Keeping your house build on budget
Our 6 top tips for value engineering
In recent times New Zealand has seen the cost of building increase significantly. In the fallout of COVID, we didn’t have to look too far for stories of building material shortages and subsequent price hikes. The good news is prices have stabilised, and in some areas even started to reduce again.
We’re used to working with our clients to prioritise features for their home and come up with creative solutions within budget. Building a beautiful, bespoke home doesn't have to be an unachievable dream; with some value optimisation you can achieve the look and quality you want to realise your vision. Here are our top tips based on experience.
1. Involve your builder from the outset
When your builder is involved during the initial design phase they can sense-check the concept against budget, helping to ensure you stay on track and minimise costly changes further down the line. Builders can input with creative alternatives from their hands on experience, keeping your home as close to your vision as possible within budget. Architect and builder collaboration from the outset helps to streamline the process, avoiding delays and extra expenses, especially when dealing with consents.
2. Size matters
There’s a good reason why people talk about the cost per square metre in relation to building. Generally, the bigger the house is, the more it costs to build. While it’s important to design and build a home which is going to meet your needs, it’s worth challenging yourself on how big you really need to go. The right architect will employ clever tricks to create a sense of spaciousness. For example, maximising natural light, building higher studs in living areas, opting for higher joinery and doors, and designing a natural flow to well considered outdoor areas can create a feeling of greater space. Cutting down on floor area where you can will free up budget for the bespoke details that make your new home unique.
3. Explore different options
Value engineering involves exploring all your options to achieve the high-quality look and feel you want, without cutting corners. Some of the big-ticket items where you have potential to make the most savings are:
Foundations: Work with engineers to explore foundation solutions. For example, instead of traditional concrete footings or slabs, driven piles can be used which are often cleaner, faster, require less labour, and allow easy access to the subfloor for future changes or improvements.
Cladding: The options for cladding are endless. While using trusted, local products can reduce your carbon footprint, alternatives that match your design goals and budget can also be sourced, giving you the look you want without overspending. For example, composite panels can give the look of timber planks or concrete at a lower cost, require less labour to install and are easier to maintain in the long run.
Joinery: Joinery is a big-ticket item which has a big impact on the look and functionality of your home. Most window joinery suppliers offer a range of solutions with different features at different price points. Window joinery options include different types of glass that affect both aesthetics and functionality; reflective or mirror tinted glass can significantly impact the final look and feel of your home. It’s worth exploring different ranges to determine what will work best in your home, and also consider long term savings (e.g. reducing heating costs and sun damage to interior finishings).
Cabinetry: taking into account the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, wardrobe fitout and any built-in features you’re after (e.g. shelving, bench or booth seats), cabinetry becomes one of the key interior elements that drives the look, feel and function of your home. It’s an important one to get right, and there are plenty of options to explore to achieve the style you want. For example, there are quality plywood options that can give you a timber look, or easy-to-install designer panels to give a fluted or textured look without the hefty price tag. Do your research to find materials that fit your budget while still achieving that bespoke feel.
4. Invest time in design
Allow plenty of time and focus your attention on the finer details through the design process. Pull together a mood board, consult interior and lighting experts and visit showrooms. Nutting out what you want, right down to the final finishes, allows your builder to price accurately at the start of the project and can save you time and money once the build kicks off. Clarity on the details and finishes means less risk of delays while waiting on materials, and fewer variations through the build process. Plus, you’ll have the time to shop around and secure any client supplied items at the best price.
5. Focus on the rooms that matter most
Certain areas of your home should be prioritised to make the most impact. Investing in high-quality finishes in the right spaces will help to focus your spend while elevating the daily comfort and enjoyment of your home. The kitchen and living area are the heart of any home; this is where you entertain guests and spend most of your time, so you might want to splurge on higher-quality finishes like feature lighting and a beautiful kitchen benchtop. Bathrooms are essential in your daily routine, serving not only your personal needs but also those of your guests. Bedrooms and the laundry are sensible spaces to cut back on when you’re looking for savings.
6. Use quality tradesmen
Quality workmanship and clear communication with tradesmen is key to a smooth and successful build that stays on budget. Your builder plays an important role in this communication, ensuring all moving parts of the project are coordinated, seamless and on schedule. It's important to use suppliers and specialist tradesmen who bring the right expertise and experience to the table, ensuring the job is done once and done right, and any challenges are quickly resolved, keeping your build on track and to a high standard.
Value engineering can help you to achieve your dream design within your budget. Focus on clever design, smart material choices, efficient building practices, and prioritising the right areas to ensure you don’t have to compromise on quality.