Question 1

Do I need to pay upfront for architecturally designed plans/renders & elevations?

Accepted Answer

No, our process means we meet with you on your section & start to gather information on what your dreams are. We sit down with a blank piece of paper and get all of your design elements into a design brief. It’s not until you are completely happy with the footprint of your home, how it looks & feels, and the price before we go off to the contract stage and a deposit is paid.

Question 2

How do you keep communication up through the build?

Accepted Answer

We have an app called Monday.com. As a client you are able to communicate with subcontractors, see timelines and completion dates. Each portion of the build is broken down with timeframes on each. We also have regular site meetings and each job is assigned its own dedicated project manager.

Question 3

Do you charge a generic square metre rate?

Accepted Answer

No, and any builder that sets a square metre rate before doing a design might be telling you porky’s. A square box is far cheaper to build than a rectangular one - even if they are the same square meterage. A rectangle for example needs more windows, more cladding, more Gib because its circumference is larger than a square of the same size internally. We will explain this more in a design brief, but we can work to most budgets depending upon design.

Question 4

What are your prices?

Accepted Answer

Prices vary depending on  what you are looking for. Our process means we meet with you on your section & start to gather information on what your wants and needs are. We sit down with a blank piece of paper and get all of your design elements into a design brief and it goes in for pricing.

Question 5

What insurances do you have to protect my new build?

Accepted Answer

Build7 has contract insurance and we are registered master builders which means the homeowner is protected with a 10 year master build guarantee that starts from the time they sign the contract. It covers a range of things such as materials, workmanship and structural defects to name a few.

Question 6

How long does a build take?

Accepted Answer

We have a sunset clause in our contracts, but from slab down to completion is approximately 6 months (depending on how Architectural the build is).

Question 7

Can I make changes through the build?

Accepted Answer

Yes, certainly. You can make as many changes as you wish post contract - as long as they are not structural changes. You will want to ensure the footprint of your dream home is set in stone for the working drawings stage of the process - but, in terms of cladding, taps, products used etc etc - change away. We do not charge any fees, or any margin for that matter on variations - what Build7 is charged is what we charge the client. You pay the variations bill at the completion of your build.

Question 8

How are your House Plans created?

Accepted Answer

All Build7 house plans and floor plans have been designed and carefully created by our architects and designers over a number of years. Our designs range from ‘affordable’ – which are suitable if you are a first home buyer right up to… the sky’s the limit! Basic modern principles apply in order to maximise space and take into account the purpose of each area of the house. Design details are important. Some designs are 2 storey, some are single storey, and some suit sloping sections and different topography. Get in touch for personal help.

Question 9

How does the pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Pricing of your new home will depend on a number of factors. These include the size and design of the house, your location within New Zealand and other factors. The best way to start is to request a free consultation and have a no pressure discussion about your goals. We’d love to help.

Question 10

What changes can I make to your House Plans?

Accepted Answer

You can change anything! It’s your home, and it should be perfectly suited to your style preferences, lifestyle, family and your budget. After years of house building and understanding modern principles of house design we’ll guide you through the process. Using one of our house plans as a ‘base’ plan then tweaking it to suit you can make it truly unique and is a great option for some clients.

Question 11

I'm not sure what I want. Can I get help?

Accepted Answer

If you are just getting started on your new home journey, then we would love to give you some honest ideas and guidance with house plans and the building process in general. We provide a Free Build Planning Service which allows you to understand the process so you can feel in control. This service is pressure-free and could save you money and time. For more information, please contact us.

Question 12

I see a Floor Plan I like, what do I do now?"

Accepted Answer

If you like a floor plan or design in our range then the next step is to get in touch for a conversation without any pressure. We’ll talk to you about finding land (if you need it), and how we can transform the design you like into reality. There’s a number of steps involved, but with our help the process doesn’t have to be daunting.

Question 13

What are House and Land Packages?

Accepted Answer

House and Land Packages are made up of two parts. The section or land and the new house. The new house is already designed and yet to be built, but the basic house design and floor plans are carefully matched to suit the section on which it will be built. House & Land Packages can be a great way of getting the home you want especially if you haven’t yet secured any land and your goal is to build new in an area of New Zealand where land is harder to find. Although the house designs are already pre-determined, there can still be scope to customise it for your particular lifestyle, family and circumstances. The main benefits to this type of building are that often, a lot of the preliminary work involving the site has already been done. This can save time and money (not to mention stress). This work could include geo-technical analysis and reports, the engineering and earthworks, the connection of utilities such as water and power and the overall suitability of the section to be built on. For some people, finding the right section that ticks all the boxes can be a challenge and there can be a steep learning curve if you go it alone. One problem that can be costly is where people purchase land only to discover it requires serious money to be spent in order for the house to construction to start. It’s not only ensuring the section is build-ready. It’s also about ensuring the house design itself is appropriate for the section. Considerations that have already been made include matching the house to the lay of the land (topography), positioning regarding maximising sunlight and street appeal and more.

Question 14

Can I change the house design?

Accepted Answer

You can alter any aspect of any Build7 House and Land Package. It’s totally your call. While cosmetic or finishing alterations can be easily made and may not affect the overall price of the package deal, any changes to the ‘footprint’ or extra construction work may have an extra cost. For example this might include building extra rooms or features that are not part of the original specification of the package. The good news is that if there are any variations, these are carefully managed and fully agreed with you before building begins.

Question 15

Can I talk to you about finance?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Build7 work closely with finance or construction loan specialists who are experts at putting together the finance you need to start the House and Land project. This area of finance is specialised and in our opinion is outside of the area that banks usually specialise in. It’s worth talking to one of our independent mortgage experts. Their service is usually free. A low deposit of 5% may be all that is needed to get into a new house.

Question 16

I can't find a House and Land Package that I like, can you help me?"

Accepted Answer

If you’ve looked for a package deal and can’t find exactly what you want, then get in touch with us. We have new House and Land Packages coming to market all the time. As well as this, we can help you source land through our personal and industry contacts around Canterbury where normally you may not be able to gain access to.

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