Top advice when building your dream home

Building a bespoke home is a very rewarding process. It’s not like buying a house off the plans – there is no standard specifications and there are a lot of detailed decisions to make. This is why you need a trusted advisor with plenty of industry experience to guide through the process.

At Maddren, all our design and build consultants are well equipped with industry knowledge and with years and years of experience helping clients build their dream homes. So, we asked them for their best advice and top tips.

What is your top advice for building a bespoke home?

Anthony: When you are planning to build, the big step is finding a site to build on. My advice is do not jump into choosing a site and going unconditional without a site check by the builder. It is better to get the site under conditional agreement and let us look at it with you, to discover the pros and cons of the site so you can make sure your budget is going to work for the project.

Ritchie: I agree 100%. Don’t finalise anything until you speak to one of us. We can help to work out a building proposal while the site is under conditional agreement. We’ve also got an expert team around us that can help from the very start to ensure you have the right professionals on board.

Dean: Yes, it is very important to do the homework and spend some time with us to evaluate and consider your options to make the best decision. Our proposal covers everything you need to know and our pricing includes every detail. I usually spend a few hours going through this with my clients.

Stuart: You also want to make sure you plan ahead where you are going to live while the house is being built. The design and build process is a long journey. This is just one of the forward-thinking decisions you need make. That’s why it is important to have an expert advisor like us helping.

Anthony: When you are designing your custom home there will be a lot of things you want to have in your home but most people have a limited budget. I think one of the most important things you can have is a detailed wish list that you can go through with your design and build consultant. As you get a clear idea of what the project is going to cost, you will be able to decide which items you really want to keep and which ones you can discard.

Dean: I think a clear design direction is important. This is the quality and style of the home you would like to live in. Functionality is another key must have – the long-term comfort and usability of your new home. These are things you need to consider at an early stage.

Ritchie: At a personal level, you should consider including features to suit your lifestyle and personality, and that varies from client to client. For instance, as a golfer, I would love to have a putting green, and I’d love a heat pump in the master bedroom.

Stuart: For the Auckland weather I always recommend my clients have a sheltered deck, otherwise you won’t have as much opportunity to use it. Also, it is always nice to have carpet installed in the garage, so you can utilise the space for different occasions. It feels good too, nice and cosy.

Aubree, Quantity Surveyor: A wood fireplace and a room with a big screen to watch movies.

Sean, Construction Manager: Soft closing cavity slider doors. We hear a lot of talk about doors banging shut or not quite parking correctly. Epoxy grout in the showers if it’s not already included.

Joan, Estimator: A good allowance for an organised wardrobe with extra shelves. Well-designed bathrooms with good interior finishing too.

Val, Quantity Surveyor: A separate scullery/pantry, ideally with a door backing onto the garage so you can unload shopping/groceries directly from your car. Also sensors to interior lights in areas of the house where these are appropriate.

Jacqui, Client and council liaison administrator: It would be lovely to have a small outdoor area to accommodate a vegetable planter box. A reading nook is a must have for me as I love reading.

Stephen, Quantity Surveyor: North facing view from bedroom and living, and a spa pool.

Nita, Brand Experience Manager: I have a self-cleaning oven and I cannot imagine living without it. A super quiet rangehood is crucial too; obviously I spent a lot of time in the kitchen!

Keegan, Director: If you have kids, you certainly need a kids’ lounge/playroom away from the living area and their bedroom.

Also, have a really cool and stylish WC to amaze friends. Friends only tend to go there and kitchen/living, so it’s great to have some WOW factors in these areas.

Rodger, General Manager (he has so many must haves, no wonder he has to keep building new homes!)

· Condenser dryer – no vents required

· Insulated garage door – much quieter

· Ducted air conditioning with fresh air exchange and zone control, as cooling in summer is now equally as important as heating in winter

· Extra height joinery – having a horizon in view makes the house feel bigger

· A big deck partially roofed over will be your cheapest living space

· First impressions are important, so an obvious front entry with wow factor upon entry

· A two-person shower in the ensuite is so helpful when in a hurry – one in ceiling for the guys, one slide rose for the ladies, or single person shower with two roses and diverter

· Utility area close to the kitchen, and an egress door close to kitchen and utility area, so putting rubbish and recycling in the bin is as convenient as possible, making life simpler, and good spot for the BBQ close to the kitchen helps too

About to build a new home? Remember to drop down your ‘must haves’ and discuss these with our design and build consultant to ensure they are not overlooked during the design process. Planning ahead is the key to success!

additional reading: What are Low E and Argon gas windows?