[Moorf]

Has anyone built their own home in NZ? Or investigated the costs of doing so?

We are toying with the idea of buying some land and having one of the "Heritage" designs put on it.. they are really cheap to build ($150 for 4 bed ensuite wraparound veranda type thing) but I can't believe the total cost is just land and build.. or is it really that simple?!!

Woz seems to think that that's that (wow how many "thats" in one sentence!!). But surely there must be other costs such as connections, foundations etc or hidden costs that need to be budgeted for?

I must admit the whole "build your own" is a bit scary to me :uhoh so I'd be really interested in hearing from anyone who has done/is doing this!

[eric_amanda]

Hi Moorf

We have not done it, but we did look into it and these fact stick with me:

At least $20,000 to have services conected, incl water and septic tanks fitted for rural

A general rule of thumb for building was about $1000 for every square metre

We have a couple of friends who have done this and they have both said that their are LOTS of hidden costs.

It would be interesting to see what you find out.

Amanda

[Yogi]

There's a housebuilding website for Christchurch area at:

http://www.cdh.co.nz

Their website is quite good and lists extensively what is included and potential build prices for all properties on their site.

They don't include central heating however (a must for us) but I've gathered to budget around NZ$20k for an oil fired system in a 4 bed house.

Cheers,

Yogi.

[Bubbles]

Moorf,

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=55&highlight=building&sid=abb61cde 681e8afe91590b2ad6c0852f

john

I think you may have posted this link to me some time ago

:cheers

[Diny]

This is one of the avenues PB and I have thought about going down. When you say the 'heritage' is $150k, is that just the house supplied and built or does that also include all the electrical supplies too - i.e. the wires, cables, plug sockets and light switches. I would imagine you have to get a sparky in to wire it all up.

Does the price provide just a shell or do you get a fitted kitchen and bathroom too. Is any decorating in with that price (I wouldn't imagine not).

We kind of came to the conclusion that once you've bought the plot of land (or should I say section), bought the house and paid for all the other stuff you end up with quite an invoice. But - you do get a brand new place built just how you want it.

I'd be interested to hear what folks have found out on this one.

Diny

[Moorf]

Diny - the company we have seen and made initial enquiries with is Murray Homes in Chch. The "Heritage" price is fixed and includes all kitchens, bathrooms etc in the price ($150 is actually their big Heritage - they start at approx $120k!). Also includes all electrics and connections to water/sewage/phone etc providing these services are at the site already. They claimed it's a walk-in solution and they take care of everything. You can spec in your own brands of kitchen/bathroom and change around the internal walls or add on externally or extend decking etc.. it can all be done and priced accordingly.

There is a small deposit to pay at the beginning of the contract and the remainder is payable on completion.. ie. no stage payments.

I personally thought this sounded too good to be true hence my post asking for anyones personal experiences!

What is doesn't include is any sealed drives, landscaping/levelling of site.

We enquired about double glazing and were told this was an extra and could be done for $3k extra. :nice1

You can view their plans at http://www.murrayhomes.co.nz/house_plans.htm

[Jo and Andy]

The only info I have for you is that when we visited an emegration consultant, he said that building your own house was the best idea and he had built his own just outside wellington. You got exactly what you wanted and cheaper than buying a premade one.

Have not looked into it yet, bar a looking at a few sites ages ago. Fantastic one about straw, yes Straw houses, don't know the cost but they look fantastic and very good with insulation. http://www.strawbale.co.nz/htm/product.htm could be the end of heating problems, but probably very expensive

[Moorf]

OH JO.. not you too! :laugh

Woz doesn't seem able to stick to the norm.. oh no.. he's getting excited about strawbale houses, mudpack houses (yes.. MUD :eek ) and log cabins.. nothing is straightforward in this house!!

[Diny]

Blooming heck Moorf that IS a good price !!!!! And only an extra $3k for double glazing ...... bargain I'd say.

Diny

[Moorf]

Yep and I'm always slightly suspicious of bargains! :uhoh

[markkellaway]

Remember that you have to pay GST on the land as well if you build your own.

Probably already thought of this but just in case. :angel

Mark. :P

[Jo and Andy]

Woz is right, something different about straw and mud house, warm cosy, sound proofed, I saw one built on Grand designs and then looked on the web, they look great. I'm with you Woz, not sure if the bank manager would be.

Here's a thought though as it is much sunnier over there and we should be looking at saving the planet, are there many solar panel heating systems that can save you money on heating etc.

Don't worry I am not a hippy, (not that there is anything wrong with them, mostly). But solar panels work across europe as a suppliment to heating costs why not save our resources.

[Moorf]

Now that's funny Jo, because you'd think there'd be solar panels all over the place here wouldn't you.. but I don't think I've seen a single one!! :eek

Good thought too.. will add to checklist for house...

Now you know what's going to happen.. I'm going to walk outside tomorrow and EVERY house will have a solar panel that I hadn't noticed :laugh

[markkellaway]

Some friends of ours, who live in Blenheim, went to see some Pool suppliers in Christchurch. They were suggesting solar panels to provide heat and power for the Pool, so they must be available.

Mark. :P

[kiwidebs]

Solar panels definately exist - I remember friends of my parents installing some years ago.

This is another interesting thread. Hubbie and I have discussed building our own place on occasion. I like the idea of central heating and great insulation (saw the straw houses on Grand Designs too and loved the idea!!). I've become spoilt living here in the UK and can't see me going back to the old days of getting dressed under the bed covers cos it was too cold to get up to dress (I was 9 and I lived in Blenheim at the time! We only ever heated two rooms of the house, the lounge had an open fire and we had a kerosene heater that wheeled between the bathroom and kitchen depending on the greater need!!).
Have been looking thru all the websites and have decided that this definately will require more thorough investigation once we reach NZ!!

Debs

[Bubbles]

Another fairly local company/builder for you to look at.

Peter Ray Homes Ltd
213 Blenheim Road
PO Box 8184
Riccarton
Christchurch
New Zealand

http://www.peterrayhomes.co.nz/contact.html

Might be a bit modern for your taste Moorf if you're looking at the " Heritage " style.

John

[Bubbles]

Also, a quite usefull site concerning the solar energy question.

:nice1

http://www.able-solar.co.nz/
--------------------------------------------------

Straw houses, won't you ever learn. What about the Big Bad Wolf ? :eek

[Nicola]

Straw houses, won't you ever learn. What about the Big Bad Wolf ? :eek

What they have those in NZ to, we were hoping to leave them all behind in the UK. :laugh

Nic

[Timbo]

Does anyone know of a builder specialising in Hobbit holes? ;)

[leslie]

cambridge school had solar pool. nice but chilly in winter

[Mike & Nicola]

Does anyone know of any building companies in and around the Wellington area? Do these houses have to be built in a specific way to accomodate the risk of earthquake (and winds)?

Sent a mail to the strawbale company Re prices - will let you know if I hear anything. They look fantastic! (And warm!!!!)

House building definitely appears to be the best way to go to get our UK creature comforts.

Mike

[Moorf]

Thanks for sites guys - I am off today to chat to some house builders so I'll report back and try and ask some of your questions.

Will also try and get them to give me solar costs.

It's weird, it's almost as if building our own house is our "last resort" - following on from a thread where someone said there were disappointed with the houses for sale - we are too - and so we always start talking about building just after we've "lost" another house :uhoh

Plus, there are considerations like "which comes first, the house design or the plot"? I say this because we have looked at a few plots and had to discount them because the house wouldn't "fit" to take advantage of the views etc... *sigh* so we would either have had to change the house style we wanted or find another plot!

[Gran]

The only aspect of straw houses that would concern me would be vermin !!!

[Bubbles]

Does anyone know of a builder specialising in Hobbit holes? ;)

Timbo,
I can give you the number of a good gynaecologist if that helps matey.
:laugh :laugh

Or try this..............

http://stormbear.com/bagend2/index.php

or this,

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1305182/posts

:nice1

[veronica]

The straw is supposedly enclosed completely with a clay / adobe type lining so in theory there shouldn't be vermin.

[Moorf]

http://www.sustainable-structures.com/

A NZ straw-bale home site.

:nice1

[Jo and Andy]

They look sooooo cosy.

But so does your new house, Moorf.

Now all you need is the solar panels on the roof.

[eric_amanda]

Solar Panels we can help with - we have them on our house here, probably because the guy who built our house 20yrs ago had his own solar panel business!!!

They heat all our water, although we do have back up electrictiy if required, which at the moment it is. Our panels need cleaning (on the list for Eric). We have one large panel which supplies the main part of the house ie laundry, kitchen, bathroom etc the smaller one is on top of the master bedroom and supplies the ensuite and the sleepout.

I guess we will get a better picture of how they work once Eric gets round to cleaning them, but they do seem popular up here.

We have friends sho have solar heating for their pool. Their comments are that it does raise the temperature, but probably only by a couple of degrees. I guess that is better than nothing?

I have also seen that you can get solar panels to open gates instead of by electric.

We also have spring water here. We have an extra water tank that stores the spring water for us, and it is used for flushing our toilets, stock troughs and external taps!

Amanda

[Moorf]

Hmm not sure solar would work due to the position of the house within trees :?

Definitely worth investigating though - I suppose, thinking about it, they don't necessarily have to go on the roof...

[jo b]

Timbo,

you dissapoint me :no I though that as the fountain of all knowledge for Tauranga you would have found a house building website.

Jo

[Timbo]

Just check out yellow pages JO.

http://www.intalok.co.nz/


http://www.goldenhomes.co.nz/

http://www.signaturehomes.co.nz/

[jo b]

Wow,

your gonna be a GREAT neighbour :nice1 :hopeso

Ta

Jo

[Timbo]

No worrys Jo.
Are you thinking along the lines of buying a section and building from scratch? I must admit, it has been going through my mind to do just that, as prices are a bit crazy at the mo.
I will e-mail some contacts in the building game out there and see what we are talking $ wise per square metre.
Maybe we could club together and get a few acres between us. You never know when you might run out of sugar. :P

[jo b]

Timbo

that sounds like a plan.

Ian and I have always dreamed of building our own. Yeah I would look into buying together as you can save on the cost of installing services.

i have searched on the internet for a price per sq ft or sq m but can't find anything so if you can that would be great.

Cheers

Jo

[Bubbles]

Can we do a 3 way split ?

:nice1

[jo b]

Hey Bubbles
of course

we can create our own ex pat community :nice1

It's definately something to look into. We want to live with a lot of land around but not be isolated so maybe a few neighbours might be the answer. Sorry just I have a degree in stating the obvious. What I mean is people who want a similar thing might be the answer.
Jo

[Timbo]

For some strange reason, as soon as I read your last post Jo, a song popped into my head. Elvis, In the Ghetto. :laugh

[coyotewildwomen]

My dream is to build an extremely high quality home, that was based on the Not So Big Houses, concept- extremely well designed with great finishes, but not so large. Any idea how difficult it is to get fine craftspeople for things like wood floors, cabinetry, stone work, etc.

Thanks,

Wendy

[leslie]

our intent is to have double glazing, proper heat & ventilation, a sauna/ steam room and after last nights jodie f movie the idea of a panic room is growing on me. its the perfect place to 'get away from it all'. and it sounds cooler than 'home cinema'.

[sweetpea]

Just toured a straw bale house a couple of blocks away from me. It was lovely, and so cosy feeling.

You can see it here:

http://thornwallproperties.mlsb.com/mls/detail.cfm?cid=31&list_numb=40063545&list=1&type=S FR&ht=3

(Click on View all Photos. The straw bale house is featured in photos 6-10.)

[tigerlily]

Here's a straw bale place up north.

http://www.ljhooker.co.nz/property_listing.php?id=134683&type=lifestyle&cate gory=buy

[NoelMC]

We have just returned from Nelosn where I spoke to a builder regarding costs of building.
The figure of $1000 per sq m was mentioned as a good guide price, although this will increase if the plot (sorry , section) is difficult, ie sloping.

We saw a show house in the hills above Nelson (Panarama drive I think) that was 280 sq m. The Builder said he could build it for us for $280,000. Sections just up the road were for sale for $250-$300 K.

The completed house was on the market for $850,000.

I will be interested to see if they get the $850,000 they want!

The builder said that double glazing is starting to become more used, he quoted an on cost of $5k to buildi the house we were looking at with it.
They also fit heat pumps, and electric underfloor heating in the bathrooms.
They could also fit higher than required insulation, for all the ex pat brits who demand it!


On the Solar heating note my discussions with friends in Nelson was that it is very much the norm in NZ. He only has to electrically part heat his water for 2 month of the year.

Another big thing is using the water off the roof. I have friends in Chch and Nelson and they both drink what comes off the roof.
The garden is watered by perforated pipes from the septic tank (I think its called Liquor). (Must double check all plumber work !!)
So they are very green in their use of water.

Hope this helps

Noel

PS didnt like our visit to CHCH, we arrived the day Rod Stewart was playing a concert and we couldnt find a Hotel room, everywhere was booked up, we had to stay in Springfield (Homer Simpson jokes now please).

We found ChCh very snoooooty, we were looking at the hills areas and all the realtors wanted to talk about was the class of people in the various areas UUUURRRRGGG.

[Timbo]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3202555a13,00.html

I rather liked the final sentence about having so little land left. :clap

[eric_amanda]

Just wanted to pick up on the solar heating point made by NoelMC.

We have water heating solar panels here. The smallest covers the en-suite and the sleepout, and the large one the rest of the house i.e. the fam bathroonm, laundry and kitchen. Our problem is that the large one is broken. We originally thought it just needed a good clean, but after doing that and taking advice it has had it.

I have spoken with a local solar panel supplier and he tells me that to replace it is will cost $4838. (This can be paid 0% over 3yrs at $166pm). However, when we did our sums and worked out what we are paying to use electric to heat our water at present, it will take 15 years to make the solar panel pay, by which time it will be on its last legs. On top of that it wil need servicing every 5 yrs at a cost of about $250!

Not a cheap option as fabulous an idea it is. We had an architect here on Saturday as we are thinking of doing a few renovations and when we quizzed him about water heating and solar panels he confirmed that solar panels in NZ are very expensive and NOT cost effective.

Apparently in OZ there is a govt subsidy (I think they are begining to start this in the UK also), which makes it much more cost effective.

A shame really, all that sun............

We are now considering gas water heating, which we could install for about $1500-$2000. We can have the large gas bottles under the house and they even come to the house to fill them for you!!

Amanda

[Yogi]

Big gas bottles under the house, wouldn't that be unnerving?

Might be a very spectacular if brieft view out of the window one day! :P

Cheers,

Yogi.

[Moorf]

It's quite common, ours are in the cupboard next to the gas cooker!! :eek

[eric_amanda]

Hmmm hadn't thought about it like that! But as Moorf says it is very popular here! :yes

I may out of interest enquire to see how much it would cost to link us up to piped gas??? :?

Amanda

[Moorf]

At least you have the choice, no piped gas on the South Island :no

[eric_amanda]

Its still not popular here, not sure why but our rental was right in town and still they used gas bottles!

[Moorf]

Thankfully the house we bought has gas cooker with bottled gas - I hate cooking on electric :?

[RoadRunner]

NoelMC,
"We have just returned from Nelosn where I spoke to a builder regarding costs of building.
The figure of $1000 per sq m was mentioned as a good guide price, although this will increase if the plot (sorry , section) is difficult, ie sloping."

Wow! That seems like a decent price. We ran into a builder in Welly who said the going price was $1,400 to $1,600 per square meter. Even at that price, it seems almost cheaper to go with a builder than to buy a new home in a subdivision. Unless there are hidden costs or add-ons. He said it was a fixed-price contract. Anyone out there done that yet in NZ?

[eric_amanda]

Moorf, I am now dreaming of cooking on gas!! :wah

I sooo miss my gas hob! I don't mind electric (must be fan) oven, but electric hobs just do not work :no

Part of our planned renovations is to extend and put in a new kitchen, a gas hob is top of the list :yes

Roadrunner, when we looked into building our own we were quoted $1080 per sqm, dependant on section eg sloping adds more excavation costs etc.

I don't think anyone has actually done it yet from the forum, although plenty of us have looked into it.

We have friends who did it recently and they say there are lots of hidden costs and our neighbours are about to start building theirs, will let you all know their feedback once completed.

I think you can actually get fixed priced contracts, it just makes me wonder what happens if things go wrong and they have to go over budget, do they then start cutting corners?

Amanda

[miep]

We have built, and do NOT believe anyone who says you can build for $1000 p/sq m! $1500 is the absolute minimum and be prepared to add costs for a properly (european) specced house. The building code does not specify insulation in inside walls for example, which means you can hear someone turning around in their bed in the room next to you. There are also no rules for ventilation which makes for sick buildings and the list goes on and on.
We are very particular about a lot of things(central heating, timberframed double glazed windows instead of aluminium) and had a very difficult steep site which made our square meter rate climb to over 3k! (this includes land, architect, nice tapware and lamps, transport and everything else). If you are less fussy and have an easier and cheaper site it can be done for less but best prepare for the worst.

And yes we cook on bottled gas, I hate cooking on electric and for once this choice actually turns out to be cheaper! Our gas bottle lives outside though, too dangerous to have inside.
We also have solar hot water, don't remember exactly how much that cost but I do remember that the return on investment was less than 10 yrs. These panels are supposed to last 25 yrs so it made (economic) sense to us.
There are now government funded interest free loans (or something along those lines)available on some energy saving measures but we didn't qualify or bought ours before the scheme came into force.

Don't get me wrong, if you want to build, by all means go ahead, but don't get blinded by what builders tell you about square meter rates, and read Leslie's post on developers and architects elsewhere on this forum.

:cheers Miep

[Timbo]

Miep. It seems from that post that builders are builders wherever you are in the world.
Did your building project go according to plan and schedule (apart from cost) ? or did you have the usual "oohh, I dont know about that madam, it will cost you", sort of builder that us brits are used to.

[eric_amanda]

miep

It was very interesting to read you 'real world' experience of building your own home and it confirmed our feedback that there are lots of hidden costs.

We agree about insulation etc, our house is 20yrs old and the main open plan living area is high ceilings and little or no insulation, which means it gets v hot in summer and we would guess cold in winter ... watch this space!

Regarding your point on solar panels. What brand is the solar panel you have? And who supplied it? As you have probably read we have a problem with ours and would love to replace it, but the supplier suggested it would last 15yrs, 20 if we were lucky. By doing the sums we calculated it would take 15 yrs for it to be paid for. Adn therefore not financially viable. You are right about the interest free loan. We were offered it over 3yrs at $166 pm :?

Very envious of your gas cooker!!! :laugh :laugh

Amanda

[leslie]

i forgot to mention another good way to build - again can ne huge success if you do your homework.

there are contractors around who approach the job with great skill and professionalism. they are as dedicated as your average architect/ exceptional archie. they usually work in a small team and each has a skill set that is complimentary. the best way to find out if someone qualifies in these competencies is to look at previous work and take references, both owner and professional. google the professional references they give you to see where referee is coming from. google the contractor. ask for the names of a couple of the sub-contractors he would be using on your house? google them...

too many people in the business are better talkers than doers. when you ak for info put them on the spot. dont let them go home to write up a list.

i had a dream last night of my friends husband (getting interesting?) which is natures way of reminding the hypothyroid of us. michael is a 'contractor' but does tons of work for picky, top architects mainly in n america. his projects appear in magazines around the globe. he is totally hands-on, will move into a caravan on site if it calls for it. knows how to do most everything although doesn't hesitate to contract out when appropriate. not the quickest builder, but his client dont have 3 years of snagging/ costs to manage following his departure.

it cannot be emphasized enough that if you are going to build your dream home you need to put a little front-end research in. you wouldn't hand your savings to a stranger in the street and its that much easier when they are sitting on your sofa making googli eyes at you. if you cannot research to save your life then google. if it works for al quaida it can work for you.

[miep]

We built with labour-only contractors and a project manager with me doing most of the leg-work, transportation, research and bargaining. Our project did take a lot longer than anticipated mainly because of the weather and the windows turning up late. Like I said, if we had been less fussy it would have been much easier but because we know what we are like we preferred to do it this way and avoid the "this was not in the contract madam" arguments we were sure to have had had we contracted in the "normal" way.

The solar panels are Chromagen, made in Israel and supplied by Negawatt in Lower Hutt. Not cheap but very good. We moved in a few days before we had a proper power connection and the water (300l tank) heated up from cold to shower temp in 1 day ( in winter).

:cheers Miep