What Happens After Signing Your Building Contract? A Simple Guide to the Next Steps

April 7, 2025

Congratulations—you’ve just signed your home-building contract! This is an exciting milestone that marks the beginning of transforming your vision into reality. But what exactly happens next?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps that follow signing your contract, including making your interior and exterior selections, obtaining building consents, and starting construction, so you know precisely what to expect.

Step 1: Making Your Design and Interior Selections

Right after signing your building contract, you’ll enter one of the most enjoyable stages of the home-building journey—choosing your home’s interior and exterior features. This step is where you personalise your home, making selections for:

  • Colours: Interior and exterior paint colours to reflect your style.
  • Flooring: Carpet, tiles, vinyl, timber—whatever suits your needs and aesthetic.
  • Kitchen Design: Cabinetry styles, benchtops, splashbacks, and appliances.
  • Tapware and Bathroom Fixtures: Modern, classic, or designer fittings tailored to your tastes.
  • Electrical Layout: Lighting fixtures, power points, switches, and any special electrical requirements.

At this stage, you’ll have the opportunity to pick and choose every detail, clearly defining exactly what will go into your home.

Step 2: Obtaining Building Consent

Once you’ve finalised your design choices, the next crucial step is obtaining building consent from your local council. Our team manages this entire process on your behalf, ensuring that all documentation and plans comply with the New Zealand Building Code and local council requirements.

This consent stage ensures your home is structurally safe, compliant, and built to a high standard, ready for construction.

Step 3: Construction Begins

With building consent approved, construction officially begins. This is the exciting phase where you’ll start seeing your plans come to life—from foundations to framing, roofing, and eventually interior fit-outs.

Your home will be carefully built according to the selections you’ve made, customising every element specifically to your preferences.

Step 4: Site Meetings and Regular Updates

Throughout the construction process, you’ll have regular site meetings to view the progress of your home. These meetings are an opportunity for you to:

  • See your design choices take shape.
  • Ask questions and stay fully informed about timelines.
  • Stay involved and ensure everything aligns perfectly with your expectations.

Enjoy the Journey!

Building your new home is an exciting experience, filled with opportunities to customise and create something uniquely yours. From choosing your fixtures and colours through to final completion, you’ll enjoy a clear, smooth, and engaging building journey.

If you have any further questions, the Today Homes team is always here to guide you through each step, keeping the process transparent, enjoyable, and stress-free.