Build or renovate - tough choice

Renovating or building new can depend on cost and how much you desire modern comforts. Photo / Supplied

Building a new home or undertaking a major renovation throws up a lot of questions.

We put some of those key questions to Martin Wiltshire, of David Reid Homes North Shore.

How do you price work?

With a host of preferred suppliers and a group of trusted contractors, David Reid Homes offers fixed price contracts on renovations and new builds.

As Martin explains: "We get as much of the job quoted as possible so we get surety of price. We try to get to the stage where we have only one or two items that are PC [provisional cost] sums and that is normally to do with the excavation because we don't know what's underground."

Why should I use David Reid Homes instead of an architect?

"We manage the whole process from the start of design to the completion of the build so we give customers greater efficiencies the longer we are involved with the build," says Martin. "We also do the administration side of things as a free service. So we do the resource consents, put permits together and liaise with the council to make it all happen free of charge - and that's something that could cost thousands of dollars."

Martin says the company can react quickly when clients want changes made to plans - saving time and money.

"The longer you're involved with a project, the better you understand the plans and the better you understand the client," says Martin.

How do I know what sort of work David Reid Homes will achieve?

"We encourage people to have a good look at houses we've built before and to talk to current and past customers," says Martin. "We're proud of what we do so we have no issues with showing people through homes we are building and having them talk to the existing customer.

"Referrals from our customers are our lifeblood so our product is our biggest and best marketing tool."

The pursuit of excellence is also a philosophy that is passed on to the company's contractors. "A lot of our contractors have worked with us for four or five years so they know the level of finish we are after."

Should I renovate or build new?

Martin says the company has no bias towards either renovation or building new but is happy to conduct a free site assessment and let people know what the various options are and what they cost.

He says it's important to get good advice before building a home or doing a major renovation.

"When we do a site visit, people are under no obligation - we just give them the information they need to make a decision," says Martin.

"We can advise them on whether to renovate or build new but, generally, if it's a $500,000 renovation it's better to start again.

"There's a lot more certainty around new builds. With renovations you don't know what's behind the walls and what's not on the plans."

Martins says apart from cost, the comforts of a modern home prompt people to build new rather than renovate.

Ask David Reid Homes

Readers are invited to ask David Reid Homes questions regarding the design-and-build process. Puzzled by an issue involved with planning a new home or a major renovation?
graham.hepburn@nzherald.co.nz