A clear path
Want some confidence? Dean McGuigan of Golden Homes demystifies the process of building a new home.
For many people thinking about building a new home, it isn’t simply wondering, “How much will it cost?” It’s more about, “Can I confidently go ahead?”
Building involves more than choosing a floor plan and picking your kitchen colours. There are sections to assess, plans to develop, engineering requirements to consider, council consents to obtain, contracts to understand and many stages to coordinate before you receive the keys.
Understanding who is responsible for each part of the process can make building feel much more manageable.
Your builder should be able to explain what happens from the beginning. If you already own a section, this includes assessing it, identifying any site-specific requirements, advising you on the best designs for the sun (in both summer and winter), developing your plans and working through the building consent process. In Christchurch and Canterbury, requirements can vary depending on the site location and council involved, so understanding these early can help avoid surprises later.
You’ll also have plenty of decisions to make along the way. How many bedrooms do you need? Where should the living areas face? Will the kitchen work for your family? What heating and storage would be ideal? An experienced design team can help turn your ideas into a practical plan while keeping your lifestyle and budget in mind.
Once construction begins, numerous trades and stages are involved, from foundations and framing through to plumbing, electrical work, cabinetry, flooring and finishing. A good building company coordinates these moving parts for you behind the scenes, so you aren't left trying to manage individual trades yourself.
Communication is equally important. Before signing a contract, it is worth asking how often you will receive updates, who your main point of contact will be, how variations are handled and what happens if something changes during the build.
At Golden Homes Christchurch and Canterbury, our in-house Design and Drafting Team works through the design process with you, while our in-house Council Planning and Consents Manager works with local councils on planning and consent requirements. This means much of the technical coordination happens behind the scenes, with your building team guiding you through the decisions that affect your home.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t need to become a building expert to build a new home. Your builder should provide the experience, coordination and guidance, leaving you to make the decisions that matter to you.
When you understand the process, know who is responsible for what and have an experienced team guiding you, building a new home can feel far less daunting and a lot more achievable.
