build advice

Deciding on a style of house for you and your family to build is no easy task. There are a lot of considerations and factors to weigh up when making a decision. At David Reid Homes we feel house plans are just the beginning of your journey to building your own custom, architecturally designed home. We encourage you to make the tweaks and modifications to these plans as you see fit for your family and lifestyle now, and in the future. In this blog, we take you through our various house plan ranges, which we hope will inspire and motivate you when you’re considering your dream home plan.

Is now the time to build Your New Home in New Zealand?

For many New Zealanders, the shift into Covid Alert Level 2 and the imminent move to Level 1 has seen a return to some sense of normality in our lives and routines, albeit that normality likely looks a little different to what it once did

During our recent Covid-19 Level 4 lockdown period there has been much discussion and opinion in the media around the impact on various components of our economy, as well as the economic impact on New Zealand.

The use of exposed concrete flooring has become an increasingly common choice in today’s homes. Concrete is often chosen for its aesthetic and architectural features as well as to benefit from increased thermal mass being exposed to the sun.

To achieve a sustainable home you need to consider your choices and options for everything. From construction materials to energy efficient appliances. Built to maximise sun, natural light and passive ventilation, sustainable homes tread lightly on the land, minimise toxins in the environment and provide homeowners with the benefits of a healthy, energy efficient home.

When designing your new home it is important to consider how energy efficient you would like it to be. Efficient homes are created by making informed decisions on construction methods, appliances, lighting and water. By taking advantage of the natural environment, designers can often include passive solar heating and cooling and energy efficient landscaping strategies.

Medium density housing and developments are no longer a prediction in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland where sections and houses that are being constructed in large numbers are becoming smaller and taller, in an attempt to create more affordable housing options for first home buyers and baby boomers in particular.

Your laundry is usually the last place you think of when designing or renovating a home. However it plays a big role in our day to day activities and therefore needs to be functional and unobtrusive.

New Zealand’s property rules have changed recently, making it harder to buy property to live in if you are not a New Zealand resident or citizen. These changes make it easier for New Zealand residents to secure property, removing the added competition from overseas buyers.