients and fill in any knowledge gaps as required.

The Victorian Homebuyer Fund is a shared equity scheme, available only in Victoria. If you have at least a 5% deposit (or 3.5% if you're Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), the government can contribute up to 25% of a home's purchase price (35% for eligible Indigenous applicants) in exchange for an equivalent share in the property. This reduces your loan size, lowers repayments, and helps you avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance. You'll need to repay the government's share gradually — via refinancing, savings, or when selling.

Find out more here.

We certainly can. Although our clients get maximum value from engaging us from the outset, many engage our services after discovering the complexity of the construction process. If you have already engaged a builder, we can assist with full project management or site inspections at key stages. From a quality perspective, we ensure your build is in line with the Victorian Building Authority Standards and Tolerances and relevant Australian Standards. We have a unique approach to building inspections which keeps your build experience as stress free as possible.

We certainly can. Ninedots provides regular assistance to both interstate investors and families looking to relocate to Victoria, South Australia or New South Wales. Our service provides peace of mind, ensuring you have someone local monitoring your build progress.

We've purposefully structured our company to ensure support is accessible to everyone in need — including those building for the first time or building on a tight budget. With this in mind, our services start from as little as $220, but vary depending on the level of support required. We're happy to discuss your individual needs and talk through pricing, so give us a call.

Yes! Builders enjoy working with Ninedots and highly value our partnership and input. We operate quite differently to traditional building inspectors and work towards an optimal build outcome. When our clients are introduced to a particular builder, they're perfectly matched to that builder's product, more educated, and supported by us throughout the entire build process. We bridge the knowledge gap between builders and buyers and communicate on your behalf, which saves the builder significant time and ensures a quality build with complete client satisfaction. Good builders embrace our approach, as it provides an additional layer of quality control at no cost to them.

No! You may assume that having a third party involved in the transaction would be more costly — but surprisingly, this is not the case. Our clients save a considerable amount of money by engaging our services. Our industry knowledge ensures you're well matched to your selected builder, we pick up on common build mistakes, and our project management often results in shortened build times — all of which results in cost savings for clients. Take a look at our low fee / no fee project management option.

Our national office is based in Geelong, and we currently service home buyers and investors throughout Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. We also have a USA office, based in Meridian — you can view our USA website here.

Certainly not! This is one of the most common assumptions people make when considering our service. Although we provide guidance on good-fit builders, we are not affiliated with any particular builders. Each client engagement is unique and treated accordingly — our recommendations vary depending on your project scope, design guidelines, location and price point. We work with a very long list of different builders, from large volume builders to smaller, bespoke and custom builders. We're able to support you and add value to your construction regardless of your preferred builder.

We certainly can! Ninedots often has access to early land releases and 'off market' opportunities. Aside from negotiating the land price and conditions of sale on your behalf, we undertake considerable due diligence, ensuring the land is right for you and your intended build. In addition, we often receive referral fees, which we always pass on to you!

While we provide guidance across all aspects of residential construction, we find most builders employ experienced interior designers to help with colour selection, so we're often not required for input at this stage. For interstate buyers or home buyers who prefer to simplify the process, we can arrange colour boards and advise on current market trends for guidance. Alternatively, we can connect you with well-reputed interior designers for further support.

We certainly do! We offer support from the initial custom design right through to successful completion of a custom build. We can assist you in sourcing a well-suited architect or draftsman, or we can simply tender the project to suitable builders once you have plans completed. Getting quotes on custom builds can be time consuming and exhausting, but our process gets things moving faster and attracts the best possible price.

Passive house design focuses on maximum energy efficiency and comfort through insulation, airtight construction, double glazing, thermal bridge reduction, and mechanical ventilation. These principles reduce energy use, cut utility costs, and maintain a comfortable indoor environment year-round while lowering your carbon footprint.

Ninedots helps you avoid costly mistakes, negotiate better deals, and secure the right builder and design. With low fee or no fee project management, thorough contract checks, and a trusted partner network, we help ensure savings throughout your build journey. Plus, if you run into any issues, you have a very experienced team in your corner.

As of 2025, the First Home Owner Grant varies by state. In Victoria, eligible buyers can receive $10,000 for building or purchasing a new home valued up to $750,000 (VIC details). In New South Wales, the grant is $10,000 for new or substantially renovated homes, with caps of $600,000 for a purchase or up to $750,000 when combining vacant land and a building contract (NSW details). In South Australia, eligible buyers can receive $15,000 when buying or building a brand-new residential property (SA details).

We're with you every step of the way, and we can navigate any challenges together. This is available within our packages, or as a standalone Build Consultation service. Ninedots will guide and advise you through any challenges, and ensure you're informed of your options. For example — in Victoria, all domestic building work valued at $16,000 or more must be covered by Domestic Building Insurance (DBI). This insurance protects you if your builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent. It provides cover of up to $300,000, including structural defects for 6 years and non-structural defects for 2 years. Before paying a deposit or signing, always ensure your builder has provided a Certificate of Insurance.

For the most up-to-date details, see the Victorian Building Authority.

We certainly do. Whether it's for a build discovery session to help get someone started on their build journey, or for full project management, we can assist. Give us a call to discuss your needs.

The earlier the better. Even if you're just considering building, get in touch. We're here to support you through the entire process — the earlier we're engaged, the more educated your build decisions will be, and the more you'll save.

We offer a complimentary 20-minute phone consult to help you decide if Ninedots is a good fit for you. We'll happily answer any questions you have about our service, your situation, or the build process in general. Feel free to give us a call to book in your consultation, or simply get in touch online and one of our friendly team members will be in touch.