This year marks an exciting milestone for Design Builders Waikato – 15 years of creating one-of-a-kind homes and over 100 completed builds across the region. From rolling farmland outlooks to urban retreats, every home is a true reflection of its owner, thoughtfully designed and built from scratch.

At the heart of this success are the people – the clients who trusted us with their vision, and our team who bring that vision to life. Here’s a look back at our journey, and what our clients have to say about building with us.

A Collaborative Approach That Sets Us Apart
We’ve always believed that great homes start with great listening. Our process begins with understanding how our clients want to live — then designing and building a home that fits their lifestyle, land, and aspirations perfectly. It’s not about templates. It’s about tailoring every detail to the people who matter most: our clients.

As Managing Partner Jeff Marra explains:
“I’m a little bit of a romantic and believe that designing and building your own unique home should be one of those outstanding life experiences.”

That’s why we’re with you every step of the way – from your first conversation with us through to handing over the keys. It’s all about making the journey as enjoyable and rewarding as the finished home.

What Our Clients Say
We’re incredibly proud to share the words of just a few of our clients. Their stories are the best reflection of what makes building with Design Builders Waikato so special.

“We enjoyed our building experience with Design Builders and love our home which works so well for our family and our style of living. We provided our brief to the design team, and they worked with us to create a floor plan and style of home that works for us. Often a building project can be a stressful time, however our project manager provided clear timelines, consistent communication, and a proactive approach that kept everything on track. We have also been very impressed with their service after the project was completed.”

— Hamish & Kirstyn Ward, built in 2016

White and black rural house exterior with a pool

“As first-time home builders, our experience with Design Builders exceeded all expectations. The process was smooth and enjoyable from start to finish, with every question, planning session and modification managed seamlessly.

The team, led by Jeff, demonstrated exceptional professionalism, using high-quality materials and subcontractors, maintaining clear, consistent communication throughout. Even amid the challenges of COVID shutting the build down for a month, we felt truly heard and supported, and the team was working behind the scenes all of the time to ensure minimal delays once building started again.

The result is a beautiful home which we absolutely love, tailored perfectly to our family’s needs. We would not hesitate to build with Design Builders again.”

Will and Nichola Mouat, built in 2020

“Our journey with Design Builders first started when we met Jeff at the Fieldays. Three days after meeting Jeff, he had made contact and promptly made his way to see our site. On our initial meeting with Jeff, we knew that he was someone that we wanted to go on our building journey with. He was approachable, friendly, and very knowledgeable.

Jeff came out to see our site and could see what our vision was and what we wanted to create — and from there, our dream home became our reality. As our journey progressed, we worked with Jeff, his project manager, the interior designer, and the builders. All of the team were amazing to work with, and nothing was ever too much trouble or a problem.

We often hear people say that building a house is a stressful time, but for us it was easy and seamless — and we would definitely build with Design Builders again. Our home is a place that is warm, welcoming, and exactly what we envisioned.

Lance Phillips, built in 2023 

The build process went exceptionally well. We received continuous updates and Jeff, along with site manager Darryn, was always available to address our numerous queries. This level of communication made the entire experience stress-free. Our whole family loves our new home, and we often receive compliments from neighbours who say our house is their favourite in the area.

— Simon and Michelle Wilson, built in 2023 

The design process was very smooth and we worked together to quickly produce the design that suited our requirements. The build process was equally satisfying and any questions we had were answered and sorted out quickly. We have been very pleased with the whole process.

Steve and Teresa Chilcott, built in 2017 

Award winning rural home with an airplane garage
Shaded grey house

As first time new home builders, we were hesitant about embarking into the unknown, but Jeff and the team were amazing from start to finish and made this a stress-free experience for us. Their attention to detail, helpful suggestions, design flair and accommodating our requests for changes, provided us with a beautiful one-of-a-kind home, we’re extremely proud of.

Kim and Geoff Crawford, built in 2016 

Teamwork That Builds Trust
Behind every successful build is a close-knit team of experts – designers, builders, and project managers – who genuinely care. Our clients consistently tell us how much they appreciated our communication, transparency, and attention to detail throughout the process.

Looking Ahead
With more exciting projects already underway, the next 15 years look even brighter. We remain committed to the same values that have guided us from day one: listening, designing with purpose, and delivering homes that are as individual as our clients.

Thank You
“To every client who has built with us – thank you. You’ve helped shape not just homes, but a reputation we’re proud of.”

— Jeff Marra, Managing Partner, Design Builders Waikato