Written by Urban Homes on Jun 15, 2018

Common questions asked by first-time home builders

As a first-time home builder, the thought of building a house from the ground up can be both extremely exciting and somewhat overwhelming. At Urban Homes we’re here to answer your questions and squash the preconceived perceptions which are often associated with building a house for the first time.

The journey to building a house, whether it’s your first, second or third, always comes with questions, and our team encourage you to ask them. No matter how big or small, tricky or straightforward they may seem, we’re always happy to answer them to ensure you understand the process.

Common questions

These questions enable you to take ownership of your build and make informed decisions at every step of the way. Below are some of the commonly asked questions we get from many people building a house for the first time. We hope you find them useful as you set out on this exciting journey to your dream home.

Can I use my own plan or ideas?

Yes! We encourage you to bring your ideas to the table and we can incorporate them into the design and specification of your new home, whether it is a pre-designed plan that can be modified to suit your requirements, or a custom design and build. This is one of the distinct advantages of building a house vs buying a house.

How long does the build process take?

The whole process usually takes between 9-12 months. This includes planning and design for your home, costing, full draughting of the working drawing, obtaining all necessary consents and the actual build time, which equates to on average 4-7 months depending on the size and complexity of your home.

How much does it cost to build a new home?

This depends on the design of your home and what products and material you would like to use. Other factors also contribute to the cost of your build, such as roof design and internal fitting and features. To give you an idea of the budget you’ll need, read our blog on how much it costs to build a home.

At Urban, we work closely with our clients to ensure you stay within your build budget and will provide suggestions on how you can achieve your dream home with the budget you have.

Do you offer a fixed price contract?

Absolutely! We are proud of the fact that we can confidently offer a fixed price contract that you can rely on and guarantee there’ll be no hidden surprises along the way.

How does the payment structure work?

The industry norm is for progress payments to be made at certain stages of the build. We offer an alternative new home finance solution on home and land packages called Urban SmartKey. This allows for a 10% deposit to be made with balance of payment upon completion. Speak to us about Urban SmartKey.

Is building a new home complicated?

No, but it is an involved process. At Urban Homes, we’ve put systems and process in place which allow for a high degree of communication between everyone involved in building your dream home. This streamlining of the build process makes for a very structured and low-stress experience and enables you to take ownership of your build journey and enjoy it along the way.

What are some advantages of building a house rather than buying a house?

  • Your plan can be designed to meet your family’s specific requirements and your own style and needs.
  • The specifications and inclusions can be tailored to suit your style and personality.
  • New homes are warmer, drier, healthier and more energy efficient
  • Everything is brand new and often has extensive warranties
  • When building a new home, you’re not taking on any potential issues that the previous owners may not have disclosed to either the real estate agent or during the builder’s inspection. In other words, you’re starting from a clean slate!
  • You can choose products for your new home that will require very little maintenance.
  • There is potential for an immediate capital gain to be made on completion of your home.

If you have any other questions or wish to take the next step towards building a house in Hamilton or Waikato for the first time, contact our sales team for a free, no-obligation discussion.