Choosing a floor plan might seem like the natural first step in building your dream home, but an experienced home builder says it's often the wrong place to start.
Instead, Latitude Homes Otago/Southland licensee owner Kurt Laurie encourages Kiwis to think first about their lifestyle, both now and in the years ahead.
Factoring in lifestyle is too often overlooked by those starting on their home-building journey, he says.
“Many start by comparing floor plans but that, on its own, is just a layout. The real question is how people want to live, work, entertain and spend time with their family while in the house.”
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“We believe lifestyle should shape a person’s home, not the other way round. Either because people are nervous if they have not built before, or overwhelmed by the process, they may not think about factors such as lifestyle.”
“But it is something which can have a big impact on a final design.”
As a result, the first step in a Latitude Homes build is getting to know their client.
“We have to ask the right questions, find out what their wants and needs are, and then partner with them by tailoring our design approach accordingly.
“Building a home is a large investment for people – probably the largest investment most will ever make – so we see it as important that they get what they want and enjoy where they live.”
Founded in 2007 by Marc and Kelly Hunter, Latitude Homes operates throughout New Zealand through a network of 13 locally owned and operated businesses, and has built more than 2000 homes.
It is a model giving customers the personal service and local knowledge of an owner who understands their region, backed by the systems, experience and support of an established national building brand.
Laurie has run his franchise in the deep south for 12 years – it was the first in the South Island – and in that time has worked with hundreds of clients, including first home builders, investors, downsizers and families.
His franchise is operating in a region where the home construction market is booming. Stats NZ figures show that in the Otago region, 2982 new homes were consented in the year to June 2026 – a 13% increase on the previous year.
Nationally, home building is accelerating even faster; 40,581 new homes were consented across New Zealand in the year to June 2026, up 19% on the same time last year. New home consents nationwide are now at their highest annual level in three years.
Amid this housing boom, Laurie says, building companies can produce any number of floor plans – but he sees it as Latitude Homes’ responsibility to go further.
“We’re good listeners,” he says.
“Every job is different, so it is important for us to ask the right questions: how do you live today? How do you like to entertain? What do you want your indoor-outdoor flow to look like? How do you think your kitchen should be set out? Things like that.”
While lifestyle now is important, Laurie says future changes – what people could need in five years, for example – ought to be considered too.
A young couple may need to factor in the possibility of having a family in years to come and decide whether they will need additional or larger bedrooms; while someone nearing retirement may want to consider modifications to their bathroom and garage access.
“Many of these issues are only arrived at by us digging more deeply into a client’s needs. Our aim is to help them through this process with confidence and clarity, which in turn reduces any sense of anxiousness they might have.”
Laurie says great home design starts by asking these questions, as it helps customers identify what matters most before exploring design options and ensures every decision is “purposeful, rather than overwhelming”.
“Everything we do is focused on making our clients’ dreams a reality, and our belief is everyone should be able to afford their own new home. This is what makes Latitude Homes unique – you won’t see a more committed, hard-working and passionate team.
“We’ve also got excellent relationships with our contractors, suppliers and local councils around the region, which means they respect our plans.”
Laurie brings together a group of experienced professionals across building, design, sales and project management – all of whom he says are united by a shared commitment to doing things properly.
“We guide our clients through the design, specification and building process with clear communication, practical advice and attention to detail,” he says. “I like to meet a client and maintain a hands-on approach throughout.”
“From the first conversation we have with people, our team takes the time to understand how they want to live, what matters most to their family and what they want to achieve with their investment.”
Before establishing Latitude Homes, Marc and Kelly Hunter were franchisees of another large building company.
“That experience gave us valuable insight into the industry, but it also convinced us that things could be done differently,” says Marc, the company’s managing director.
“We believed there was an opportunity to create a building company focused on people, strong local relationships and making quality housing more affordable for New Zealanders, while also creating a supportive and sustainable business model for local licensee owners.”
For more information, visit www.latitudehomes.co.nz
