Building to Lock-Up Stage: An Alternative Way to Build a Timber Frame Home in Perth

For some clients, building to lock-up stage is the perfect balance between professional construction and personal involvement. It allows you to have the structural elements of your home completed by an experienced timber frame builder in Perth, while giving you flexibility over how and when the internal finishes are completed.

At Blue Strike Homes, we offer a build to lock-up option for our timber frame homes, and it’s becoming an increasingly popular pathway for clients who want more control, flexibility, or staged spending without compromising on build quality.

Here’s how it works, what’s included, and what to consider if you’re exploring this option.

What Does “Build to Lock-Up” Mean?

Building to lock-up means we complete the full structural shell of the home under our insurances and warranty until it is weather-tight and secure. At lock-up stage, the home is fully enclosed, with the frame, roof, external walls, windows and doors installed.

From this point, clients can either:

• take over the internal works themselves

• engage their own trades

• or discuss extending the scope with us if certain items make sense to include

  
  

This approach works particularly well with timber frame home building in Perth, as the structure goes up quickly and accurately, allowing the project to progress efficiently to lock-up.

How Long Does It Take to Build to Lock-Up?

One of the biggest advantages of timber frame construction is speed.

As a general guide:

• Single-storey timber frame homes can typically reach lock-up within approximately 10 weeks

• Double-storey homes take slightly longer due to additional structure, height, and access requirements

  
  

Once the slab is down, we can get on site within 2-3 days to start framing (depending on the slab finish - burnished slabs need time to cure). Lock up stage timeframes can vary depending on design complexity, site conditions, and weather, but timber framing allows for a much faster progression compared to traditional construction methods.

What We Include in Our Lock-Up Stage Builds

Our lock-up stage is comprehensive and designed to ensure the structural integrity and weatherproofing of the home is completed properly.

Our lock-up stage typically includes:

• Engineering, including full drawings and design

• Supply and installation of the concrete slab on ground

• Supply and installation of the timber frame and roof trusses

• Supply and installation of metal fascia, gutters and roofing

• Supply and installation of external cladding / brick veneer etc

• Supply and installation of uPVC double glazed windows

• Supply and installation of eaves and cladding to gables

• Supply and installation of the entry swing door

• Supply and installation of the internal garage swing door

  
  

At this point, the home is fully enclosed and protected from the elements, ready for the next stage.

Our lock up stage project in Mount Hunter, NSW

What’s Not Included at Lock-Up Stage

At lock-up, internal works are not yet completed. Items typically not included are:

• plasterboard and internal linings

• cabinetry and joinery

• electrical and plumbing

• painting

• flooring and internal finishes

  
  

That said, we always allow for flexibility being a custom home builder. If certain items make sense to include as part of the build, we’re always open to discussing this early so the scope is clear and coordinated properly.

Optional Rough-In Works

Another option available is to include plumbing and electrical rough-ins as part of the lock-up build.

If this is something you’d like to explore, it’s important to understand how it works.

While we can coordinate and include the rough-ins, those contractors would still need to return later to complete and certify their own work. They will not sign off on works finished by others.

This option can suit some clients, particularly where continuity of trades or early planning is important, but it’s something that needs to be considered carefully and discussed upfront.

A Note on Scaffolding and Painting for Double-Storey Homes

For double-storey builds, there’s one practical consideration worth thinking about early that we always say to our clients.

Because scaffolding is already required for the external works, we reccomend to have the external painting completed while the scaffold is still in place. This can help avoid the double cost of removing scaffolding and bringing it back later purely for painting.

It’s not a decision you need to make immediately, but it’s helpful to be aware of early, as it can lead to cost savings down the track with better planning.

Is Building to Lock-Up Right for You?

Building to lock-up can be a great option if you:

• want control over internal finishes

• plan to manage or stage internal works yourself

• want to reduce overall build costs

• prefer flexibility over timelines and trade selection

  
  

What matters most is that the structural elements are done properly, by a builder who understands timber frame construction and sequencing.

Final Thoughts

Building to lock-up stage is a smart, flexible way to approach timber frame home building in Perth, particularly when it’s done with clear scope, realistic timeframes, and the right builder involved from the start.

With timber framing, the structure goes up quickly, accurately, and efficiently, allowing you to reach lock-up in a matter of weeks rather than months. From there, you have options on how the rest of the home comes together.

If you’re considering a build to lock-up pathway and want to understand whether it suits your project, block, and budget, having an early conversation is the best place to start.