Building your dream home should be an exciting experience – not a stressful one. But when you’re juggling designers, builders, and tight timelines, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. At Design Builders, we change that narrative. Our complete custom home package is designed to make the journey to your dream home smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free.

With in-house architectural designers and trusted construction partners, we manage every aspect of your bespoke build under one roof – streamlining the process and giving you confidence from concept to completion. As Matt Corleison, Managing Partner (Taupo) explains, “At Design Builders, clients have the ease of one point of contact from start to finish and beyond.”

Here’s a step-by-step guide of what to expect when building a custom home with us.

Design brief:
The first step in our process is getting to know you – your lifestyle, your needs, and your vision for your future home. We don’t offer a catalogue of styles just so you can blend in with the rest of the neighbourhood. Instead, we take the time to understand your unique style and how you want to live, so we can design a home that’s truly yours.

We then work through the practical requirements, considering the flow between rooms, furniture placement, orientation to the sun and views, outdoor living, and parking. It’s a collaborative process that lays the foundation for the next steps.

Design and specifications: 
Next, we present a floor plan based on the initial design brief. Nothing is set in stone, though, and you have plenty of opportunity to change things around until everything is perfect. Once you’re happy, we move through to complete concept plans and renders so you can visualise your home in full. From here, the team records everything as specifications, and the design team works through more detailed design documents incorporating essential material selections to allow our contractors to compile pricing.

As Renee Woods, Registered Architect at Design Builders explains, “Right from the outset, the designers are working with the construction team, collaborating with the craftsmen who are going to bring the design to life for our clients. It’s a big advantage to discuss detailing and construction methodology while we’re in the early design stages. This streamlines the design process for all involved and can help control costs before we get too far into the project.”

There are also huge environmental benefits when building new. Thoughtful layouts maximise sun exposure, while high-performing windows and energy-efficient appliances reduce energy consumption and costs, saving you money over time. Modern homes are also designed for healthier living, free from toxic materials and built with superior insulation, creating a safer environment for you and your family.

Building a new home also offers the potential for long-term property value growth. Modern homes, built to higher standards with smart layouts and energy-efficient appliances, are highly appealing to buyers and often command higher prices. Additionally, new homes in developing areas tend to see greater value appreciation as local infrastructure, schools, and amenities improve, making these areas more attractive.

If you love your current neighbourhood, knocking down an old home and building a knock-out home on the same site is popular. You get the best of both worlds, a home you love, in a place you love.

Build contract:
With your plans and specifications taking shape, it’s time to lock everything in. We’ll present you with a detailed, itemised quote based on the latest drawings and specifications. Our team will walk you through each section, explain the details clearly, and answer any questions to ensure everything aligns with your expectations. Then, it’s time to sign the registered Master Builders contract so the technical team can start the council-ready working drawings.

Construction:
Once building consent is approved, it’s time to bring your home to life. While we take care of the paperwork, our team supports you through key selections – from paint colours and tiles to tapware and fittings.

Construction then gets underway, guided by detailed checklists at every major milestone. We carry out over 480 individual checks throughout the process. If something’s not quite right, we don’t gloss over it – we pause, fix it properly, and only move forward when the standard is met.

Support:
Now it’s time to make yourself at home. We continue to check in with you to see how everything is going for at least 12 months after the build is complete. You may have some questions about your new home, and we’re always here to support you.

Are you ready to get started on your custom home journey? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation chat.