Frequently Asked Questions

Green Homes Australia began operating in 2006, they have over 30 franchises and growing and are now operating in New Zealand and the United States, with Green Homes New Zealand commencing business in 2016. We currently service the Coromandel, Auckland, Christchurch, Wanaka, Cromwell and Queenstown areas. Green Homes has also been building homes in the United States for several years.

Green Homes NZ offers well priced energy efficient homes that aim to exceed the building code and we are the only residential builder in the country to be ISO 50001 compliant for energy management.

If you’re after an extra comfortable, dry, healthy, warm and energy efficient home we can design to Homestar ratings, it all depends on your requirements and budget. A highly rated Homestar home has a heavily insulated thermal envelope for optimal insulation and energy efficiency, so your home will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer (and therefore cheaper to regulate its temperature).

Improved ventilation and moisture control are standard, meaning less mould and a healthier environment when winter illnesses or allergies strike.

We also design for life, and are more than happy to work alongside you and our design partner Lifemark® to offer advice on how to make best use of space in a home, based on the principles of Universal Design. Whether you have mobility issues, you’re planning a family or just want to add value and potentially a better resale value to your new home – we can make it more suitable for all ages and stages. Using ‘Space in the right place’ we can make your home more liveable and future proofed for generations to come.

  • Member of the New Zealand Green Building Council
  • Member of Future-Proof Building NZ
  • All of our key staff are Homestar certified
  • NZ’s only residential builder compliant with ISO 50001 (energy management)

We can build as ‘green’ as you want to and offer professional advice on your new home project including options to choose the most sustainable, healthy building materials and technology. We also assist with designing for the elements such as optimal window placement for passive solar, and optimising insulation (including the slab) and incorporating thermal mass elements. We are also very attentive to on-site waste management practices so we have as little environmental impact as practically possible.

We currently service Coromandel, Auckland, Christchurch, Wanaka, Cromwell and Queenstown, and are expanding into other areas in the near future.

If we don’t currently build in your region, please register your interest now and if in the future a franchise owner is able to assist in your area we will forward your details onto them.

Yes, we offer a peace of mind building experience with a 10 year Master Builders Guarantee.

 

 

Green Homes New Zealand is the only residential builder in the country to have received compliance from the International Standards Organisation for design and construction of energy efficient homes – otherwise known as ISO 50001 (Energy Management).

We also fully insulate our floors slabs* which can save up to 80% heat loss from the floor, plus we include above code insulation in the walls and ceilings, incorporate energy efficient appliances, and LED lighting.

We also use low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants to ensure a healthier environment for you to dwell in.

*Indicates options defined by your specification and plans, some specs are also location dependent and will differ according to regional climate and environmental zones as stipulated by the New Zealand Building Code.

Yes, currently we have display homes in Canterbury and Queenstown with more opening up in the near future. Check out our showhome page or sign up for our periodic newsletter for the latest updates on these, you can also view previously opened display homes that have been retired/sold.

While we’ve showcased some of our more popular plans on our site, we offer around 350 plan options in total. Whether it’s your first home or you’re an investor wanting a duplex/dual-key/multi-unit build we provide a wide scope of options!

Our plan prices vary with site, situation, specification and location so please contact your nearest branch with the names of the plans you like, along with your location and your closest branch will provide you the current build cost.

Yes, please see our latest listings for sale here or contact your local Green Homes Design & Build Consultant to discuss a bespoke build project or if you need any assistance with finding a section. We also undertake infill, and knock down rebuild projects across the country.

As our homes, specifications, sites, locations and client preferences vary across our locations we don’t have a flat rate across the board, in fact most builders don’t any more, however we aim to meet your building budget!

We may offer a fixed build price as per your contract, please contact your closest Green Homes branch to discuss further.

Please refer to our plan book to see what is included as standard, specifications may vary according to what is defined by your individual specifications and plans.


Some specifications are also location dependent and will differ according to regional climate and environmental zones as stipulated by the New Zealand Building Code.

On average it takes around 4-6 months depending on size and complexity, however we need to factor in council consent timing, weather and public holidays and other potential delays inherent in the building industry.


We are happy to confirm the estimated length of your build program when we can assess the specifics of your home plan. (Please allow 8–10 weeks for consenting and 3–5 weeks for consent plan preparation).


During our weekly site meetings we will discuss the progress of your home build and adherence to the program – and we will of course keep you up to date as we go, plus you can login to your Buildertrend portal to monitor progress.

We design for life and are more than happy to work alongside you and with our design partner Lifemark® to offer advice on how to make best use of space in a home, based on the principles of Universal Design. Whether you have mobility issues, you’re planning a family/have toddlers running around, or just want to add value and better potential resale to your new home – we can make your home safer and more suitable for all ages and stages.

Using ‘space in the right place’ will make your home more liveable and future proofed for generations to come. We also offer a wide range of home products to make your home more efficient and smarter, your kitchen and bathrooms much safer, accessible and more user friendly overall.

If you’re after a superbly comfortable, dry, healthy, warm and energy efficient home you can choose from our higher specifications, or we can also design to Homestar standards as an option. As this is site specific please chat to your local design and build team for more info.

Yes, we’re very flexible, and want you to have the perfect home! Whether you want us to design and build from scratch, or you have found a plan you like from another builder – we’re happy to make some tweaks until you’re fully in love with your plan concept! Our Architectural designers feel their key strengths are listening attentively to your exact preferences and wish list, and realising your ideal home on paper. Then of course right through to the final product – a gorgeous space that suits and reflects you and your lifestyle for years to come.

By having an energy efficient home you could potentially save over $42,000 off a 30 year term mortgage (interest at 7% with a conservative estimate of saving $70 a month) on a standard sized home.

Yes! Installing a solar system could save you on average around $700 a year in energy costs and you could pay this off in around ten years with your savings. If you’re looking at building a home to live in, in the long term this will really pay off, you could even run an EV from certain systems, and if you ever have a black out, your home will still have power.

We can on a case by case basis. Many of our clients find the standard Master Builders stage payment system a lot more cost effective, given the turn-key option can add towards around $25,000 or more to your mortgage. Many of our House and Land packages include progressive payments.

Our clients vary a lot, they are first home buyers, empty nesters, retirees, investors, parents developing the rear part of their sections to help their kids get on the property ladder, people building extra accommodation for family members, those going off the grid and more!

We build stylish, functional and future-proofed homes for all living arrangements and needs – whether you want a first home, a wing for your mother-in-law, a new Airbnb venture, a dual income rental property or an architecturally designed lifestyle home we can help.

If you’re a qualified builder please visit our Franchises page for more information about this fantastic opportunity, or book in for a casual chat with Brent, our Franchise Manager.

There are so many positives to building new, particularly if an urgent relocation isn’t a priority. If you have a bit more time on your side we can craft an abode around your exact wants and needs!
 
Reduced overall living costs
A new, energy efficient home will reduce power and water bills, and is likely to reduce doctors visits due to better warmth, humidity levels and internal air quality. Also new homes are much better insulated and meet or exceed the new H1 building code. They are designed for more efficient use of space, light and thermal efficiencies with newer appliances less likely to drain power.
 
Lower maintenance
Newer, more efficient building materials and claddings, along with up to date electrical and plumbing systems will lessen the need for upkeep, saving you cash on maintenance costs.
 
Customised design
Unless a pre-designed plan is selected, a new build is built around your needs, an existing home is less likely to be fit for purpose. In a pre-loved home you may need to make renovations to make it more functional because it hasn’t been designed from the get-go, to your specifications. 
 
Finance 
Banks favour new builds, and deposits and lending terms are usually more relaxed, there also may be an opportunity to add green upgrades such as solar, at a negligible interest rate.