[rbx]

Hi - looking to purchase one of theese over here having emigrated 3 weeks ago, they seem good value for money

I assume others have done a lot of research into various kitset homes and would be pleased to receive any advice.

Has anyone built these themselves as we plan to do (with limited experience)? How was it? Do you have a set of plans we could take a look at?

Thanks in advance :-)

[Kim39]

We looked at them and were quite pleased and impressed. However after consulting with them they never followed up on the original meeting and we got the feeling that because we had a sloping section they didn't fancy the contract. Just be aware of this. Make sure that they are aware of all that is involved.

Kim

[thewoodies]

i have fallen in love with SAM Bs house by villa homes - however we havnt sold our house this kit home might be the answer - thanks have forwarded this to my OH at work:cheers

[Kim39]

Also have a look at this site www.kiwitransportablehomes.co.nz (http://www.kiwitransportablehomes.co.nz)

Elaine (Kim39 OH)

[thewoodies]

Thanks have just had a look , i have emailed them for a price list.:D

[thewoodies]

Villa homes are www.villahomes.co.nz - prices start $392.100

[Caroline and Dave]

You may find this helpful
http://www.buildyourdream.co.nz/kitset_homes

Another thing to be aware of is that some sections have covenants on them which prohibit the building of Kitset homes.We wanted one from these people http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~eeh/index.htm but were not allowed a Kit home so just look into this when looking at sections.

[hball]

Be aware of the Building Code 2004 and the amendments currently going through, one of which is Owner Builder Exemption. This restricts the work an owner can do on his building project (or home) and holds him/her accountable as is the professional builder, i.e.implied warranties etc. Any work done by the owner will be recorded on the properties Land Information Memorandum and any future purchaser will be made aware of it.

Obviously this will not apply if the owner is NZ qualified and the work is carried out under his registration!!

Sorry if the above is a bit heavy :)

[andrewp]

Be aware of the Building Code 2004 and the amendments currently going through, one of which is Owner Builder Exemption. This restricts the work an owner can do on his building project (or home) and holds him/her accountable as is the professional builder, i.e.implied warranties etc. Any work done by the owner will be recorded on the properties Land Information Memorandum and any future purchaser will be made aware of it.

I quite enjoy a bit of DIY even to fairly complex stuff. I was hoping to save a bunch by doing some of the finishing myself. Tiling, electrix etc. Perhaps I need to go to night school and do a trade.

[PeteS]

I quite enjoy a bit of DIY even to fairly complex stuff. I was hoping to save a bunch by doing some of the finishing myself. Tiling, electrix etc. Perhaps I need to go to night school and do a trade.

You can't do all the electrics. You are not allowed to carry out work within a main switchboard.

And even if you do the bit you are allowed to do, you'll still need a Certificate of Compliance from a registered electrician before you can get the lines company to put meters in and power on, and also the council will want to see the CoC prior to issuing the Code Compliance Certificate at the end of the building process.

You may think you can get a sparky along to inspect and issue the CoC. As a sparky myself, I won't issue a CoC on that basis as I am signing a legal document that states I have inspected all the installation (this includes bits I can't see like cables in walls and buried cables) and that it all complies with the regulations and the relevant standards. After doing that, I'm the one that gets fined and loses his registration if a part I didn't see proves to be non compliant.

The only way I'd issue a CoC on an installation done by someone else is if I stood and looked over their shoulder every step of the way. And then you may as well pay me to do it anyway......

[thewoodies]

You may find this helpful
http://www.buildyourdream.co.nz/kitset_homes

Another thing to be aware of is that some sections have covenants on them which prohibit the building of Kitset homes.We wanted one from these people http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~eeh/index.htm but were not allowed a Kit home so just look into this when looking at sections.

:D Thanks - they look lovely - i have emailed and asked for prices

[andrewp]

Thanks for clearing that up Pete. I had suspected it would be like that and I agree with the reasoning behind it. Looks like I'm going to have to be careful what I get involved in. As an engineer I love getting my hands dirty!


You can't do all the electrics. You are not allowed to carry out work within a main switchboard.

And even if you do the bit you are allowed to do, you'll still need a Certificate of Compliance from a registered electrician before you can get the lines company to put meters in and power on, and also the council will want to see the CoC prior to issuing the Code Compliance Certificate at the end of the building process.

You may think you can get a sparky along to inspect and issue the CoC. As a sparky myself, I won't issue a CoC on that basis as I am signing a legal document that states I have inspected all the installation (this includes bits I can't see like cables in walls and buried cables) and that it all complies with the regulations and the relevant standards. After doing that, I'm the one that gets fined and loses his registration if a part I didn't see proves to be non compliant.

The only way I'd issue a CoC on an installation done by someone else is if I stood and looked over their shoulder every step of the way. And then you may as well pay me to do it anyway......

[PeteS]

Thanks for clearing that up Pete. I had suspected it would be like that and I agree with the reasoning behind it. Looks like I'm going to have to be careful what I get involved in. As an engineer I love getting my hands dirty!

Just because that's the way it is doesn't mean I agree with it! And although I'm building our house and can sign off my own electrics, I suddenly lost all my plumbing skills when we came out here and found I needed to employ a drainlayer and a plumber so I can get all the right bits of paper for the council!

I think if it's your property you should be able to do what you like provided it complies with the relevant codes. And most of this type of restriction has come in since the leaky homes thing. Leaky houses designed by architects and engineers, and built by builders. Home builders don't build leaky homes, they have to live in them! Even my building inspectors say that is the case, but then say we have to work within the legislative framework we have. Ho hum...