Key Steps to Building Your Dream Home

The chance to design and build your own home in Nelson is an exciting opportunity. It's a chance to think about who you are, what you want, how you want to live, and to design and build a home that fits you perfectly.

Building your dream home or renovation can also have its challenges and frustrations. It can help to understand the essential steps that need to happen along the way.

Firstly, you’ll need to do some research. Think about what you can afford, what you want to achieve in a home and collect pictures of designs you like.

Choose a designer and Nelson builder. Working with a professional and experienced team who understand your dream will mean a more enjoyable experience as they guide you through this complex journey.

Develop the project brief and establish a budget. Using a spreadsheet system such as Excel is ideal for developing a budget as you can continuously update and modify it through the build.

Develop the concept design. Moving walls on paper is a lot easier than after they’re built so plan, plan, plan and don't settle until you’ve explored all avenues.

Your certified Nelson builder should advise you if you need to assess any environmental impacts in order to get a Resource Consent for your build. Otherwise it's time to prepare a developed design and the construction plans and submit them to the council for Building Consent.

Finally, the construction of your dream Nelson home can begin. Stay calm, keep your sense of humour and trust your team to address the issues. Soon you'll be enjoying your beautiful new home that you’ve worked hard to create. 

House Renovations on the Rise in New Zealand

New Zealanders love to renovate. The number of homes being renovated has jumped nearly 30 per cent in the past three years. There are plenty of good reasons for house renovations whether it's to stay or to sell and at the moment it is proving to be big business.

A growing number of house owners are choosing to renovate rather than sell, scared off by booming property prices. Whether it's a big new extension, a contemporary kitchen and bathroom, or just adding some French doors and a deck for that all important indoor outdoor flow, we are signing up to transform our homes. Other popular renovation choices include adding a garage and extra bedroom.

If you like the location you're in but need more space or just want to modernise your home and make it more comfortable, investing in your existing property makes sense. If there's nothing available in your area that meets your needs, or you just enjoy living there, the costs of a house renovation can be the best option.

Renovations are also a way to increase your profits when it comes to selling. In this situation,  your home renovations become more of a business decision and home owners need to do their research and be careful not to overcapitalise.

Many Kiwis have heard renovation horror stories of when everything takes longer than it should and the costs spiral out of control. That's why homeowners who use a professional builder like Nelson based You Build appreciate the value in a team who offer a complete service and keep everything to budget.

As much as we love our renovations in New Zealand, they're not always straight forward, so whether you're renovating to stay or with selling in mind, it's well worth finding a builder you trust who will support you through your renovation project from start to finish. 

Things to Consider When Choosing a House Builder

House building is a big investment. Carrying out building work also has health and safety consequences and can be stressful, disruptive and costly if amateurs make mistakes. So it is important to find a good builder, experienced in the work you require and offering clear, competitive rates.

You need a builder you can trust to produce a top standard of work. Take time to find the best house builder for you.

If possible, start by getting a referral from family or friends. Find out how long the builder has been trading and what skills and experience they have in the particular work you need doing.

References from previous clients are a great way to learn about the level of quality you can expect with their workmanship and products. It's also a great way to find out about the builder's overall conduct. Were they hardworking, reliable and communicate well throughout the process?

Don’t let builders blind you with the cheapest estimate. If possible, go and view some examples of their building work - remember not all homes are created equal so ensure when you're comparing quotes that you are making as direct a comparison as possible.

Check that your potential house builder is a Licenced Building Practitioner (LBP) and check to see if they're members of the New Zealand Certified Builders Association (NZCB) or the Registered Master Builders Association (RMBA).These associations set requirements and rules for their members which should give you some confidence.

Check that the builder has the right insurance to protect you and your property and make sure they offer a guarantee. No homeowner wants to be caught in the midst of a failed building process so having a good building guarantee can give you financial peace of mind for your investment.