Wiz'n'Ton

Here's the plans - we are looking at the 5 bed + study 'showroom' house. Plan B is the 4 bed 'showroom' house if cost really becomes an issue. The 'brighton' house shows what big living areas you can have, and I just love the word 'rumpus'

Hope you can see these OK.

sky

That's kind of similar to our house plans but your's is much huger
Ours is only 190 sq mtr.

We're building on a ten acre lifestyle block and to get services 35 metres into the land cost us $1500. The phone, water and electric cables went to our boundry and we just decided how far away from the front of the block we could afford to go with our house. Not far as it happens cos we're on a very tight budget. The drive will be quite a few thousand to put in but don't know the exact price yet and that will have to wait until we get the house up and see how much money we have left to play with. We have a water tank on the block which was also already provided by the company who originally divided and fenced the lifestyle blocks where we are.
Our septic system etc should be around $13k
Planning was $3k but then the company dealing with our planning decided they wanted more detail on site levels (the land is as flat as a flat thing ) and more design drawings and test holes for the rain water soak aways so that cost us another $1000.
We have been given a budget allowance for each stage of our build and so far have only gone over by $100 on the kitchen. To keep it within the price the company originally quoted you have to go for a very limited range and if we chose the deluxe quality fittings and carpets we would definately blow the budget big time!
We are building in Waiamakariri district but our plans are being approved by a company in Nelson cos Waiamak council have a private company called PRIME dealing with all their planning permissions and they subcontract to other private companies if they can't cope.
Wiz are you in the Selwyn district, I heard they can be even pickier :curse:

It's all a big learning experience isn't it though and what a ride

GowHow

Just be careful if you borrow of in laws. Exchange rates come into the equation. If you borrowed £50,000 at current exchange rates ($2.80) you would get $140,000. If the rate went up to $3.00 (which it was not so long ago) you would have to earn an extra $10,000 to pay it back - assuming it was an interest free loan.

claireh1981

I say borrow - but to be honest, I dont think they would want us to pay them back. We are very lucky on that score.
From what I have read, it isnt surprising that most kiwi's struggle. If weren't bringing accross the good old pound we would be up the creek without a paddle!
Wiz - I really like the plans for your house, it looks huge!

phil01

Hi,
probably just saying what others have said...Yes it's do-able!

Our section in Northland cost us $160,000 but is only a smallish section and our house is costing $180,000, thats 4 bed, 2 bath...although we have only opted for a wood burner not a full heating system...if they exist.
Debbie

sky

I did have the name of a company in Christchurch that does central heating ... but we're just getting a wood burner like you and a heat transfer pump thingy that transfers nice warm air from where the wood burner is into all the bedrooms etc. We had one in our last house and it worked fabulously!
I didn't personally like the wood pellet or diesel fires as they don't throw out as much heat and also we get a lot of wood free so it's converted to free heat

Wiz'n'Ton

Still plenty big enough though. We are going for the size as a long term investment, as re-sale should be pretty massive within 10 yrs or so. We hope....!

Bugger! Just thought about that ourselves now you mention it. Better find out about that..... sounds like it could be pricey

We will stick a drive in as and when we can afford it, and the big pull of being on a residential site was the fact that we are on water, sewage and gas. $13k for a cess pit...

Sounds pricey, for what is essentially a planning excercise.

So have we! 3 months is 'Quick' and if you are doing anything out of the 'norm' then plan WAY ahead. They make the NZQA look like greased lightening!

It is certainly very exciting. We go through great highs about what we COULD have, and they great lows we we realise what we CAN afford.

Wiz'n'Ton

There are some pics of it somewhere as Canterbury homes have build the 4 bed version of the 'Showhome' as a... erm.... showhome, and we spend hrs every weekend there deciding on what we do and don't want!

I'll have a rummage and see if I can stick them up here.

Wiz'n'Ton

Sounds lovely! Convert that into ukp: 160k+180k= $340k / 2.8(ish) = 121.5k ukp. Show me anywhere in the UK where I can get a 4 bed, 2 bath, double garage, and rear and front garden, for 122,000 quid?!

This was one of the main reasons for our move.

That, and the pies <homer simpson> mmmmmMMMMMMmmmm piiiiiiiiiies </hs>

Wiz'n'Ton

We looked at a couple of options too, but having loved our central heating in the UK, and considering the cost differential of investing in it here (appx 5k more than a large gas or pellet fire + heat transferral system) we figured 'what the hell'.

There are a couple of companies that we've heard of. The one we are in the process of getting a quote from is http://www.abergas.co.nz/aber/easysh...p/Central1.asp We're also at an advantage as Rolleston is on reticulated gas, so no need for bottle deliveries etc. It can also have an air-con system retro-fitted if things get too hot in summer, but that may have to wait until we win the lottery!!

However, if you have all that free wood, then it would be rude not too - and the heat transfer thingies seem very popular and work well.

Good luck with it all, and keep us updated

Wiz'n'Ton

Here's pics of the 'showhome' house. Really nice open kitchen/ dining area, and a lovely lounge. Shame it doesn't come with all this furniture

Just found out that services from boundary to house are included in the price - phew!!

RobClubley

When you get the quotes can you share the costs please? We need to do something about our heating at some point (when we recover from paying for the insulation and painting) and the warm air system looks ideal.

Wiz'n'Ton

No worries - I'll let you know. The system does look good, and the guy who put us onto the firm is an independant chap who said he'd seen it running and it would entirely heat a house our size within 3 minutes(!). Absolutely chucked out the heat - sweet! Plus you can isolate the rooms you don't use with the controller, so you have the option to just heat the areas you are in.

Campbells

Gee, is that $460 k an all in cost, I mean if you are physically building it yourself have you allowed the cost of your time?

Friends of ours built their own home and it is a beautiful house and they did the steel- frame kit thing. They have photos of them building the house which they did as a team (mr & mrs), he’s a sparky which helps and they got someone in to do the gibing. Not sure what it cost them all in.

I tell you I don’t think there is many places in Auckland you can do that for $460k if any on a 2000 sq mtrs section.

Is the house you are going to build timber?

Property is the big thing in NZ and depending on location up here in boring old Auckland a brand new house like you are describing would go for probably $700k and upwards. As I say depending on the area.


Cheers

Wiz'n'Ton

Hi there. That $460k is a pessimistic, all in, job done, move in tomorrow cost. Built be certified builders, and complete with fitted kitchen + appliances, heat pump, central heating, double glazing etc etc. It's not too shabby at all is it?!

This is Christchurch though - completely different league to Auckland. It is a timber frame, with stud+gib board inner walls, with a brick external wall.

I don't reckon you are far out at all. One of the many reasons we gave Auckers a miss. One day, when I'm a millionaire, I'll give it a bash...