Our process · Hamilton & the Waikato
How We Build Your New Home, Step by Step
Seven clear steps from your first conversation to handing over the keys, with a fixed price before construction starts and the owners, Clint and Eoin, with you the whole way.
Building Your Dream Home.
Or call Eoin on 020 4008 7895
The 7 steps
Free discovery chat
Talk to Clint or Eoin about your budget, timeframe and the home you have in mind. We'll answer your questions, explain how the process works and give you our Guide to Purchasing with MH Builders. There's no cost and no obligation.
Secure your section and Scheme Plan Deposit
You sign the sale and purchase agreement for your land, whether it's in one of our estates or from any other seller. We present a Build Proposal, and you sign our Scheme Plan Deposit letter. The deposit comes off your Fixed Price Proposal later.
Concept design
You meet with New Vision Architecture to work through bedrooms, storeys, garaging, bathrooms, size and living areas. You then review the concept plan with us and approve it before anything is priced.
Fixed price proposal and contract
New Vision prepares the Pricing Set of Plans and we give you a Fixed Price Construction Proposal based on our standard specifications, with no estimates. Once you accept it, you sign the Master Builders Agreement and we lodge your Master Build 10-Year Guarantee application. Working drawings and the Council building consent follow, which usually takes 4 to 5 weeks.
Choose your finishes
You have consultations with Yellowfox interior design (including wardrobe design with Designer Homeware), MIL Joinery for your aluminium joinery selections, and Mastercraft Kitchens. Appliances are chosen at the Yellowfox consultation. Any price changes from your selections are shown to you to approve first.
Construction
Building usually takes 4 to 7 months, depending on the size and complexity of your home. We're on site every week and send you a Friday update with progress photos, so you always know where things are at. Payments follow the milestones in your Master Builders Agreement.
Handover
Once your home passes its final checks, we apply for the Code of Compliance, walk you through your new home and hand over your keys with your maintenance guide and warranty information. Your Master Build 10-Year Guarantee is then activated.
The local team behind your home
We work with the same trusted Waikato designers and suppliers on every home.
Common questions
How long does the whole process take?
It depends on your design, your section and Council timeframes. As a guide, construction usually takes 4 to 7 months once consent is approved. We'll give you an indicative timeline once your concept is agreed.
Is the price really fixed?
Yes. Your build is under a fixed-price Master Builders Agreement based on the agreed plans, specifications and scope. Anything outside that, such as a change you ask for, is shown to you and agreed before we go ahead.
Do I have to buy a section from MH Builders?
No. You can buy your section from one of our estates or from any other seller. The process is the same either way, and we can also build on land you already own.
Who will I deal with?
Clint James and Eoin Fitzpatrick, the Directors of MH Builders, from your first conversation through to handover.
★★★★★
“We agreed to a price before the build began and they stuck to it, which gave us peace of mind and eliminated any stress about unexpected costs. The project stayed on track and even finished ahead of schedule.”
Ready to take the first step?
Book a free discovery chat, or call Clint or Eoin directly.
The Master Build 10-Year Guarantee is subject to application, eligibility and approval. Timeframes are a guide and depend on your design, section and Council.
PROCESS
Like to Get Ahead of the Queue & Save 6 Months?
Complete the Design and Foundations Process Now, & Eliminate Build Costs Further Increasing Over Time
If you’d like to hit the ground running as soon as your finance is confirmed, we can start designing and costing your new home today so you can review the details with your bank to attain finance approval, and be in control as to what builder you want to work with once the plans and specifications are derived.
Via our MH Builders Design and Estimate Service we will define your plans and specifications to determine a fixed price quotation, which you can take to your bank to seek finance approval. What’s more, the Preliminary Agreement costs will be credited from the Fixed Price quotation.
Here’s the exact steps involved:
1
Preliminary Agreement Signed
Agree and sign a Preliminary Services Agreement detailing the costs of completing: Concept plans, pricing set of plans, quotation and specifications document.
2
Concept with Pricing Estimate
You get concept plans to review following the initial Concept Design discussion, along with a high-level estimation of your build cost. Review the initial concept plans and make changes as necessary. See how the house will sit on your land. Start to visualise. Check the estimate is within your budget before proceeding.
3
Design Consultation
Work with our dedicated Interior Designer to select external and internal colours, appliances, lighting and flooring that reflect your style.
4
Quote & Specifications
Once the concept plan has been finalised we can start work on the Construction set of plans. A full set of working drawings typically take 4 weeks to complete. During this process the architect will work with engineers (e.g. for floor, truss, or retaining wall designs, or with geotech engineers for land information). Any further structural, drainage, or geotech reports requested by Council are undertaken at this stage.
Following completion of the Construction set of plans, a Quote and Specifications document is prepared and presented to check that your budget will not be compromised. The Quotation details exactly what is included in your project price, including any provisional sums.
Take the time to check the Specifications are exactly as you want them – if not, now is the time to make changes. Often this part of the process will involve further consultation to change or refine some of the details of your home, be that floor plan tweaks or specification amendments.
Like to know more? Then Book in a Discovery Session with Clint (the owner) who will answer your questions, and provide information to help you get ahead of the queue and eliminate build costs further increasing over time. It is completely free and without obligation.
If you are happy to proceed with your build, the following steps would then be completed for you:
5
Purchase Section
Agree & sign Auckland District Law Society sale & purchase agreement for the section. The deposit is payable on signing, and the balance on settlement/time of title.
6
Building Contract and Consent
Upon accepting the Quote and Specifications, and approving your plans, a Master Builders build contract is prepared for you to agree & sign.
This contract acts as the legal agreement between you and MH Builders. It outlines standard milestone payments that need to be made on retrospective work so you never pay for any work not completed. At the point of contract signing, you will be asked to make a deposit on your home.
Once the contract is signed and deposit paid, the plans are submitted to Council for approval, which usually takes a further 4 - 5 weeks.
7
Construction
Construction begins as soon as we receive confirmation back from our suppliers and sub-contractors as to their resource availability. Depending on the size and complexity of your project, homes can be completed in as little as 4 months construction time or up to 6 - 7 months.
During construction you will receive updates by our team to keep you informed every step of the way. This includes updates on meeting the council consent inspection requirements to ensure your build complies with all Building Code requirements.
Our payment plan reflects the Master Builders contract with staged payments based on project milestones throughout the construction of your new home.
8
HAND OVER
Once construction is completed and signed off, MH Builders formalizes the ‘Practical Completion’ and a Code of Compliance application is submitted. You will then be advised when you can move into your home. The best part – handing over the keys to your new home. As part of the handover service, clients are given a pack which includes a copy of your plans, colour selections, product and warranty information, and key contact information.
