Getting your ducks in a row
A practical guide to preparing for your home build, from Dean McGuigan of Golden Homes.
Building a new home is an exciting journey, but without proper preparation, it can quickly become stressful. A reputable building company does more than just construct your home – it guides you through the essential steps before the build begins, ensuring a smooth and well-planned process.
One of the most important steps in building a home is securing financing. A good building company often has strong relationships with mortgage brokers and lenders who specialise in both construction and house-and-land package loans. It can connect you with professionals who understand the requirements of staged or one-off payment lending criteria for new builds. In turn, the building company should be able to easily provide build cost estimates, helping you approach lenders with a clear budget in mind.
Navigating contracts, land titles and building regulations can be overwhelming. At Golden Homes Christchurch, we work with experienced property lawyers to review contracts and clarify and check key terms like fixed-price contracts, helping you avoid unexpected costs down the line. Our in-house Design & Drafting Team collaborates closely with our Consents Manager, who liaises with local councils to ensure compliance with site-specific requirements – safeguarding your investment and providing peace of mind.
Last-minute decisions can lead to costly delays, but a good builder will guide you through every stage of the process to ensure everything is well-planned. They will help you choose the right site, and assess land conditions, secure necessary consents and permits, and provide design solutions that align with your budget and lifestyle needs. In addition, they should assist in creating a realistic timeline, keeping you informed and prepared at every step.
One of the biggest causes of stress during a home build is uncertainty. A professional building company keeps communication open, providing regular updates on progress, timelines and any potential challenges. Setting realistic expectations from the start ensures there are no surprises along the way.
Getting your ducks in a row before committing to a build doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right building company, you’ll have expert guidance from start to finish. From connecting you with trusted finance and legal professionals to handling the design, consent and pricing of your new home, a well-prepared team will help you approach your home-building journey with confidence and peace of mind.
