New Zealand arguably has a duopoly on home building materials, with Fletcher Building and Carter Hold Harvey dominating. This can affect pricing as they control both distribution and retail.
Buying a new-build house can be an exciting time, but you should know what to look out for. Here are some tips to help make your build a success.
Know Your Options
When you build a new home, you have a lot of options. You can choose from various house designs, and you can even personalise the interior and exterior. Knowing your options is essential to make the best decision for yourself and your family. For more information about the new home builders tips Auckland, check this out.
You should also work with a mortgage adviser for professional advice on your new home. They can help you find out about any grants available, including the Kainga Ora First Home Partner scheme, and help you determine how much your new home will cost. They can also help you compare prices for new and existing homes and give you a sense of the market in your chosen area.
Contacting your builder regularly is essential to ensure everything is on track. You should also be honest about your needs and limitations so that they can guide you to the right solutions. Maintaining clear communication is vital; you should always work with a contingency plan for unexpected costs. If you’re sending money overseas to pay for your new home, check out Wise to save on fees and exchange rates.
Know What You Want
New home builders in Auckland can provide many options for building your dream house. However, you will need to know what you want so that you can find the best builder for your needs. This may include choosing a home with the latest amenities or one customizable to fit your family’s needs. You may also hire a contractor that will follow local building codes and get you approved for permits quickly.
To determine what you want from your new house, it is essential to research builders and their reputations. You can do this by asking friends for recommendations or looking at their previous homes. You should also look at what materials they use and how much they cost. Finding a builder that can accommodate your needs while staying within your budget is essential. For more information about the new home builders tips Auckland, check this out.
It is also essential to consider the orientation of your new house in its section. The sun’s position can make a big difference in how warm your home will be, so choosing a plan that makes the most of its positioning is essential. This may involve orienting living areas to the north and reducing the size of windows on the southern side to avoid overheating in summer. For this reason, it is best to work with a builder with experience in this construction type.
Know Your Budget
With building costs rising and a shortage of existing homes on the market, more New Zealanders are choosing to build their own. This is an excellent option as it allows you to create a home uniquely tailored to your lifestyle, needs and taste. However, it can also be a significant financial commitment. The key is to have a clear plan and be realistic about what you can afford to spend.
One of the most common mistakes people make is overspending on things they think are necessary but not essential for living in a new home. These include high-end appliances, fancy taps and flooring. It’s far better to stick with practical options to save money in the long run.
Another way to cut costs is to reduce the size of your home. This can help to save on engineering and material costs. Other cost-saving measures include using cheaper cladding, window joinery, different flooring and fewer bathroom/kitchen tiles.
It’s also crucial to have a contingency fund for unexpected expenses. Experienced building professionals recommend adding 10 to 20% to your budget. This is particularly important if you’re building a one-off design or a section with covenants or council consent requirements restricting what can be made. You’ll also need to factor in any increases in mortgage rates. These could add up to thousands of dollars extra over the life of your loan.
Know Your Land
You can buy new land and build your house in Auckland in a few different ways. These include buying a house and land package from the developer, purchasing an existing home, and moving it to another site, or buying a section of land and subdividing it. Whatever you choose, you need to do your homework and understand the area you’re building in.
An excellent place to start is by visiting open homes with your builder. This will give you a better idea of what’s on offer and the types of houses you can get within the different suburbs. You can also look at local council documents that will tell you what’s planned for the area in the foreseeable future. For more information about the new home builders tips Auckland, check this out.