Buying a section

Building on an empty section is more complex than altering or renovating an existing house. It involves more paperwork and legal processes — whether you build from scratch or move a house onto the section.

Some legal processes to consider:

• land use restrictions
• district plan rules
• resource consents
• land surveys.

Buying a section and preparing to build on it

Building your home

Understand the stages of building a house before you get started, these include:

• organising consents
• monitoring construction
• making progress payments
• approving variations
• organising inspections
• getting a Code of Compliance.

Stages of the building process

Hire your team

Choose a project team who can help you build your home, for example an architect, builder and project manager, who can confidently meet Building Code requirements.

You’ll need a licensed professional builder to do certain work.

Choose your project team 

Building the house yourself

If you want to build your own house and you’re not a licensed builder, you have to:

• get an Owner-Builder Exemption
• know how to meet Building Code requirements
• apply for consents
• let your council know.

Owner-Builder Exemption

Your rights and responsibilities when building a house

Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities throughout the process. These include:

• when you need a written contract
• when your builder is required to give you a disclosure statement and standard checklist
• what to do if something goes wrong.

Homeowner rights and obligations