Far out, things must be a bit different in the ACT.
That's amazing. Here it's lay the slab, wait a few weeks. Put the frame up, wait a few weeks and so it goes on.....................
Is there an over supply of tradies in the ACT?
Add to that the uncertainty of how much the actual build will cost anyway.
If houses are so cheap out your way I know I would rather lock in certainty than risk the uncertainty.
Too many variables to really give you an answer RE.
Builder? Location? Type? all come into it a bit. If you're looking at a mainstream builder then you're looking at well over 12 months without anything getting in the way. Are you looking at transportable type? What's your local council...