A bit of background around the 7 Stars.

You may have heard us mention that we are custom home builders…but what does that mean exactly? At Shelton Homes, we take our job very seriously, and our job is to help make your dream home a reality. Custom home builders take the time to discuss and figure out what it is you may need and want to create. We don’t pump out cookie cutter home designs that look identical, we prefer to work closely with you during the design process and give you the freedom to add and change design aspects to suit your own aesthetic and lifestyle…butlers pantry anyone?

Building a new home is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, so it's only natural to wonder how today's building industry could affect your project. From labour shortages and rising material costs to changing regulations, there's plenty of information circulating. At Shelton Homes, we believe in being upfront with our clients, so we'd like to explain what's happening in the industry—and more importantly, why you can build with confidence. The Building Industry Continues to Evolve Over the past few years, Australia's residential construction industry has experienced significant change. While some of the challenges have eased, others continue to shape the way homes are built. Today, builders are navigating: Labour shortages across key trades, particularly bricklayers. Rising material and freight costs. Fuel levy increases impacting transportation and deliveries. New government energy efficiency standards for all new homes. Ongoing changes to building regulations and compliance requirements. These factors have increased both the cost and complexity of building a home. Unfortunately, many homeowners have experienced extended construction timeframes as a result. Experience Makes the Difference At Shelton Homes, we've been building quality homes across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs for more than 30 years. During that time, we've learnt that strong relationships, careful planning and clear communication are what keep projects running smoothly. As a family-owned and operated business, we've built long-standing partnerships with trusted local trades and suppliers who share our commitment to quality workmanship and reliability. Rather than taking on more work than we can comfortably manage, we focus on delivering every home to the high standard our clients expect. Why Some Builds Experience Delays You may have noticed homes sitting idle for weeks while waiting for the next stage of construction. One of the biggest challenges across the industry has been the availability of skilled trades, particularly bricklayers. When trades are delayed, it can create a domino effect that pushes back the entire construction schedule. At Shelton Homes, our established trade network and proactive scheduling help minimise these delays wherever possible. While no builder can control every circumstance, careful planning and strong industry relationships allow us to keep your build progressing efficiently. Rising Costs Across the Industry There's no avoiding the fact that construction costs have increased over recent years. New energy efficiency requirements, higher material prices, increased freight costs and labour shortages have all contributed to higher building costs across Australia. While these increases affect every builder, our focus has always been on delivering genuine value. We work closely with our suppliers, carefully manage every project and price our homes fairly, without compromising on the quality our clients expect. Why Building Sooner Can Make Sense Many people ask whether they should wait for prices to come down. The reality is that construction costs have continued to rise over time due to ongoing changes in regulations, labour availability and material pricing. Waiting often means paying more in the future rather than less. If you're financially ready and you've found a builder you trust, there's rarely a better time to start your building journey. Why Families Choose Shelton Homes We're proud of the reputation we've built throughout Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. Many of our clients tell us they first noticed Shelton Homes by watching one of our homes being built. They saw consistent progress, organised building sites and quality workmanship—often while other nearby builds experienced lengthy delays. That reputation has been built over decades through honest communication, experienced project management and a genuine commitment to every client. When you build with Shelton Homes, you're choosing: A local family-owned builder with over 30 years of experience. Trusted trades and long-standing supplier relationships. High-quality workmanship from start to finish. Clear communication throughout every stage of your build. A team committed to delivering an exceptional building experience. Build With Confidence While the building industry continues to evolve, our commitment remains the same: to build beautiful, high-quality homes while making the experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.  If you're thinking about building your dream home, we'd love to show you why so many families choose Shelton Homes. Ready to get started? Explore our home designs or contact our team to discuss your custom home ideas. We'd love to help bring your vision to life.

It all begins at the crack of dawn, a day in the life of a chippy.

Standard cookie cutter home design? No thanks.

Looking to build?

Perhaps you have been researching Queenslander Home builders, or looking at new home design ideas before making contact with a builder?

When it comes to finding the perfect builder for your dream Queenslander home, aside from evaluating builders on their experience and portfolios, it is also important to understand the ‘home inclusions’ each builder offers.

Your Prestart Checklist: Everything to Do Before Building Your New Home Building your dream home is exciting—but before construction begins, there's a little preparation that helps ensure your project gets off to the best possible start. At Shelton Homes, we've guided families through the building journey for over 30 years, and one thing we've learnt is that a smooth build starts with good planning. Whether you're building your forever home or your first home, here's what you should have organised before construction begins. 1. Choose a Builder You Can Trust The builder you choose will influence every part of your experience. Look for a builder with a proven reputation, quality workmanship, transparent communication and strong client reviews. Building a home is a partnership, so it's important to choose someone you feel comfortable working with from start to finish. 2. Understand Your Building Contract Before signing, take the time to understand exactly what's included in your contract. Review the inclusions, payment schedule, estimated build timeframe and warranties. If there's anything you're unsure about, ask questions—it's important you feel confident before moving forward. 3. Have Your Finance Ready If you're borrowing to build, your lender will need to confirm your loan approval before construction can begin. Once everything is ready to proceed, Shelton Homes requires a 5% deposit to secure your project and begin the next stages of the process. Having your finance organised early helps avoid unnecessary delays later. 4. Make Sure Your Land Is Ready Before building, you'll need documentation relating to your block of land, including your Certificate of Title. It's also important to understand any easements, zoning requirements or restrictions that may affect your home's design or location on the block. 5. Complete Site Investigations Every block of land is different. Site surveys, contour surveys and soil testing provide valuable information about your land's slope, boundaries and ground conditions. These reports allow your home to be designed with the correct foundations while ensuring compliance with local building requirements. 6. Finalise Your Home Design This is where your vision starts becoming reality. Together, we'll refine your floor plan, exterior style and the features that matter most to your family. Every decision is made with your lifestyle, budget and block of land in mind. 7. Complete Your Selections Choosing your colours, cabinetry, flooring, fixtures and finishes is one of the most exciting parts of the building journey. These selections help personalise your home while ensuring every detail reflects your style. 8. Prepare the Construction Documentation Behind every beautiful home is a detailed set of plans. Construction drawings and engineering plans ensure your home is structurally sound, meets Australian Standards and provides clear direction for every trade involved in the build. 9. Meet Energy Efficiency Requirements All new homes must meet current energy efficiency standards. From insulation and glazing to ventilation and orientation, these requirements are designed to create homes that are more comfortable to live in while reducing long-term energy costs. 10. Obtain Building Approval Before construction begins, your plans must receive the necessary building approvals. Our team manages this process for you, helping ensure your project complies with all relevant building regulations and local authority requirements. 11. Home Warranty Insurance For every new home built in Queensland, Home Warranty Insurance provides important protection for homeowners. It's another step that gives you peace of mind throughout your building journey. 12. Get Ready to Build Once everything has been approved, your finance is confirmed and your documentation is complete, construction is ready to begin. From this point, your dedicated Project Manager will oversee every stage of the build, keeping you informed along the way and ensuring your new home is built to the quality Shelton Homes is known for. Start Your Building Journey with Confidence A little preparation goes a long way towards creating a smooth, enjoyable building experience. To make the process even easier, we've created a free Prestart Checklist that walks you through each stage in more detail, so you'll know exactly what to expect before construction begins.  Whether you're just starting to explore your options or you're ready to build, the Shelton Homes team is here to guide you every step of the way.

If you’re looking to build a new Queenslander home, one area you may need some help with is knowing how much you could, or should be spending. For most people, there are a lot of budgeting decisions that need to be made, and for everyone a lot of paperwork and moving parts to digest.

There's something special about building a home on acreage. Whether it's the rolling hills, wide-open paddocks or uninterrupted sunsets, rural living offers a lifestyle that's hard to beat. At Shelton Homes, we've been designing and building homes across Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and surrounding regions for more than 30 years. While we're known for our beautiful Modern Queenslanders, every home we build is designed around one thing—how you want to live. If you're planning to build on rural land, here are some of the most important things to consider before choosing your home design. 1. Design for Your Lifestyle, Not Just Today It's easy to focus on what you need right now, but your home should also suit the years ahead. Think about how your family may grow, whether you'll need a dedicated home office, space for guests, or extra storage for hobbies and equipment. Ask yourself: How many bedrooms and bathrooms will we need? Do we want multiple living areas? Will we work from home? Do we need a large pantry, mudroom or extra storage? Will outdoor entertaining be a big part of our lifestyle? Choosing the right floor plan from the beginning means your home will continue to work for your family well into the future. 2. Work With Your Land One of the biggest advantages of building on acreage is having the freedom to position your home exactly where it belongs. The best location isn't always the one with the best view. Consider: Natural contours of the land. Prevailing breezes. Sun orientation. Privacy from neighbouring properties. Future sheds, pools or additional buildings. Access for vehicles and machinery. A well-positioned home is often more comfortable, more energy efficient and more enjoyable to live in. 3. Make the Most of Indoor-Outdoor Living One of the hallmarks of a Modern Queenslander is the seamless connection between inside and out. Wide verandahs, generous alfresco areas, large windows and open-plan living allow you to enjoy your surroundings every day while making the most of Queensland's climate. Whether you're overlooking paddocks, bushland or mountain views, your home should frame the landscape—not compete with it. 4. Think Beyond the House When building on rural land, the home itself is only part of the picture. Consider practical elements such as: Driveway length and access. Water tanks and wastewater systems. Power connection. Internet availability. Location of sheds and outbuildings. Future landscaping. Planning these items early can help avoid unexpected costs later in the project. 5. Understand Your Site Every block of land is different. Site surveys, contour surveys and soil testing provide valuable information about your property's characteristics before construction begins. Understanding your site early helps ensure your home is designed for the conditions of your land while reducing the risk of unexpected challenges during construction. 6. Choose a Home That Stands the Test of Time Trends come and go, but thoughtful design never goes out of style. Today's Modern Queenslanders combine timeless architectural features with contemporary layouts and finishes, creating homes that feel just as comfortable on acreage as they do in town. High ceilings, natural light, open-plan living and generous outdoor spaces create homes that are beautiful, practical and built for the Queensland lifestyle. Build the Home That Fits Your Lifestyle Choosing the perfect rural home isn't about following trends—it's about creating a home that suits your land, your family and the way you want to live. Whether you're building on acreage, a hobby farm or a country block, the right design will enhance both your lifestyle and your investment for years to come. At Shelton Homes, we work closely with every client to design homes that complement their land while delivering the quality craftsmanship we're known for throughout Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. If you're ready to start planning your dream home, we'd love to help you bring your vision to life.

If you are looking for the ultimate family home, one that offers abundant space, is layered in charm, and provides the rock-solid foundations your family needs, then you will love the Bilby.

If you're craving privacy, peace and plenty of space to move around, then the Wattle 1.1, is the perfect Queenslander home for you.

For more than 30 years Shelton Homes have been building beautiful Queenslander homes in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs areas. During this time, we have seen the home building industry in Australia change, sadly not for the better.

Chances are if you live in Toowoomba or the Darling Downs area, you have seen the team from Shelton Homes around. Perhaps at the shops, the local footy field, that stunning new Queenslander home being built down the road.

When Europeans first settled in our sub-tropical environment, they needed a way to beat the Queensland heat and humidity. And with a spur of sunny inspiration and no doubt an ale or fresh pot of tea in hand, they designed what we have come to know as the famous Queenslander verandah.

You only need to drive down a street here in Toowoomba, and you will see a charming variety of Queenslander Homes, some beyond pristine, others well worn but still going strong raising generations of local families.