About Us
Our Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve collated commonly asked building and investment questions to give you more information about building in New Zealand.
If you have a building question that is not answered here, get in touch via our Contact Us page or give us a call on 0800 4 FOWLER.
Why build with Fowlers?
How long will it take to build my home?
There are aspects from the builder and client’s side that can extend build timeframes, like material shortages, shipping delays, weather events and the characteristics of each home. The bigger the home, the longer it takes for the slab to be poured, framing and construction. Complexity can also influence time frames.
All our build projects are carefully managed to minimise delays as much as reasonably possible.
How much will it cost to build my home?
The cost to build your home will be dependent on many factors including, your location, your section, home design, building materials and the specific fittings and finishes you select.
Your Fowler Homes team can assist you to make your design selections with your specific budget in mind and will present you with a fixed price contact.
There may be provisions in the contract for items that can’t be fully quantified at the start of the job. An example could be earthworks.
Can I make changes once after the contract is signed and building starts?
Yes. Non-structural changes are usually no issue and can be achieved with a variation to the original contract.
Any variation to your original contract often means there will be additional costs to your build.
Some alterations, including structural changes, may require new plans to be drafted and approved by Council.
Do you provide design services?
What is included in the contract?
What guarantees are there?
Every Fowler Homes build comes with a 10-year Master Builders guarantee. A Master Build 10-Year Guarantee protects you through the building process, and for the next 10 years. It provides much greater protection than both the Building Act and Consumer Guarantees Act.
It protects you in the event of:
- Loss of deposit
- Non-completion of building
- Material, workmanship and structural defects
To find out more information on the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee refer to their website www.masterbuilder.org.nz
Fowler Homes has a 12-month building defect warranty period, effective from the completion date.
This covers you for defects that may become apparent after completion and the final inspection. Individual supplier warranties and guarantees will also be available.
How do you ensure quality construction?
Can I visit the building site?
We need to know who’s been where for health & safety reasons and to prevent any damage to works in progress.
Can we supply and/or install our own products in the home?
Products and services will need to be approved to ensure they meet the requirements of the building code and do not affect the build schedule.
Do you offer financing options?
Yes, in some regions we offer access to Fowler Homes Turnkey House & Land Packages, get in touch with your local Fowler Homes team to discuss these opportunities.
We can also facilitate lending directly through our partnership with the Auckland-based firm Squirrel.
Squirrel has been helping kiwis get into homes since 2008 and always offers impartial and honest mortgage advice.
We also work with YouOwn who offer a shared home ownership model. Read more.
Should I install Gas in my home?
Any gas appliance your purchase now you will be able to use for its expected lifestyle (typically 15 years). Most modern gas appliances are already able to run on a blend of natural gas and renewable hydrogen gas (up to 20%) or biogas, so you can continue to use them as our country adapts its energy mix to reduce emissions. Newer compatible appliances will become widely available as we move towards a more renewable gas energy future. Read more.
Can I buy and build a home with you even though I live overseas?
Yes, if you meet the requirements from the Overseas Investment Office.
You can buy or build a home in New Zealand without applying for consent if you, your partner (as defined in the Property (Relationships) Act 1976), or your spouse:
- are a New Zealand citizen (whether or not you live here)
- have a New Zealand residence class visa and are ordinarily resident in New Zealand
- are an Australian or Singaporean citizen, and buy a house or land that has a property category of ‘residential’ or ‘lifestyle’.
- are an Australian or Singaporean citizen and are ordinarily resident, and buy land that is ‘residential and otherwise sensitive’ (for example, Residential Land that is also sensitive because it is on an island, next to a beach or river, or next to a conservation area)
- are an Australian or Singaporean permanent resident and are ordinarily resident and buy land ‘that has a property category of ‘residential’ or ‘lifestyle.
If you have a residence class visa but you are not yet ‘ordinarily resident’, you can buy or build one home to live in as long as you get consent from the Overseas Investment Office before you buy.
You can apply for pre-approval that lasts up to a year. This is the most flexible form of consent and is recommended by the Overseas Investment Office.
To get more in-depth clarification on the requirements, head over to these resource links here and here
From first builds to dream homes, we've got your covered.
Contact our team today to set up a client meeting. It would be our pleasure to guide you through the exciting process of designing and building your new home or investment property.
