Wellington, Wairarapa’s supreme homes revealed

Homebuyers have been given a compelling argument to choose a new build over major renovations, with the latest Registered Master Builder House of the Year results, according to one expert.

Richard Gough, general manager of industry authority Future-Proof Building says several top accolades awarded to new homes in the $350,000 to $450,000 bracket of the prestigious awards prove that homeowners do not need to build a million-dollar mansion to have a supreme home built with craftsmanship. That opens up exciting opportunities for people who might have thought a quality new home was out of their budget, he says.

“These results show that you can get a quality family home at an affordable price – a fixed price with a 10-year guarantee. Compare that to a major renovation that is difficult to get a fixed price for because you are not really sure about the scale of the job until you open up the house, and the result is half an old house and half a new one that will need more work in the foreseeable future.”

The last of the 11 Registered Master Builders House of the Year regional awards were announced last week across New Zealand. The awards are categorised by build costs only, and do not include the land. That the more affordable supreme award winners come from outside major cities – Mid/South Canterbury, Waikato and Manawatu/Wanganui – does not negate the same standard applying in metropolitan areas, Mr Gough says.

He suggests people should look to buy sections in greenfield sites, or a less pristine property where house removal is an option.

“Find the right land and you can be far better off. Either purchase a section, or buy a property and have the house taken away. Often house removers will pay to take it. I don’t know why more people don’t consider doing it,” Mr Gough says.

A new home in Masterton and a renovation in Khandallah have been named this year’s finest Wellington and Wairarapa homes, winning supreme awards in the Wellington and Wairarapa Registered Master Builders 2014 House of the Year.

Design Builders (Wairarapa) took out four regional awards, including a Gold Award and category win for the James Hardie New Homes $450,000-600,000, the Craftsmanship Award and the Supreme Award for the Wellington and Wairarapa Registered Master Builders 2014 House of the Year. Plan It Construction was awarded the Supreme Award for the Wellington and Wairarapa Registered Master Builders 2014 Renovation of the Year, as well as the Outdoor Living Award and a Gold Award and category win for the ITM Renovation Award $250,000 - $500,000. The company also won a Silver Award and the Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award for another entry in Mt Victoria.

Design Builders (Wairarapa)’s winning home impressed judges, who praised the builder for a well-tailored response to his client’s brief. “The builder went to great lengths to suit the home to the owner’s lifestyle, working closely with the homeowner to integrate their personality throughout,” they said. The judges called Plan It Construction’s winning build an immaculate renovation on an extremely difficult site. “This was a building with historical significance to Wellington, and the builder was tasked with matching up all weatherboards, details and skirtings as per the original build,” they said.

 “The builder overcame a number of challenges, including a steep site with restricted access and a large excavation to create a seamless addition to a historically important building. Built with accuracy and precision, the builder has fully carried out his client’s wishes.”

National category winners and the Registered Master Builders Supreme Awards for Renovation of the Year and House of the Year will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland in November.