Kitset Houses

Kitset homes are affordable, easily constructed and available in a variety of designs. From granny flats to family homes, baches and home offices, New Zealand kitset homes offer a convenient solution. For DIY whizzes, building a kitset home puts you in charge of creating your own space, to your own specifications. Not sure where to start? Read on for information on building a kitset home in New Zealand.

Why choose a kitset home?
Building a kitset house puts you on the yellow brick road towards the Kiwi dream: owning a section of land and a house. By building a kitset home, you'll be able to:

• Contribute your own ideas to your house plan
• Tackle a do-it-yourself challenge (you can take on the full build or get a builder to put your kit set house together)
• Save money by constructing your own home
• Enjoy full support throughout the process, from planning through to construction and completion of your home
• Build your own home from homegrown renewable resources

Can I design my own kitset home?
Companies supplying New Zealand kitset homes usually offer a variety of house plans – both single-storey and two-storey - and available with one, two, three and four bedrooms. You can pick a functional, practical house design straight from the catalogue. Alternatively, alter an existing house plan to suit your needs or supply the kitset home company with your own plan. A kitset home will be cheaper than employing an architect, but your design may have more limitations than a professionally designed home.

What makes a good house design?
If you decide to design your own kitset home, be sure to:

• Use the space within your home effectively (don't have unused areas or poorly designed rooms)
• Make good use of your section (consider space and direction of sun and wind exposure)
• Consider materials (timber is commonly used, with steel roofing)
• Think about energy efficiency in your home (there are kitset house companies that specialise in eco-design)
• Think about the look of your kit set home, as well as comfort and functionality
• Ensure your home is weather-tight
• Take into account lifestyle requirements (such as outdoor entertaining, garden space and play areas for children)

For house design inspiration, check out architectural magazines and New Zealand architects, visit showhomes and look at new subdivisions or buildings in your area.

What do I need to tell the designer for a customised kitset home?
Your specifications will be essential to ensuring that you get the kitset home you've visualised. You'll need to outline:

• The size of the house
• One storey or two storey?
• The number of bedrooms (and their relative sizes)
• The number of bathrooms and ensuites
• The size and location of the kitchen
• External cladding and roofing
• Heating requirements

Can I get a 'green' kitset home?
We're all getting into being 'green,' but what does this mean when it comes to kit set homes? An eco-friendly house will have a minimal impact on the environment. A greenie's house plan will have:

• Good airflow (to prevent moisture buildup and to minimise the need for ventilation systems)
• Sustainable building materials that are durable yet low in toxicity and environmental impact (timber grown on renewable plantations or recycled building materials)
• Natural climate control (harnessing the warmth of sunlight and utilising good insulation)
• A rainwater collection tank (for use in watering your garden and flushing the toilet)
• Solar hot water heating

What's included with my kitset home?
New Zealand kitset home companies vary in what they offer, so make sure you read the fine print for your kit set house package. You should receive a plan and specifications, along with pre-fabricated roofing, doors and windows, exterior cladding, insulation and the rest of the house's structural parts. Check what your kit set home company doesn't include in the package. Hidden extras could be the cost of:

• Site survey
• Transportation of materials
• Resource consent applications
• Engineers' reports
• Installation of electrical, plumbing and drainage requirements
• Painting and decorating
• On-site construction and labour

Looking for more information? Find New Zealand kitset houses in the NZS.com directory.

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Business images from Flickr: Sky Tower, New Zealand Flag and Wellington Buildings.