Simonds Homes Review 2026

Overview

Display homes

• Arise Estate: 46 & 48 Grand Street, Rochedale QLD 4123
• Aura Estate: 49 & 51 Leslie Crescent , Baringa QLD 4551
• Carvers Reach Estate: 1 & 3 Cypress Street, Park Ridge QLD 4125
• Covella Estate: 12 & 14 Acacia Loop, Greenbank QLD 4124
• Foreshore Estate: 53 & 55 Oakey Creek Road, Coomera QLD 4209
• Ridgeview Estate: 31 & 33 Ridge Parade, Narangba QLD 4504
• Springfield Rise Estate: 1, 3 & 5 Houston Street, Spring Mountain QLD 4124
• The Surrounds Estate: 8 & 10 Clover Way, Helensvale QLD 4212
• Yarrabilba Estate: 41 Expedition Road, Yarrabilba QLD 4207

Simonds Homes Review and Commentary

As with most builders, Simonds Homes reviews are a fairly mixed bag. There are plenty of glowing reviews and recommendations online; however, Simonds has a significant number of low ratings and negative comments. For instance, Product Review shows 397 1-star ratings at the time of writing, which constitutes approximately 13% of Simonds’ total score. Let’s take a look at what clients have to say.

The good

First up, we see that Simonds has a large number of clients who have been impressed throughout the whole process. One client mentions that she had great communication with her team in Victoria and encountered no hidden fees, which is great to hear.

Another praised the design options and clear pricing options. In South Australia, an experienced client states they prefer Simonds to other builders:

Here are some customer photos, showcasing their new Simonds builds:

The bad

Many of the 1-star reviews mention poor customer service after the completion of the build. Though Simonds claim to have a "full-time Maintenance Customer Relationship Coordinator," numerous reviews indicate a lack of ongoing communication or follow-up:

In addition, there are a considerable number of comments regarding the quality of tradespeople and services contracted by Simonds. There seems to have been issues with external brickwork, blocked drainage and plumbing, inconsistent quality of paint and plastering, missing or faulty fixtures, among others. Sadly, one customer in Victoria wrote that “just the thought of [their] tradesmen brings me to tears.”

Although some of these issues could be referred to the manufacturer, at the end of the day they were not installed correctly… Simonds chose these brands/installers which is a reflection on themselves.

Review on Product Review

Unfortunately, small defects are a common experience when dealing with big builders. As one of the top construction companies in Australia, Simonds have such a large volume of clients that it is almost inevitable for standards to slip in some projects. Even though it is common, it does not mean that defects or cosmetic issues should be accepted. Protect your investment and insist on a quality finish with Buildi in your corner.

A Simonds client in South Australia snapped a photo of dangerous safety practices by a seemingly inexperienced tradesman. We’ve included this below, along with some customer examples of poor workmanship:

The Ugly

One or two clients have voiced a lack of due diligence on the part of Simonds Homes. According to this customer in Baulkham Hills, there was a change of plans during construction for his home’s porch design. Subsequently, the proposal had to be reapproved by the local council.

In another Simonds Homes review, a man expressed his frustration with a home sitting unfinished for over three years! After enquiring with the council, the man claims Simonds’ private building certifier made an error resulting in wrongful placement of the build. The only solution was to knock it down and start again. Problems like these can cause significant delays, leading to higher costs (such as extended leases and additional rental payments) and increased stress.

In Shannon Draper’s case, Simonds builders excavated his site and laid a slab far too low. Rather than honouring Mr Draper’s request to halt construction on his home, they instead went ahead and erected the frame. It has been reported that Simonds also changed the drainage plans without consulting their client first. As a retired carpenter, Mr Draper commented to the media:

“I’m not a normal client – I know what I’m doing. And what I saw was Simonds simply choosing to ignore me. These big builders, they just don’t care because they know you can’t fight back.’’

Shannon Draper, Builder’s Collective of Australia

Mr Draper was fortunate and knowledgeable enough to win his case in court and hold his builder accountable. This is not always the case for every client, especially if you have never built a home before. Combat the confusion and ensure your home is to plan. Buildi has your back.

Tips

Tip 1: Dealing with design

Several customers mentioned a rushed experience in the Simonds design gallery. This is a crucial step to get right if you want to avoid disappointment later on. Arrange to view the gallery ahead of time, either in person or online via the 360 degree tour.

Check out their style suggestions and be prepared to ask for any fixtures, fittings or finishes that have been discontinued. It's also a good idea to ask about pricing for features you really like, so that you aren't surprised by costs down the line.

Tip 2: Know your timeline and your team

While this is not a unique aspect to any one builder, it is important to have a good relationship with your Salesperson, Customer Relationship Coordinator (CRC) and Site Manager. When looking through Simonds Homes reviews, we've noticed that many of the moderate to high ratings mentioned excellent communication with their team, who notified the owners of any delays and ensured timely handling of any issues. Insist on changing your contacts if they are not suited to your requirements or you feel that they are unhelpful.

Be aware of your estimated dates for completion stages, too. Ask questions if something is delayed or taking too long; if you have a good site manager, they will be able to intervene and ensure your project runs smoothly.

Tip 3: Post-construction rights and responsibilities

Your building journey does not necessarily end once construction is finished. Close to your move-in date, you will have a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) with a Construction Supervisor. They will take you through anything you might need to know about taking care of your home. Make sure you clarify anything you are unsure about (especially if something does not look right), and ask plenty of questions.

You will be placed in the SimCare program once handover is complete. This includes a three-month warranty period on your home, after which you can fill out a Post Construction Warranty form to fix any defects. Be sure to keep track of any defects covered under your warranty period, no matter how small. You are also covered under a seven-year structural guarantee, which is important to keep in mind as well.

Simonds Home designs

This builder offers several design ranges, which we will explore below. It may be useful to note that on one section of their website, Simonds describes three types of designs: "Emerge", "Aspirations", "Elevate", "Inspirations", "Elite", "Masterpiece" and "Townhomes".

If you browse the home designs online, the options available to you may vary depending on your location. We have taken our screenshots (below) from searches in Queensland.

Simonds Homes Range

This is snapshot of the QLD home designs. The Simonds Homes' inclusions can be viewed here.

Emerge by Simonds

This range is a collection of entry-level home designs created for first-home buyers and those looking for a more affordable option when building a new home. The Emerge range is here.

Aspirations by Simonds

The Aspirations range includes a selection of standard inclusions at no additional cost. These may include fixtures and fittings, kitchen appliances, and energy-efficient features that support everyday living from the start of the build. Aspirations inclusions are here.

Elevate Range

The range generally includes modern layouts, spacious living areas, and upgraded kitchen and interior features, such as larger appliances, stone benchtops, and additional cabinetry options depending on the design. Homes in this range are designed to balance style, space, and affordability while providing more features than entry-level options. Click here for the inclusions.

Inspirations Range by Dennis Family Homes

Inspirations generally delivers more space and higher‑level inclusions compared with the more budget‑focused Emerge and Aspirations ranges, and often more than the Elevate range depending on the specific design. Click here for the inclusions.

Elite Range

The Elite range is for those wanting a refined, expressive home. With spacious layouts, striking facades, and greater customisation, it lets you create a stylish, enduring Knockdown Rebuild that reflects your lifestyle and taste. Click here for the inclusions.

Masterpiece Range

The Masterpiece range by Simonds Homes sits above the other collections, offering premium, architect‑inspired designs with high‑end finishes and extensive customisation options. Click here to see more!

Townhomes Range

The Townhomes range by Simonds Homes in Victoria offers modern, low‑maintenance townhouse-style homes with smart layouts and contemporary finishes, ideal for first-home buyers, investors, or downsizers.

A closer look at Olivine 23

The Olivine 23 from Simonds’ Emerge range is a stylish single-storey home perfect for modern families. Designed for 12.5m+ blocks, it features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a 2-car garage.

A spacious open-plan living and dining area flows to a generous alfresco, ideal for entertaining, while a home office and movie room add versatility. Elegant and practical, the Olivine 23 offers a great balance of family living and personal space.

This layout is a great example of Simonds' approach to design overall. The alfresco doors bring the outside in, encouraging outdoor dining and entertainment.

An array of facades are available for this home, with designs ranging from lowset brick to stylish render, below is the Kurandra and Millin facade.

A closer look at Headland 43

If you’re looking for a home that perfectly combines space, style, and practicality, the Headland 43 is a standout. This double-storey design, suited to 14m+ blocks, offers 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and 3 living areas, making it ideal for modern family living. At its heart is a spacious open-plan living area designed for everyday family life, while a private office and downstairs guest suite add functionality and convenience.

Upstairs, a secluded wing houses the secondary bedrooms, while the luxurious master suite features double walk-in robes and a lavish ensuite, creating a private retreat that balances comfort and elegance.

The Headland is another example of Simonds' focus on integrating outdoor living with inside spaces. The outdoor area seamlessly extends the indoors, creating a natural flow between living and alfresco spaces.

Like other floor plans, the Headland offers a great range of facade options for that personal touch. The Stradbroke and Gilberton pictured below.

Reputation

Ultimately, any Simonds Homes review must take into account that the business has been operating for over 75 years. As one of the top 8 builders in the country, we know there is a significant number of customers who are happy with their build and prefer Simonds as a builder. Of course, the larger the builder, the higher the chance of something going wrong. Because of this, you are likely to see more negative reviews than with a smaller builder.

Having said that, the lower ratings are consistent in their mention of poor workmanship, and this has been the case for several years (judging by the reviews). We speculate that hiring cheaper subcontractors is an attempt to cut costs. In addition, there are quite a number of repeated complaints regarding follow-up communication and unresolved defects.

We think our Simonds Homes review can be summed up with this client's comment:

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