Builder fit-out checklist for new builds across Melbourne's west

Window furnishings on a new build are usually the last trade in, which means they have the least slack in the schedule. A few sequencing decisions made at frame stage save weeks at handover. The four that matter most: order shutters at frame stage (six to eight weeks lead time), confirm ceiling-recessed curtain tracks before plaster goes up, schedule blinds and tint on the same install day, and ensure the windows are clean before tint goes on. A standard four-bedroom new build can be fully fitted out in one to two days if the sequence is right.

Key takeaways

• Order shutters at frame stage, not handover. Six to eight weeks manufacturing lead time.
• Plan ceiling-recessed curtain tracks before plaster. Cannot be added cleanly later.
• Schedule blinds and tint with the same installer on the same install day.
• Clean glass before tint install. Dust on fresh sheers is hard to remove.
• Roller blinds, day-night blinds and most rollers run three to four weeks lead time.
• Plantation shutters run six to eight weeks for imported timber, two to three weeks for locally-made PVC.

Frame stage checklist

The earliest decisions are the most consequential. Once frames are up and dimensions are locked:

• Confirm whether plantation shutters are in scope. If yes, order now. The lead time is the binding constraint.
• Confirm whether curtains need ceiling-recessed tracks. The recess has to be specified to the plasterer.
• Confirm motorisation for any blinds. Power outlets need to be installed near each motorised window before plaster.
• Confirm whether outdoor blinds are part of the scope and verify the structure can take the brackets.
• Get a measure visit booked for blinds and tint. Quote can be issued and approved before lock-up.

For the broader builder relationship conversation, see why builders in Melbourne's west use one tradesman.

Lock-up stage checklist

At lock-up the windows are in and the glass type is confirmed. This is the right stage to:

• Verify glass type for tint compatibility. Toughened, double-glazed, low-e and standard float glass all take different films. The detail is in the honest cost of window tinting.
• Confirm decorative film placement on bathrooms, ensuites and laundries.
• Verify safety film requirements against AS/NZS 2208 for any code-mandated panels.
• Lock in the install date against the handover schedule.

Plaster and paint stage

The quietest stage from a window furnishings perspective, but two details matter:

• Curtain track recesses installed before plaster sets. The plasterer needs the bracket positions to dress the recess correctly.
• Blind bracket fixings can be pre-marked or pre-installed where the timing allows. Saves time on install day.

Carpet and finishes stage

This is when things get tight. Order of operations:

• Carpet goes in.
• Kitchen, joinery, bathrooms finish.
• Final clean of the windows happens. Tint will not bond to dirty glass; the cleaner the better.
• Tint installs onto clean glass.
• Blind brackets fix to the wall or reveal.
• Blinds and curtains hang.

Schedule the tint and blind install on the same day where possible. The same installer can do both, and the access requirements overlap. For one-installer logistics, see why builders use one tradesman.

Pre-handover walkthrough

The day before client handover:

• Confirm every blind operates correctly. Each chain pulls smoothly, each motor runs both directions.
• Confirm fabric matches the spec on the order. Wrong fabric in the right room is a common error if the install crew is rushed.
• Confirm tint is bubble-free and clean. Any final water marks behind the film clear within a few days as the adhesive cures.
• Walk the client through operation of motorised blinds and the warranty paperwork.

Lead times to plan around

The rough lead times that drive the sequence:

• Roller blinds (single or day-night): three to four weeks for stocked fabrics.
• Honeycomb blinds: three to four weeks. Detail in honeycomb blinds and Melbourne winter.
• Roman blinds: three to four weeks.
• Curtains (sheer or blockout, S-fold or pinch pleat): three to four weeks.
• Plantation shutters (imported timber): six to eight weeks.
• Plantation shutters (locally-made PVC): two to three weeks.
• Outdoor zip-track blinds: four to six weeks.
• Window film: one to two weeks for stocked products; three to four weeks for specialist or custom-cut films.

For builders running multiple sites, the longest lead time on the project is the one that controls the schedule. Plantation shutters are almost always that item.

Common errors and how to avoid them

The four mistakes we see repeatedly on builder fit-outs:

• Ordering shutters at handover and apologising to the client for a two-month delay.
• Forgetting ceiling-recessed curtain tracks until plaster is finished. Adding wall-mounted rods later looks like a retrofit.
• Scheduling tint after carpet but before final clean. Dust on the glass means the tint goes on imperfect.
• Splitting blinds and tint across two suppliers and letting one slip while the other is ready.

The checklist above is what we share with first-time builder partners. Once the relationship is established, the sequence becomes routine.

Standard spec for a typical west-Melbourne new build

For a four-bedroom volume build in Tarneit, Truganina, Williams Landing, Point Cook or similar:

• Master bedroom: blockout roller, side channels optional in premium tier.
• Other bedrooms: blockout rollers.
• Main living: day-night roller, optionally with sheer in premium tier.
• Dining and kitchen: sunscreen rollers in coordinated fabric.
• Bathrooms, ensuites, laundries: frosted decorative film.
• West-facing main living glass: bronze solar film.
• Outdoor alfresco: zip-track outdoor blinds, optional but increasingly standard.

For the rental investor variant of this spec, see blinds and tint upgrades that lift rental yield.

Common questions

What if the builder runs ahead of schedule?

We can usually expedite installs by a week or two on stocked products. Plantation shutters and outdoor blinds are harder to expedite because the manufacturing lead time is the constraint, not our capacity.

What if the builder runs behind schedule?

We hold the install date as long as the manufactured products are ready. The shutters and blinds keep until they are needed. We do not rebill for re-scheduled installs within reason.

Can we change the spec mid-project?

Yes, before manufacturing starts. After the order is placed and fabric is cut, changes incur the full cost of the original order plus the new order. The window for changes is typically the first week after deposit.

Do you do display home installs?

Yes. Display home work is some of our cleanest because the spec is locked early and the install timing is flexible.

How do you handle clients who want to see samples before deciding?

We leave sample books with the builder for client selection meetings. Specific samples can be brought to a measure visit for the client to hold against the room.

For builder partnerships across Melbourne's west, call Dany on 0468 032 236 or see why builders use one tradesman for full fit-outs.