If you are looking to get the best result for your money and effort in your building project, then please read on.
Primesite believes that an informed client is a happy client. After more than two decades and many hundreds of successful housing projects we have learnt that the best policy is to educate our clients about the building process prior to them commencing. We see many building disasters and clients unfortunately falling for the same traps over and over when they naively enter into contracts that are weighted against them or build with builders for what works out to be the wrong reasons.

Consequently we have jointly developed a new home building seminar which is run monthly. In three hours you will be given an overview of the building process from concept through to trouble free completion. You will learn vital skills and will be empowered to make informed decisions over what for most, will be their biggest investment. To register for the next seminar: email: scondliffe@primesitehomes.co.nz
Read the comments below of what one of our seminar participants had to say.
"On Wednesday my husband Sala and I (and our 4yr old) attended the seminar Craig, Greg and yourself ran in Seaview. We just wanted to let you know that it was the most useful and thoroughly worthwhile seminar either of us have been to in years. It dispelled a lot of misconceptions we had about building and particularly the explanations of things given on a number of issues we had wondered about e.g. colour coding on timber, payment programming/ integrity, contracts, square metre logic, building near the sea, what we can expect from a builder and what they expect from us, what and how much it costs us through the council if we change a consented plan, laying floors etc. Very useful stuff"
There are four key areas that will have a huge impact on the potential success
of your building project.
1: Buying The Right Section
If you are considering building and wish to purchase a section always get a conditional contract for approximately 4 to 6 weeks. This will give you the time to determine if the home you wish to build can:-
1.
 Fit on the site
2.
 Be built to your budget
3.
 Discover if there are any costly issues associated with
the section: i.e. Drainage or foundation problems
If you purchase prior to knowing the above you could be left with a section that is only good for resale.
2: Budget
Determine your budget carefully before design, and take advice from a building professional. If your budget and your expectations do not match you could be wasting your time and money.
3: Design
Having a designer that can design to a budget is imperative to the success of your project. We would have a client a week who arrives at our offices with plans that have been prepared that are as much as $50 to $100 thousand dollars over budget. Avoid this by choosing wisely. Primesite can very accurately determine your budget pre-design.
4: Choosing the Right Builder
The Master Builders Federation conducted a survey to determine the three main concerns of someone looking to build.
1.
 The quality and integrity of their builder
2.
 Cost overruns
3.
 Timely completion
So how do you go about making the right choice?
Are all builders created equal?
Unfortunately anyone can call themselves a builder in NZ whether they are qualified or not.
It is buyer beware so do your homework.
What should you be looking for from your builder
Choose a registered Master Builder. He is a building professional who can give you a Master Build Guarantee. He is also a member of a professional builders organisation based on quality and integrity that has been in existence for over 100 years.
A minimum of 5 to 7 years is preferable.
It is important to choose a builder with a long and successful track record. Someone who you can reasonably expect will be around to honour their warranties.
A builder suited to your size and type of project.
Active in your area.
Supply you willingly with any number of referees.
Check Referees
Ask the following questions of the referees.
1.
 Were you listened to?
2.
 Was your builder punctual to meetings?
3.
 Did they do as they said they would?
4.
 Are you happy with the quality
5.
 Any issues and how they were dealt with?
6.
 Any cost overruns?
7.
 Was maintenance completed?
8.
 Would you use them again?
Don't be lulled by sweet talk and promises of cheap prices and unrealistic time frames. The risk is not worth it.
What Primesite Can Do For You
Free section and budget appraisal
Here we will accurately determine your budget, style and size of house prior to any drawing or commitment. We can do this because we have in house designers, quantity surveyors and builders who have vast knowledge & experience. We give certainty over design and construction costs at the stage where it really counts.
Primesite have a free booklet with eleven steps to help you choose the correct builder.
If you would like a copy email us on booklet@primesitehomes.co.nz