Can I Make Changes After Construction Has Started?
It happens more often than people expect. You see your home taking shape and decide a window would work better as a door, a room needs a different layout, or you would simply prefer another flooring or paint colour.
Some changes may be possible after construction starts, but not every change is practical—and timing matters. A change can affect materials already ordered, work on site, consent, the programme, and the final cost.
Why changes become harder once work is under way
Before a build starts, plans, selections, quotes, and approvals can be coordinated in one place. Once work begins, those decisions flow through suppliers, trades, designers, the site team, and sometimes council.
A late change may mean materials cannot be returned, a trade needs rescheduling, or completed work needs altering. Even a simple request can have a wider effect if it changes weatherproofing, structure, services, or consented plans.
Which changes are more likely to be straightforward?
Selection changes—such as paint, flooring, or a fixture—may be easier if the item has not been ordered or installed. They can still affect price, availability, and timing.
Layout or product changes—such as moving joinery, changing an opening, or altering services—need to be assessed against the consented design.
Major design changes—such as changing the footprint, structure, or cladding—are more likely to need revised information and a formal consent amendment. Your builder, designer, and council need to consider the actual proposal.
What happens if the building consent needs to change?
If you want to change consented plans, the proposed change needs to be notified to the local council. Some may be treated as a minor variation and recorded in writing. More significant changes may require a formal consent amendment before the affected work can proceed.
Do not ask a trade to make a change directly on site. An undocumented change can create problems at inspection and handover.
A sensible process for requesting a variation
Raise it immediately. Tell your nominated builder contact what you would like to change and why.
Ask if it is feasible. Check whether work is complete, materials are ordered, or the change affects other parts of the design.
Request the impact in writing. Ask for scope, cost or credit, timing, and any consent or design work required.
Wait for formal approval. A verbal conversation is not a variation agreement.
Keep your records. Save the approved variation, updated drawings, and correspondence.
How Today Homes approaches late changes
Today Homes aims to finalise choices before work starts so orders can be planned and the build can run efficiently. If you change your mind later, the team will consider whether the requested change is possible.
For your home, the answer will depend on the build stage, contract, consented design, and relevant suppliers and trades. Ask Today Homes to explain its current variation process before you need it.
Final thoughts: ask early and get the answer in writing
Changes are normal, but they become more consequential once construction is under way. If the change matters to how you will live in the home, raise it early and make sure the scope, cost, timing, and approval pathway are clear before anyone acts on it.