Complete guide to building your own home
A new home build starts long before the first shovel hits the dirt. It starts at the kitchen table, with the spark of an idea and a quick sketch on the back of an envelope. It starts with a late-night conversation about the kind of life you’ll build there - one with a spacious deck for lazy Sunday barbeques? A sunny reading nook? A big kitchen, filled with squealing kids and an oven big enough to feed them all?
From there, it snowballs. How do you maximise both morning and afternoon sun? How big should the windows be, and what insulation do you need? Pages of Pinterest inspiration are soon dimmed by quotes, legislation, consents and trying to figure out how many decisions one person can reasonably make in a day. It’s a lot to take in, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at the start.
At CKH Construction, we’ve built enough mountain homes, tussock abodes and lakeside getaways around Wānaka and Hāwea to know that a great project doesn’t start with a perfect plan - it starts with an idea. Our job is to take that idea and build it into something real that fits your life, your budget and our region. Think your vision, instincts and ideas, our hands, tools, and expert guidance.
Nevertheless, having a rough plan helps. That’s why we’ve put together a complete guide to building your own home, so you know what to expect every step of the way. Here’s what the journey looks like.
Choosing the right spot
Your site is one of the biggest influencers of your home. How the sun moves across the space, where the wind hits, the views you want to work around, how far back the neighbours can see. Your site helps inform all these design choices down the line, which is why we work with you to understand your land and how your design can work with it, not against it. This is also where you can start thinking about more sustainable choices - good orientation, for example, means less heating, less cooling, and less artificial light, keeping both your bills and your footprint smaller.Choosing a design
Before you sign on the dotted template, think about what you’re building for. A first house, simple and functional? A family home? A summer escape? Your design should reflect the life you want to build. From there, you might choose an architect to design something truly yours, something unique that’s built around your vision. Or, you might choose the ease of a well-tested plan, a template home that is faster, more predictable, and often easier on the budget. Whatever you decide, the important thing is that it fits your lifestyle, site, and budget.Choosing a builder you trust
Building a home is a collaboration. You’ll spend months talking, planning, making decisions and working through changes with your builder, so choosing the right one will shape your whole experience. Find someone you feel comfortable with, who communicates clearly, has proven experience, and cares about your build even more than you do. A Master Builder gives you extra protection and peace of mind, but beyond credentials, it really comes down to trust. You should feel confident that your builder truly wants the best outcome for you, not the quickest one for themselves. Ahem, heard the blokes at CKH are pretty good.Getting ready for the build
Before the tools start flying, there’s a surprising amount of groundwork to cover. Think building consents, resource consent (if required), build contracts, insurance, finance, and a Master Build Guarantee. It might sound like a lot, but the right builder should guide you through this paperwork with ease. At CKH, we’re big on keeping you in the loop as much (or as little) as you like, walking you through the fine print simply and clearly.The building process
Once the t’s are crossed and i’s are dotted, it’s time to put tools to timber. And while we pride ourselves on making the build as seamless as possible, every project has its moments. The weather closes in, materials get delayed, you change your mind about tapware at the eleventh hour. What makes the difference is how these moments are handled. A good builder keeps the build moving, communicates delays before they’re a problem, and keeps everyone on the same page - you included. If there are changes, we'll let you know what’s happening and why, so you can feel totally comfortable trusting the process.At CKH, this is also where we choose more sustainable building processes. We look for ways to reduce waste or repurpose materials so less ends up in landfill, and work with suppliers who offer recycling or take-back schemes for packaging and offcuts. Even small, tangible choices can mean a lighter footprint.
Making it your own
Choosing the final details is where your house really starts to feel like home. Plus, it’s fun. Light fittings, flooring, cabinetry, colours, textures - this is where you can leave your mark and make your home your own. We recommend clients chat with our trusted local suppliers directly to discuss their individual needs and ideas. After months of structural decisions and paperwork, this is where you get to have a say in the details you’ll see, touch, and use every day, so it’s worth speaking to the experts who know their finishings best.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much will it cost?
Every build is different, so unfortunately, there’s not a one-size-fits-all cost. What we do is give you a rough estimate early on, then provide a full quote once plans are more solid. We’ll also walk you through where your dollar goes: what drives costs up, where you can save, and how to prioritise spending based on what matters most. No matter the budget, our goal is always the same: build a home that fits your wallet and doesn’t compromise on quality.How long will it take?
Again, every build is different. Your timeline will depend on the size, design and complexity of your home. At the beginning of a project, we’ll share a full schedule with you, our suppliers and our subbies. We make sure everyone is clear on the timelines and expected milestones, and if anything shifts, we communicate it straight away to avoid surprises.Should I choose an architect or a template home?
Choosing a custom or template home comes down to your needs, your site and your goals. Template designs are great for straightforward, well-tested builds where budget or timeline takes priority. Custom designs suit those wanting a home tailored to their lifestyle, or if a site has quirks that need a unique approach. At CKH, we work closely with local architect Sam J Designs to create anything from simple homes to large-scale designs or renovations, if that’s the route you go down. There’s no right or wrong here, just different routes to the right home for you.
How can I make it energy efficient on a budget?
Making a home more energy efficient on a budget is totally achievable. Full version here, short version being that smarter, more thoughtful choices in the design phase can make a huge difference down the line. Good insulation, careful window placement, efficient appliances and responsible material selection can lift performance without costing the earth.Which suppliers should I choose?
If you’re building around Wānaka, we’d love to walk you through the suppliers and tradies we trust. We’ve worked with our wider team for years, with relationships built on trust, shared values, and high-quality craftsmanship that deliver excellent results time and time again.Any other tips or advice?
Talk to people you trust who have been through the building process before. They’ll tell you what made their build easier, what they wished they’d asked earlier, and what they’d prioritise next time.
So there you have it - our complete guide to building your own home. It’s a big undertaking, no doubt, and that’s why it deserves the right team, clear communication, and a process you feel part of at every step, built with care and quality from the ground up. And we’re proud to do just that, crafting mountain homes that reflect the same care we have for our people and place. Got a project on the back of an envelope? Get in touch to bring it to life.
Get in touch
Ready to craft your next home a little more thoughtfully? Get in touch, and let’s get efficient.