FAQs

At our first meeting we will have the opportunity to get to know one another.  We want to get a better understanding of your ideas, desires and expectations but we also want you to feel comfortable in asking us questions as well.

It’s a good idea to have all the decision-makers present at the first meeting.  Typically, everyone has some sort of input or information to add about the project.  The following are some of the items we would like to discuss with you at our first meeting:

• What is the project you are considering?  Why are you considering this project now?  What do you hope to gain from the project? What are your present and future needs?
• Do you have concerns about the building process?  How do you see yourself going through the building process?
• What is your approximate budget?  We’ll need to have a frank and honest discussion of how much you want to invest in your home.  We can only offer an estimate of how much your project will cost, but if we understand your budget then we can then offer you helpful, practical advice to help you keep within it.
• How long do you plan to stay in your home?

Yes, in most cases you will need a building consent. However, engaging with a builder before the consenting stage can help to make planning easier and potentially save you money in the long run.

YES! Waiheke Home Builders are proud members of New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB). This means we can offer our clients Halo – a comprehensive 10-Year Residential Guarantee. This unique cover is a safety net for your building project that’s only available when you work with a highly qualified NZCB approved builder.

Yes. Before starting your project, we will provide you with a comprehensive building contract from NZCB. This ensures we are both protected throughout the building process.

A fixed price includes a contract price; in most cases, this is what you can expect to pay for your build. You then make progress payments at pre-defined stages throughout the build.

Fixed price contracts can offer certainty at the start of your build. However, it is important to know that the contract price can change. There is no way to get a contract with every element fixed, particularly in a renovation situation when the condition of certain areas of the house can’t be seen, so there will always be some room for add-ons and price changes. Also, most fixed-price contracts will exclude some elements from the price, such as excavation or foundation work. This means the price could rise if, for example, pipes are found that weren’t included on the council plans, or large rocks are where the piles need to go.

Our preferred building contract is called Cost-plus-markup. We will give you an estimated sum of what the build will cost; you will be invoiced fortnightly for labour, materials, sub-contractors, and overheads with an agreed markup added on top. This offers more transparency as you know exactly where your money is being spent.

For both fixed-price and cost-plus markup contracts, we provide you with a detailed scope of work outlining what is and isn’t included in the build. Any variations or work will be charged as an additional expense but will be agreed to by you first.

If controlling your budget is important to you, a fixed-price contract may be a better option as you will know from the outset how much your build will cost. This can be helpful if you have a tight budget or need a bank to approve a loan. However, it is important to note that builders will include a sum for contingencies in a fixed price contract. This is to allow for any unexpected or unknown issues that may develop as your build progresses.

If you would like to have more flexibility to make changes, then a cost-plus markup contract may be a better option. You only pay for the labour and materials that are used as your build progresses. So, if your project runs ahead of schedule, you reap the benefits.

Cost-plus markup contracts can make it harder to know what the exact final cost will be, but for a small fee our Quantity Surveyor can provide you with a high-level price proposal so you can see where your money is going to be spent or where savings can be made.

Funnily enough the best way to keep on budget is to invest a small amount of money into the pricing of your build before finalising your plans and applying for building consent. This simple step can save you thousands and help you build a home your family will love without the financial stress.

Over the years we have seen many disappointed homeowners who can’t afford the home their architects have drawn simply because they weren’t aware of the costs up front. That’s why we work with an experienced Quantity Surveyor to price our clients builds. Of course, you will have to pay for their time, but this will be a lot less than paying for fully consented plans that you cannot afford to build.