Selwyn Times: October 24, 2018

2
[Edition datE]
15
BUILDING
a new home
So you’ve decided to build a new home. Before you dive in
boots and all, there are a number of steps that need to be
followed. Cover all the bases when building a home…
STEP 1: FINANCE
Firstly it is important to organise your
finances in advance in order to work out
what you can realistically afford. There
is little point getting excited about an
impending building project if you have
no idea how far your finances will stretch.
Draw up a realistic budget of your present
household expenses to see whether
building a new home is in fact feasible.
Once you have an idea of how much money
you are able to outlay, without causing
yourself excessive hardship, it is time to
start investigating the costs involved when
constructing your new home.
STEP 2: PURCHASING A SECTION
Buying the right section is an essential
part of the building process and as such
there are a number of important things
that need to be considered.
Is the section close to all necessary
amenities, such as schools, shops, hospitals
and public transport? Does it have a view,
plenty of sun, privacy and good drainage
or is it prone to flooding, windy and miles
away from civilisation? Visit at different
times of the day, in different weather
conditions and if time is on your side,
different times of the year to see how much
sun it gets in the winter when the sun is at
its lowest.
Also take into consideration its potential
as a building site – is access difficult? This
could have an impact on building costs.
Find out from your local council what
services, such as water, sewage, power,
phone and gas, are connected to the site.
Check whether there is good television
and mobile phone reception, or whether
your new address means you have to
scale the clothesline and hold your phone
in an obscure position just to send a text
message.
The neighbourhood can also be a
contentious issue when purchasing a
section. What are the neighbours like
and are their properties well kept? Are
there overhanging trees that could cause a
nuisance? Could there be a noise problem
from them or their pets? Get a feel for the
area, listening for traffic, animals or noisy
machinery that is in use around the clock.
If there is vacant land adjacent to your
proposed site find out whether the council
has any plans for it and what can and can’t
be built there.
Before buying the section, you also need
to find out what is in your council’s district
plan, and what resource consents you
might need. You also need to request a LIM
report, which is held by your local council
and outlines all information pertaining to
your section regarding rates, land features,
environmental issues, restrictions on land
or building use, resource consents issued,
potential contaminations, details about
septic tanks, hazardous substances and
storm water or sewerage drains.
The report may also contain information
about sacred areas and may provide aerial
photographs. This information may help
you make the all important decision to
either buy the section or leave it alone.
It will also give you an indication as to
whether the purchase price is fair.
STEP 3: CHOOSE AND BRIEF THE
DESIGNER
Before deciding on a designer for your
building project, it is necessary to conduct
some research in order to find out which
type will suit you best.
Speak to a few before making your
choice and liaise with them periodically
once work on the design of your home has
commenced. Get involved by gathering
ideas for materials, fixtures and fittings
and discuss them with your designer.
STEP 4: FINDING A BUILDER
Once the plans are drawn, the materials
have been chosen, and your finance is
arranged, the next step in the building
process is likely to be finding a builder.
Hiring the right builder is crucial to the
whole building experience. People who
have been involved in building a house
typically report that the key factor in
making it a happy experience is finding
a good builder and subcontractors.
The most common things that soured
their building experience were poor
workmanship, contractors not turning
up, no communication, complaints
overlooked, problems left unresolved,
messages ignored and delays. However,
in contrast, people who had positive
experiences reported that the builders
they had hired were highly skilled, honest,
knowledgeable, patient and sympathetic to
their goals and budget.
jll.co.nz
2 St John Street, Southbridge
– ‘As is where is’
– Ex fire station
– Land area 665sqm
– Building size 179sqm plus double garage
– Zoned Living 1
– Originally constructed in 1957
– Invest, develop or occupy
For Sale by Open Tender
Closing 7 Nov 2018 at 4pm
Chris Harding
021 353 813
chris.harding@ap.jll.com
property.jll.nz/9929
Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)
Christchurch 03 375 6600