Orange could be poised to benefit most from the government's new HomeBuilder scheme according to builders in the region.
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The Federal government announced the new program on Thursday morning, with $25,000 grants for renovations and new homes on offer.
The new home grant will be available to those looking to live in a new home as their principal place of residence, valued up to $750,000 including land, while renovations to the tune of $150,000 to $750,000 can receive a funding boost provided the home is valued at less then $1.5 million before the upgrade.
HomeBuilder can't be for used for additions to the property which are unconnected to the principal place of residence such as swimming pools, tennis courts, outdoor spas and saunas, sheds or garages.
The program will not apply to investment properties or owner-builders.
Master Builders Association of NSW Central West president Mick Banks said he thought the program would suit Orange to a tee.
"I think it'll be good. The criteria will fit a big percentage of what goes on in Orange," he said.
He said the median house price in Orange meant most new homes built in the city would qualify, which he expected to provide a boost to the construction industry ahead of a projected slowdown in a few months.
The program is only eligible to projects started between June 4 and December 31, and Mr Banks said it could prove a life raft to the industry.
"The general consensus is tradies are pretty busy at the moment with a lot of pipeline projects which were submitted or approved before the virus hit, and we were expecting more of a slowdown to start in September or October," Mr Banks said.
"The building industry also has the biggest percentage of small to medium businesses in the country, even if it's one bloke with his own plumbing business.
"You'd hate to see him or them go under."
He thinks both renovations and new homes will spike in the second half of the year as the program encourages people to jump onboard, with the grant applying to all new homes in the price range, not just first-home buyers.
However, he said the impact would be felt outside the construction industry.
"Key to this is if the tradies are busy they'll be out and about buying smoko, going out for tea and using the money. They're not going to put off luxury items if they're busy and work's good, so there'll be a flow-on effect," Mr Banks said.
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