Due to an unfortunate myth, some Kiwis think building a new home will be stressful, unpredictable and full of delays
Stories about blown budgets, endless delays and difficult building projects have become part of housing folklore, leading some buyers to rule out building before they even explore the option.
In reality, the process is usually far more structured than people expect.
Latitude Homes managing director Marc Hunter, whose company is a nationwide brand with local teams on the ground throughout the country, said there is often a lack of understanding about how the process actually works.
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“A lot of people assume building will be chaotic or difficult to manage,” he said.
“They imagine they’ll have to organise everything themselves.”
Most modern home builds follow a clear sequence, with builders guiding clients from design and council consents through to construction.
Once buyers begin exploring the option, Hunter said many are surprised by how organised the process actually is.
“People realise they’re guided through each stage. They’re not left to figure it out alone.”
One of the biggest concerns buyers raise is how long a build might take.
Unlike buying an existing house, where the property is already standing, building involves several steps before construction even begins. Design decisions must be made, plans prepared and council approvals secured, the latter of which take some time.
But once work begins, builders say the process follows a predictable sequence.
Ross Hughey, who oversees the King Country region, said that structure removes much of the uncertainty buyers often expect.
“Once the build gets underway, there’s a clear process,” he said. “Each stage happens in order and everyone knows what comes next.”
Regular communication helps keep clients informed once construction begins.
“We send a weekly update every Friday with photos, what’s happened on site that week and what’s coming up next,” he said.
“People know exactly what stage the build is at.”
Working with an experienced builder also means home owners are not managing tradespeople or contractors themselves.
Instead, the builder co-ordinates plumbers, electricians, suppliers and inspectors while keeping the project moving.
“That’s a big part of what we do,” Hughey said. “The builder manages the project so the client doesn’t have to.”
Hughey said industry protections also help reassure buyers who are nervous about building.
“We’re a registered Master Builder, so there’s a 10-year Master Build Guarantee on top of what we offer,” he said. “It gives people another level of confidence when they’re starting the process.”
For some buyers, the reality of the process becomes clear only once they begin the journey.
Viji and Andrew, who live in the United States, recently worked with Latitude Homes to build a new home near Dunedin.
Managing the project from overseas meant most meetings took place virtually, but the couple said clear communication early in the process made the build easier to manage. Despite the 19–21-hour time difference, the project ran without difficulty.
“The team were very accommodating with scheduling.”
Because the couple were overseas while searching for land, Kurt Laurie, who looks after the Otago region, personally visited potential sections on their behalf.
“He went above and beyond. He visited about ten sections for us and sent video snippets of the sites and surrounding areas so we could understand what they were like.”
Once construction began, they said the project stayed well organised.
“They clearly explained each step and gave us plenty of time to make decisions,” they said.
“We felt well informed and updated throughout the build.”
Their experience challenged many of the assumptions they had heard about building.
“Overall it was an excellent experience.”
Hunter said that reaction is common once people begin exploring the option.
“There’s a lot of information out there that can make building sound daunting,” he said.
“But once people sit down and talk with a builder, they realise it’s not as complicated as they thought. Building isn’t the mystery people sometimes think it is.”
If you are keen to find out how a new build could work for you, get in touch with your local Latitude Homes team or visit latitudehomes.co.nz to explore their plans, sections and building options.
