SR356 Recommendations for first-time new-build housing clients (2019)

This report presents the findings from our work looking into what the industry needs to be recommending to new-building housing clients, particularly those building for the first time.

The BRANZ New House Owners' Satisfaction Survey has shown that there is a significant difference as to how builders have been scored based on whether or not a client has built previously. This indicated that clients with building experience were taking learnings from their previous build and applying it to their current build. The aim of the project is to bridge the knowledge gap through developing and making available a list of recommendations from clients that had built previously for use by those who are building for the first time.

Results show that the areas where the industry most needs to improve are around additional and/or unforeseen costs, timeframes and contracts. Another common theme was around show homes ± clients need to be aware that what is shown in the show home is not necessarily what will be delivered at handover.