I worked with Matt and Jolanda to identify key topics, then researched, drafted and published a 4000 word+ article, with six related blog posts published within the next six weeks.
The strategy yielded remarkable results, with Build7 ranking on the first page of Google for their regional search terms within 40 days.
When we met Ethan, we instantly knew that he understood us and what we wanted to achieve. It became quickly apparent that he held the same values, allowing us to trust him. While the website was our main priority, we soon became educated on the importance of quality content and requirements to bring it to life. We valued our professional monthly meetings as Ethan would bring creative suggestions, whilst staying aligned with the brand.
Blogs were also a huge success and Ethan was great to collaborate with as he would research and write a completely open transparent blog with a genuine tone coming from us, which added to the authenticity of our reputation as a growing brand. What we love most about Ethan is that we feel we're working with someone from a team with a family feel.
We wholeheartedly rate Ethan and the work he does in high regards and recommend a consultation with him to ensure you are on the path to success.
When buying a section, the importance of being thorough must be considered, as details left unknown can result in costly mistakes and regretful investiture. With the number of land offerings on the Central Otago market, I've compiled some points to consider as you search for the ideal parcel of land for your project. I'll address these from the perspective of avoiding mistakes by overlooking some of the critical details you and your builder need to know. Before I start, I'll mention that having professional insight is helpful when considering a section's purchase; if you need a helping hand, Build7 is here to help. This blog post covers some of the precise details we look at when assessing our clients' land options. If you have yet to reach that point or are considering a new build, we've prepared another post as a primer for you; check that out here.
Ever heard the saying, "You get what you pay for"? That sentiment rings all too true for purchasing a section, but sadly, many have learned the hard way by chasing a bargain without doing the homework. Chances are, if the price seems too good to be true, it is, and that can be for various reasons, some of which we will cover shortly.
A quality piece of land is a foundational factor in a successful and equitable build and should have considerable weight in any project budget.
One of the common ways that builders have traditionally estimated the price of a build is "price per square meterage"; this has a part to play in why people tend to become stingy when inspecting land options. While it makes for a neat-and-tidy approach, it can be misleading. Depending on the home structure, the same amount of square meterage can be enclosed by very different arrangements of walls and materials, resulting in substantial differences in price for architectural components and materials. So when a particular figure based on price per square meter is estimated, prospective buyers find a house plan they presume fits within their budget, then attempt to squeeze it onto a piece of land that suits the budget without considering the property's quality. Besides, different building firms include differing portions within their calculations; outdoor areas, patios, voids, porches and verandas can be included in some and not in others. This can make matters even more confusing. Navigating this process with the builder you intend to use can be a lifesaver.
People fall victim to this mistake by overemphasising their perceived lifestyle preference over what they are willing to pay for the home's construction. For instance, in the case of lifestyle properties like rural estate or acreage properties, the land may have great potential when, underneath, hidden costs lurk. This can range from incomplete or missing underground services, uneven terrain, unsuitable mineral or soil constitution, long distances for deliveries from suppliers and tradespeople, and different lending criteria. The expenditure involved in getting these sites construction-ready can be immense. Also, expensive water tanks and septic systems will likely need to be installed on the land, incurring even more costs.
While finding what appears to be a choice piece of land in the countryside or a bargain buy in a more urban setting can be enticing, the best practice is to consult with a builder to obtain an economical and suitable site for your build. Avoid making decisions based solely on price to hard pass on potentially rude surprises.
If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: do your homework. Many unnecessary expenses can be avoided by ensuring that a few key but common-sense checks are completed before signing the dotted line. At Build7, we're invested in our clients' wellbeing and success, so we pay close attention to the details by asking the following questions:
Nonetheless, one of the most critical and informative section assessments is in the geotechnical report prepared by geotechnical engineers. The information comes after a detailed examination of the land's sub-surface properties, including soil, mineral deposits, chemical deposits, and groundwater, in the interest of determining how the earth will respond to the proposed construction. The results will determine what is needed to ensure the land is secure and suitable for building and what may need to happen to achieve that goal, including retaining walls and other stabilising earthworks. The Geotech or soil report is usually required to receive approval from local councils when preparing to build.
If the land possesses a high degree of slope, it can indicate potential expense in the form of earthworks; even one meter of incline or decline can cause a retaining wall. Slope presents unique challenges to the engineer and the architect as they attempt to reconcile what the proposed structure requires and what the land will accommodate.
Depending on where you build, you may need to pay a fee to install services such as water and sewer connections. Charged to individuals placing demand on the system on a case-by-case basis, it is an alternative to increasing utility bills for everyone across the board.
These services include electric power, water, natural gas, phone lines and fibre-optic cable for the internet. Adding these services to the land can be a substantial cost if these services are not provided to the land.
If the connection is not on the section being considered, it may be on another piece of land belonging to someone else.
If unique soil makeup or slope is involved, a specialised solution may be required to distribute rainwater and protect your home from flooding. Possible requirements include water detention systems that store and release water incrementally or retention systems that allow stored water to be absorbed back into the soil.
These technologies can include Eco tanks for storing rainwater or macerating pumps for assisting with sewage processing.
Depending on the council area, development or subdivision you are considering, there may be minimum or maximum coverage bylaws. These bylaws can be a determining factor in the size and type of home that you are legally able to build on that site.
As we mentioned before, the configuration of a home can significantly increase structural and material costs. Generally, extended and narrower floorplans consume more materials and have a higher building price. Thus, a section's dimensions directly correlate to a building project's potential costs.
If there were to be torrential rain, where would the water run? It's possible for water infrastructure to become overwhelmed with disastrous outcomes for those unfortunate enough to be situated at a low point in the area's topography.
Coming to the hunt for land armed with your home idea is essential for determining whether your dream home is compatible with the section you are investigating.
An excellent recipe for mistakes is attempting to navigate this process yourself without previous experience or know-how. That's where Build7 excels in assisting our customers with seasoned expertise and comprehensive knowledge of how to take a pile of dirt and make it a home. We know all the ins and outs of the sequence, and we genuinely care about getting our clients the best outcome. We have the contacts, the technical training and ideas galore, all the ingredients for a build that surpasses expectations.
The story's moral is:
If you feel like Build7 might be your builder, Jolanda and I are an email or call away.
