Thinking of building a new home in New Zealand?

It's an exciting journey, but how long does it actually take?

The Quick Answer:

For a standard-sized, simply designed home, expect construction to take roughly 8-12 months, not including design and consenting processes.

A More Detailed Look:

The actual timeframe can vary depending on several factors. This blog sets out the different stages of construction in New Zealand and provides a general timeline for building your dream home.

Building Stages: From Dream to Foundation

The journey from a dreaming about your new home to laying the foundation can be broken down into two main stages:

Pre-Construction & Site Preparation.

~ Pre-Construction (6 Months): This stage lays the groundwork for your dream home. It involves visiting the site, designing your house, and obtaining necessary approvals. Expect this phase to take around 6 months, with 6 weeks dedicated to securing building consent from the council. During this time, our team (including engineers, planners, and surveyors) will collaborate with you to create your vision.

~ Site Preparation (2-4 Weeks): The prep work for building your foundation depends on your property's characteristics. Sites with slopes or requiring retaining walls may take longer (up to 4 weeks) compared to flat, straightforward plots (closer to 2 weeks). This stage involves bringing in any necessary materials like fill dirt before foundation work begins.

Building Stages: Foundation and Framing

~ Building the Foundation (4-5 Weeks)

The time needed for this stage depends on several factors:

Site Conditions: The size and slope of your property play a role.

Foundation Complexity: More intricate foundation engineering takes longer.

Foundation Type: Different foundation types (e.g., concrete vs. timber) have varying construction times.

An additional note for two-story homes: the ground floor walls need to be built before the second story can begin.

~ Framing, Cladding & Roofing: Reaching Lockup (2-4 Months)

This exciting stage involves constructing the skeleton of your home, including walls, trusses (roof structure for pitched roofs), and rafters (for flat roofs). The materials used can be timber, timber byproducts, concrete, or concrete blocks.

Once complete, your house will be weatherproof and secure, with all exterior walls and cladding in place, a roof overhead, and doors and windows installed. This stage is often referred to as "lockup" because the house can now be locked to prevent unauthorised access.

Building Stages: Bringing Your Home to Life

~ Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC (2-4 Weeks)

This stage involves installing the essential systems for your home's comfort and functionality: plumbing, electrical wiring, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). It's important to note that plumbers and electricians will visit the site throughout construction to complete different phases, like "pre-wire" where electrical wiring is installed in walls and ceilings before drywall goes up.

~ Interior Finishing (4-5 Weeks)

This exciting phase transforms the framed structure into a beautiful living space. The duration depends on the size of your home and the materials you choose. 

Here's what to expect:

*  Installation of drywall (GIB) or timber sarking on walls and ceilings

*  Laying floor coverings like tiles, timber overlay flooring, or carpet

*  Kitchen and bathroom installation

*  Laundry room setup

*  Final fit-off by plumbers and electricians to install your chosen fixtures

~ Exterior Finishing (4-6 Weeks, Runs Alongside Interior Work)

While the magic of creating your living space unfolds inside, the outside gets its final touches too! 

This stage can be influenced by weather conditions. 

Here's what's included:

Applying the finishing touches: This involves painting or plastering the exterior walls of your house.

Lighting and accents: Installation of exterior lights and any other special features you've chosen for the facade.

Building Stages: Final Touches and Move-In

~ Final Inspections and Landscaping (1-2 Months)

The home stretch! This stage involves two key activities that can happen somewhat concurrently.

Inspections (1-2 Months): Local authorities will perform final inspections to ensure your home meets all building codes and regulations.

Landscaping (Varies): While inspections take place, you can tackle landscaping projects like driveways, paths, and planting to beautify your property's exterior.

Once you receive the Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC) signifying your home's compliance, it's finally time to move in and enjoy your dream space!

Beyond the Basics: Additional Considerations

While we've covered the main stages of construction, there are other factors that can influence the overall timeline:

Council Inspections: Obtaining necessary approvals can add time to the process.

Weather: Unfavorable weather conditions may cause delays.

Material Availability: Supply chain issues can impact the availability of building materials.

Builder Availability: Finding a qualified builder with scheduling flexibility may require extra planning.

Building a custom home in New Zealand is a complex undertaking, involving thousands of parts and various specialists working together. The timeframe can range from 6 months for prefabricated homes to 2 years for larger, architecturally intricate designs or those built on challenging sites.

The key to a smooth and successful build lies in collaboration. S.A.S Builders foster a strong working relationship between architects, quantity surveyors, project managers, and subcontractors like electricians and plumbers. Through careful planning and expert oversight, we can help ensure your dream home is constructed efficiently, according to your preferences, and ready for you to enjoy in beautiful New Zealand.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact S.A.S Builders today to discuss your project and embark on the exciting journey of building your dream home!