In this article, we outline the key contacts and contractors in the home building process, plustips on finding the right professionals for your build. Choosing Your Home Building Team There are plenty of people involved in building a new home, and if you haven’t built before it canbe tricky to see where everyone fits in. Here’s a quick overview of your core building team: thekey people you’ll work with throughout the build process. We’ve also included some tips onfinding the right professionals for your project. Your Lawyer There’s plenty for your lawyer to do during the home building process, from explaining land memorandums to reviewing contracts. It’s best to engage your lawyer right at the start of the process, before you’ve even chosen your section. Some sections have specific building requirements, and a good lawyer can decipher any conditions that apply to the section you’re considering. You don’t want to end up purchasing land that comes with hidden costs, or isn’t suitable for the home you have in mind! Your lawyer will also review the purchase agreement, check over your build contracts, and make sure you’re legally protected and set up for a great project. So what should you look for when you’re choosing a lawyer? You’ll need someone you can trust, who communicates quickly and takes the time to explain things in language that makes it easy to understand. Your Mortgage Broker We generally suggest that first home builders use a mortgage broker. Brokers can access finance from all of the major lenders, unlocking interest rates and loan structures that you may not be able to find elsewhere (or may not get directly from the bank). As well as getting you the right rate, mortgage brokers are helpful as they know the ins and outs of KiwiSaver and can find out if you’re eligible for the HomeStart Grant. Mortgage brokers also apply for finance to on your behalf, which is a major time-saver! You can spend your time out looking for sections, not filling out loan application paperwork. Your Home Designer Your designer is responsible for creating a house plan that makes the most of your section, meets building codes, and - most importantly - will be a home you’ll love to live in! Fortified Homes offers a complete Design & Build service, so you can work directly with the house designer and have a seamless transition into the build process. Our expert design team can adapt one of our existing plans, or start from scratch to come up with something new. It’s important to give your designer as much information as you can, so they have a clear understanding of your budget, and can see what’s in your ‘mind’s eye’ for your finished home. When you’re planning your design, think about how you’ll be using the space in day-to-day life. Are you a keen cook who needs plenty of kitchen space and storage, or would you rather have a roomier lounge for entertaining? If you’re a lover of backyard BBQs, is your deck designed to soak up the afternoon sun? Even small things - like the material used in your kitchen bench or your choice of tapware - can have a significant impact on the look and feel of your finished home. Our team can take you through the options and make sure you end up with a plan that suits your lifestyle and budget. Once you’ve briefed your designer, they’ll create a customised plan before taking you through the design in detail to make sure everything is covered. Your Builder Your builder is the most crucial person in your home build process - and we’re not just saying that because we’re builders! It’s the builder’s job to deliver a high-quality home, to schedule and on budget. Many builders (including Fortified Homes) will also project manage the build for you, so you have a single point of contact and can trust that everything is taken care of. As well as completing the build and managing the construction process, your builder will provide a contract, plan, and timeline for you to take to your lawyer and your mortgage broker. Your first home is a major project and represents a significant time and cost investment, so you need to be confident that you’re working with a capable, experienced team. When you’re choosing a builder, look for someone you’re comfortable with and can easily chat to - you’ll be talking to them a lot during the build process. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions, and ask if you can see some of their previous builds or current projects. We’ve outlined some questions to ask your builder in this previous article. Once the build is underway, you’ll receive regular progress updates from your builder; they’ll be your main point of contact to make sure everything is on track. Again, it’s essential that you feel comfortable asking your builder questions: they’re the one building the house, but it’ll be your home. Behind-the-scenes There are plenty of other people involved in your project - even if you don’t get to meet them! Your builder will spend time talking to the team at your local Council, making sure your plans are approved and securing a Code of Compliance once your build is complete. During your build, your builder will also organise a small army of subcontractors. They’ll need specialised teams of tradies for all sorts of jobs, from laying the foundation right through to putting on the downpipes. Fortified Homes has a regular group of ‘tried and true’ subcontractors that we use on all our builds. They’re local, reliable teams that we can trust to get the job done to a high standard.

In this article, we outline the key contacts and contractors in the home building process, plustips on finding the right professionals for your build. Choosing Your Home Building Team There are plenty of people involved in building a new home, and if you haven’t built before it canbe tricky to see where everyone fits in. Here’s a quick overview of your core building team: thekey people you’ll work with throughout the build process. We’ve also included some tips onfinding the right professionals for your project. Your Lawyer There’s plenty for your lawyer to do during the home building process, from explaining land memorandums to reviewing contracts. It’s best to engage your lawyer right at the start of the process, before you’ve even chosen your section. Some sections have specific building requirements, and a good lawyer can decipher any conditions that apply to the section you’re considering. You don’t want to end up purchasing land that comes with hidden costs, or isn’t suitable for the home you have in mind! Your lawyer will also review the purchase agreement, check over your build contracts, and make sure you’re legally protected and set up for a great project. So what should you look for when you’re choosing a lawyer? You’ll need someone you can trust, who communicates quickly and takes the time to explain things in language that makes it easy to understand. Your Mortgage Broker We generally suggest that first home builders use a mortgage broker. Brokers can access finance from all of the major lenders, unlocking interest rates and loan structures that you may not be able to find elsewhere (or may not get directly from the bank). As well as getting you the right rate, mortgage brokers are helpful as they know the ins and outs of KiwiSaver and can find out if you’re eligible for the HomeStart Grant. Mortgage brokers also apply for finance to on your behalf, which is a major time-saver! You can spend your time out looking for sections, not filling out loan application paperwork. Your Home Designer Your designer is responsible for creating a house plan that makes the most of your section, meets building codes, and - most importantly - will be a home you’ll love to live in! Fortified Homes offers a complete Design & Build service, so you can work directly with the house designer and have a seamless transition into the build process. Our expert design team can adapt one of our existing plans, or start from scratch to come up with something new. It’s important to give your designer as much information as you can, so they have a clear understanding of your budget, and can see what’s in your ‘mind’s eye’ for your finished home. When you’re planning your design, think about how you’ll be using the space in day-to-day life. Are you a keen cook who needs plenty of kitchen space and storage, or would you rather have a roomier lounge for entertaining? If you’re a lover of backyard BBQs, is your deck designed to soak up the afternoon sun? Even small things - like the material used in your kitchen bench or your choice of tapware - can have a significant impact on the look and feel of your finished home. Our team can take you through the options and make sure you end up with a plan that suits your lifestyle and budget. Once you’ve briefed your designer, they’ll create a customised plan before taking you through the design in detail to make sure everything is covered. Your Builder Your builder is the most crucial person in your home build process - and we’re not just saying that because we’re builders! It’s the builder’s job to deliver a high-quality home, to schedule and on budget. Many builders (including Fortified Homes) will also project manage the build for you, so you have a single point of contact and can trust that everything is taken care of. As well as completing the build and managing the construction process, your builder will provide a contract, plan, and timeline for you to take to your lawyer and your mortgage broker. Your first home is a major project and represents a significant time and cost investment, so you need to be confident that you’re working with a capable, experienced team. When you’re choosing a builder, look for someone you’re comfortable with and can easily chat to - you’ll be talking to them a lot during the build process. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions, and ask if you can see some of their previous builds or current projects. We’ve outlined some questions to ask your builder in this previous article. Once the build is underway, you’ll receive regular progress updates from your builder; they’ll be your main point of contact to make sure everything is on track. Again, it’s essential that you feel comfortable asking your builder questions: they’re the one building the house, but it’ll be your home. Behind-the-scenes There are plenty of other people involved in your project - even if you don’t get to meet them! Your builder will spend time talking to the team at your local Council, making sure your plans are approved and securing a Code of Compliance once your build is complete. During your build, your builder will also organise a small army of subcontractors. They’ll need specialised teams of tradies for all sorts of jobs, from laying the foundation right through to putting on the downpipes. Fortified Homes has a regular group of ‘tried and true’ subcontractors that we use on all our builds. They’re local, reliable teams that we can trust to get the job done to a high standard.

In this article, we outline the key contacts and contractors in the home building process, plustips on finding the right professionals for your build. Choosing Your Home Building Team There are plenty of people involved in building a new home, and if you haven’t built before it canbe tricky to see where everyone fits in. Here’s a quick overview of your core building team: thekey people you’ll work with throughout the build process. We’ve also included some tips onfinding the right professionals for your project. Your Lawyer There’s plenty for your lawyer to do during the home building process, from explaining land memorandums to reviewing contracts. It’s best to engage your lawyer right at the start of the process, before you’ve even chosen your section. Some sections have specific building requirements, and a good lawyer can decipher any conditions that apply to the section you’re considering. You don’t want to end up purchasing land that comes with hidden costs, or isn’t suitable for the home you have in mind! Your lawyer will also review the purchase agreement, check over your build contracts, and make sure you’re legally protected and set up for a great project. So what should you look for when you’re choosing a lawyer? You’ll need someone you can trust, who communicates quickly and takes the time to explain things in language that makes it easy to understand. Your Mortgage Broker We generally suggest that first home builders use a mortgage broker. Brokers can access finance from all of the major lenders, unlocking interest rates and loan structures that you may not be able to find elsewhere (or may not get directly from the bank). As well as getting you the right rate, mortgage brokers are helpful as they know the ins and outs of KiwiSaver and can find out if you’re eligible for the HomeStart Grant. Mortgage brokers also apply for finance to on your behalf, which is a major time-saver! You can spend your time out looking for sections, not filling out loan application paperwork. Your Home Designer Your designer is responsible for creating a house plan that makes the most of your section, meets building codes, and - most importantly - will be a home you’ll love to live in! Fortified Homes offers a complete Design & Build service, so you can work directly with the house designer and have a seamless transition into the build process. Our expert design team can adapt one of our existing plans, or start from scratch to come up with something new. It’s important to give your designer as much information as you can, so they have a clear understanding of your budget, and can see what’s in your ‘mind’s eye’ for your finished home. When you’re planning your design, think about how you’ll be using the space in day-to-day life. Are you a keen cook who needs plenty of kitchen space and storage, or would you rather have a roomier lounge for entertaining? If you’re a lover of backyard BBQs, is your deck designed to soak up the afternoon sun? Even small things - like the material used in your kitchen bench or your choice of tapware - can have a significant impact on the look and feel of your finished home. Our team can take you through the options and make sure you end up with a plan that suits your lifestyle and budget. Once you’ve briefed your designer, they’ll create a customised plan before taking you through the design in detail to make sure everything is covered. Your Builder Your builder is the most crucial person in your home build process - and we’re not just saying that because we’re builders! It’s the builder’s job to deliver a high-quality home, to schedule and on budget. Many builders (including Fortified Homes) will also project manage the build for you, so you have a single point of contact and can trust that everything is taken care of. As well as completing the build and managing the construction process, your builder will provide a contract, plan, and timeline for you to take to your lawyer and your mortgage broker. Your first home is a major project and represents a significant time and cost investment, so you need to be confident that you’re working with a capable, experienced team. When you’re choosing a builder, look for someone you’re comfortable with and can easily chat to - you’ll be talking to them a lot during the build process. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions, and ask if you can see some of their previous builds or current projects. We’ve outlined some questions to ask your builder in this previous article. Once the build is underway, you’ll receive regular progress updates from your builder; they’ll be your main point of contact to make sure everything is on track. Again, it’s essential that you feel comfortable asking your builder questions: they’re the one building the house, but it’ll be your home. Behind-the-scenes There are plenty of other people involved in your project - even if you don’t get to meet them! Your builder will spend time talking to the team at your local Council, making sure your plans are approved and securing a Code of Compliance once your build is complete. During your build, your builder will also organise a small army of subcontractors. They’ll need specialised teams of tradies for all sorts of jobs, from laying the foundation right through to putting on the downpipes. Fortified Homes has a regular group of ‘tried and true’ subcontractors that we use on all our builds. They’re local, reliable teams that we can trust to get the job done to a high standard.