The first step in any building project usually involves one big question: "What will it cost?"
If you've searched online for "new home price list," you'll quickly discover a frustrating truth: truly accurate pricing is almost impossible to find on a brochure. While some builders quote a simple price per square metre, we choose a different path. We refuse to sell you a price that we know is inaccurate.
We opt for transparent, tailored pricing because a home's final cost is an intricate tapestry woven from hundreds of variables. Here is a breakdown of why a price must be customised for you, and what your final quote actually includes.
1. What a Comprehensive Quote INCLUDES (The Known Variables)
A misleading price list only covers the basics. A proper, comprehensive quote details every component of the house itself. These are the elements we meticulously itemise based on your selections:
The Build Specifications
This covers the structure's quality and ensures compliance. We detail:
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Structural Materials: The specific grade of timber, steel, or concrete used in the framing and foundation.
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Insulation & Cladding: The exact R-rating of the insulation (e.g., R5.2 ceiling insulation) and the specific type of cladding (e.g., cedar, weatherboard, or brick).
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Warranties and Guarantees: The inclusion of critical protection, such as the 10-Year Master Builder’s Guarantee, which offers cover for defects and non-completion long after the build is finished (Learn more about the Master Builder’s Guarantee*).
*Master Builder Guarantee via parent-company Laing Properties Ltd
The Fixtures and Finishes
This is often where the budget shifts dramatically. We price the actual items you choose, not a generic placeholder:
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Kitchen & Joinery: The full, itemised cost of your cabinetry, bench-top material, and the appliance package (cooktop, oven, etc.).
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Utilities & Comfort: The specific brand and capacity of the hot water cylinder, the type of heating or heat pump installed, and the quality of your electrical fittings and lighting.
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Floor Coverings: The difference between standard carpet and premium timber flooring is significant. We specify the exact type of flooring, tiling, and underlay throughout the home.
2. Why the Price MUST Be Tailored (The Unknown Variables)
Even with the house specification locked down, a significant percentage of your total project cost depends on the single most unpredictable factor: your land.
This is why we clearly list key items as Exclusions—costs you must budget for, but which cannot be accurately quoted until your site is assessed:
The Site-Specific Costs
These expenses vary dramatically based on the property's location and topography:
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Ground Conditions & Earthworks: Does your site require extensive excavation and levelling? Is the soil unstable, requiring complex engineered foundations or retaining walls? A Soil Bearing Test and topographic survey bring to light what is needed.
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Utility Connections: Your final quote for services depends entirely on your location. The cost of connecting power, water, and sewage in an urban area is wildly different from installing a Septic System, Water Tank, and Pump on a remote rural site. This is a major area of budget surprise if not addressed up front.
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Logistics & Access: If your build is modular, the cost of craning or bridging the house onto its final foundation, or securing specialized over-height escort permits for transport, is unique to your site's physical access and delivery route.
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Council Compliance Fees: While an allowance is made for the standard Building Consent, additional costs for Resource Consents or specific development contributions are determined by your local council and property zoning (Find more on what affects build costs in New Zealand).
The Bottom Line: Transparency Over Simplicity
We could easily publish a single, low price per square metre. But that price would be misleading, forcing you to pay for massive, unforeseen variations later.
By investing in a transparent, tailored specification, we ensure two things:
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The price for the house itself is reflective of your exact choices.
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The excluded site-specific costs are clearly identified, allowing you to budget for them correctly and avoid painful financial surprises.
Ready for a quote that is honest, comprehensive, and tailored to the unique piece of land you plan to build on? Let's start the conversation.