The Home Building Process in New Zealand: What to Expect with Today Homes

April 7, 2025

Building a new home is a major milestone, and having the right builder makes all the difference. At Today Homes, we’ve helped hundreds of Kiwi families navigate the journey with confidence. With over 35 years of experience, we’ve refined a clear, client-friendly process that takes you from blank section to move-in ready—with expert support every step of the way.

Step 1: Choosing Land for Your New Home

If you haven’t already secured a section, we can help you find one that suits your goals, budget, and location preferences. With extensive knowledge of Canterbury developments and local zoning requirements, we can guide you through choosing the right land to build on.

Step 2: Designing Your New Home

Next, we’ll work with you to design a home that suits your lifestyle, section, and long-term needs. Choose from one of our proven plans or modify a layout to fit your vision.

We help you consider:

  • Site orientation and layout
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Living and storage space
  • Future-proofing features

Step 3: Interior Design & Colour Selection Process

This is one of the most exciting stages—personalising your new home. With guidance from our experienced interior design team, you’ll make confident choices for:

  • Kitchen design and cabinetry
  • Interior and exterior colours
  • Flooring, tiling, and splashbacks
  • Bathroom fixtures and tapware
  • Lighting plans and electrical layout

You’ll also have opportunities to upgrade materials or finishes to suit your style and budget. Our team is there to keep the process easy and stress-free, even if design isn’t your strong suit.

Step 4: Building Contracts and Council Consent

Once your design is finalised, we prepare your building contract and submit the plans for council consent. We manage all documentation and compliance requirements, so you don’t have to worry about the red tape.

Step 5: Construction of Your New Home

With consent approved, we begin construction on site. During the build, you can expect:

  • Weekly updates from your project team
  • On-site walkthroughs at key milestones
  • Quality checks at every stage
  • Timelines that match our proven build schedule

Every home is built to meet our Today Homes show home standard, ensuring a consistent level of workmanship and attention to detail.

Step 6: Final Inspection and Code of Compliance

Before we can hand over your home, it must pass several council inspections—including the final inspection. Once passed, we apply for your Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC).

While we wait for council to issue the CCC, we conduct our own detailed quality walkthrough with you. Any final touch-ups or minor defects are added to a snag list and resolved immediately.

Step 7: Key Handover and Move-In Day

Once your CCC is approved and the snag list is complete, we hand over the keys. Your new home will be 100% complete, clean, and ready for you to move in—with no unfinished jobs or surprises.

Why Build with Today Homes?

  • Over 35 years of experience in NZ home-building
  • In-house interior design and colour consultants
  • Fixed-price build contracts
  • High-quality construction standards
  • A process built around clarity and communication

Final Thoughts: A Home-Building Experience You Can Trust

Building a home involves a lot of decisions—but with the right builder, it doesn’t have to be stressful. At Today Homes, we guide you through the entire home-building process in New Zealand, making sure you feel informed, supported, and confident at every stage.

Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or ready to choose your section, get in touch with our team—we’d love to help you build a home that’s made to last.