Cool Things to Add To Your New Home Build
A bathing station for the dog
People are passionate about their pets and if you’re building a custom home, you may want to include some extras for Fido. We suggest putting in a doggy bathing station in your garage, so when you get back in from a hike on the mountain, you can get your pup all cleaned up! If your dog is smaller, elevate the station so that you don’t have to bend down and crouch over your dog.
On-demand water heater
Never have a shower run cold again. With an on-demand hot water heater, you save space and you save energy because you are only heating water as you need it. This also means you can take long, luxurious showers without running out of warm water.
Independently controlled outdoor outlets
Few neighbourhoods know how to celebrate Christmas like. If you want to be a part of the revelry, build your home with outdoor receptacles beneath eaves and in various locations around your house. This will help eliminate the need for messy extension cords and you can wire them to switches in your home, so you can switch the lights on and off as you need. You can even go a step further and put them on a smart home automation system and control the outdoor lighting from your phone.
Dual kitchen workspaces
If your home is the gathering place for family and friends, you may want to consider dual work spaces in the kitchen, complete with sinks and garbage/recycling cans. It helps keep people out of your space while you’re working, or you and a friend can work at the same time without getting in each other’s way. It takes the separate beverage bar to a whole new level!
Jetted laundry sink
Washing delicate laundry can be a chore, but if you have a jetted laundry sink, you can just pop your laundry in.
How to Buy in New Construction
Buying “new construction” is a bit different from buying a previously-owned home. For one, because there is no previous homeowner, you don’t have to deal with a seller’s emotional tie to the property, which typically influences the negotiating process. Whether you’re designing and building a custom home or buying a home that’s built on spec in a new subdivision, you’ll only have to work with the builder.
As with buying a previously-owned home, you have to figure out your budget and secure financing before you even begin house hunting. Get pre-approved by a bank or mortgage lender. Decide how much money you want to invest in a new home. And don’t overlook the extras like property taxes, insurance, furniture, window treatments, landscaping costs and maintenance that can drain your bank account.
Weigh the Pros and Cons
Nothing beats the feeling of being the first person to live in a newly-built home. Everything is shiny and untouched.
Research Neighborhoods and Builders
When buying in a new subdivision, consider working with a buyer’s agent who knows the area well, can set up home tours and walk you through the closing process
Know What’s Standard and What’s Extra
Ask the builder about amenities and upgrades. Amenities are features that benefit the entire community like a clubhouse, health and fitness center or a gated entrance. Upgrades refer to added features or items you pay extra for to enhance your home, like certain types of flooring or appliances.
Before you get building work done
Coronavirus – if you’re having repairs or building work in your home
Plumbers, electricians and other traders can still come to your house to carry out repairs – as long as they don’t have any symptoms of coronavirus. They should try to stay 2 metres away from you and avoid any vulnerable people.
These steps should help you save time, money and stress when you’re preparing to get building work, renovations or repairs done on your home. They’ll also help you avoid problems with builders, plumbers or other contractors, eg decorators and electricians.
Check if you need permission or approval
You may have to get more than one kind of permission or approval before you go ahead with work on your home.
Always check if you need:
building regulations approval – you may need this even for small improvements, eg replacing windows or doors
planning permission – you usually need this to build something new or make a major change, eg an extension
If you have to get approval or permission
You may need to hire a surveyor or architect to help you apply for building regulations approval or planning permission. If you’d struggle to pay for this, visit your local Citizen’s Advice and ask about applying for the Chartered Surveyor’s Voluntary Service.
If you’re a leaseholder
Check your lease if you own the leasehold (not the freehold) on your home. You may have to get permission from the freeholder before work starts. If the lease says you can’t make changes, you can still ask the freeholder for permission. You may have to pay some costs.
Find Your Local Showhome
HOME BUILDERS YOU CAN TRUST
We are new home builders with years of experience building houses nationwide. We believe every Kiwi should be able to afford a new home and we work hard to make building your new home a possibility.
AFFORDABLE HOMES
If you have been searching for a home and never thought that building a house was within your budget, then browse our extensive range of house plans. We offer different build options, from Kitset Homes to a Full Build.
FIND YOUR LATITUDE HOMES BUILDER
Whether you prefer to buy a kitset home and take total charge of the construction process or would rather leave everything in our hands with the full build option, our experienced home builders will be there for you from day one. Good advice and support can be invaluable, especially during the first stages of the project.
Construction Tips and Other Ways to Save Big When Building a House
Buy a large lot with a friend or family member that can be split into two smaller lots. Some of the most appealing properties may be much larger than what you want or can afford, yet the seller may not be willing to break up a large parcel. So if you can share the cost with someone else (preferably someone you don’t mind having as a neighbor), you may be able to pick up a great building site for a reasonable price.
Consider a so-called problem lot — a hillside, narrow, or in-fill property. Generally, these types of lots are not as desirable as others, so they don’t sell as quickly and often go for a much lower price. With the right plan and a capable contractor, however, a potentially difficult lot might be perfect for your new home. Check out our house plans for Sloped Lot House Plans and House Plans for Narrow Lots
Choose a canal or bay lot instead of ocean or lakefront property if you must have a waterfront site. These choices are usually less expensive but still water accessible. Plus, they provide great protection against inclement weather. Browse our collection of Coastal or Lakefront (which don’t necessarily have to be built next to an “ocean” or “lake!”).
Buy low-maintenance building materials — vinyl or cementitious siding and metal roofing, for example. Even if they are somewhat more expensive at installation, they will pay for themselves in the long run as you won’t have to repair, replace, or repaint.
Collect salvaged materials from demolition sites. Old barnwood, used bricks, and distinctive wood doors add inexpensive character to a home without exorbitant cost. Many times you can have the materials at no cost, as long as you’re willing to haul them away. Just be sure to check first with the owner of the building being demolished.
Splurge only on those things you truly cannot live without. However, don’t skimp on structural components or doors and windows — for the safety and security of your home, you’ll want to purchase the best you can afford in these areas. In addition, certain features help determine the overall design and are worth making every effort to keep; for example: the board-and-batten siding and large black double hung windows of House Plan 430-156 (see plan image below) reinforce the design’s farmhouse character.