New home builds in Wellington and on the Kāpiti Coast
Time to build your own home.
Jeannine runs the client side of every Peaky project. She sources samples, gets options in front of you, compares cladding, tiles, carpet and fittings, and chases supplier lead times.
For most clients, time is the scarce thing, not budget. Jeannine is effectively your assistant for the whole build. You make the calls that matter and skip the twenty hours a week of coordination behind them.
Peaky Builders manages new home builds from first feasibility through to handover. We're a project management company that also builds. Design, budget, subtrades, selections and site delivery all sit with one team.
Most clients come to us at one of two points. Either they have plans and want a real cost, or they have a site and no idea where to start. Both are fine.
You get a person, not a portal
See our recent new build
Talk to us before the design is locked in
How it works
First conversation. Jeannine meets you on site, takes your brief and budget. No cost, no obligation.
Feasibility. An indicative number against your site and brief, before you spend on design.
Design. We price the concept as your architect develops it.
Fixed price proposal. A full zone-by-zone breakdown, every inclusion and exclusion written down.
Contract. An NZCB building contract, with your Halo guarantee lodged before work starts.
Build. Weekly progress claims with invoices attached, and Jeannine running your selections.
Handover. CCC, professional clean, defects period and your guarantee in place.
The most expensive mistake in a new build is finding out the design is over budget after the drawings are done. By then you've paid for the design, and you pay again to change it.
What we handle
Feasibility and budget testing before the design is locked in
Full quantity takeoff and open-book pricing
Architect and engineer coordination
Subtrade procurement and programme
Product and finishes selection, with you
Site management and quality control
CCC, handover and defects
Still looking for a section? What a site costs to build on matters as much as what it costs to buy. See our land advice.
If you haven't started designing yet
We work alongside your architect from first concept, pricing as the design develops. You find out what a decision costs while it's still a line on a sketch, not once the house is $200,000 over.
We work with architects and designers across Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast already. If you don't have one, we'll introduce you to two or three who suit what you're after.
If your plans are already drawn
Bring them in. We'll take off your drawings zone by zone, tell you what they cost to build, and flag anything likely to cause trouble on site or at consent. If the numbers don't stack up against your budget, we'll show you where the money's sitting and what moving it saves.
What's inside
Ready to build your new home? Get expert advice for a hassle-free build!
How to find the perfect section
Plan with confidence and avoid common pitfalls
Let's talk money - understand the true costs of construction
Things to know when building on a hill
Learn fro experts to avoid costly mistakes
Our building consent guide
Our FREE new magazine
Here's what our clients say
”I am absolutely astounded at the exceptional job that they have done from start to finish. The entire team, including the subtrades that Peaky Builders brought in to complete all of the work, have far exceeded all of my expectations on every level.”
Jeanette Sweet, Homeowner
”It is wonderful to know there is a gem building company, who takes pride in their work and commits to what they say. I will 100% be using Peaky Builders again.”
Treena van Rijssel, Homeowner
How long does a new build take?
The thing that most often blows out a build is not the builder. It's selections. A tile choice left unmade for three weeks stops a bathroom, and the trades booked in behind it move to another job. Keeping your decisions ahead of the programme is Jeannine's entire role, and it's the single biggest thing standing between you and an on-time handover. See our process.
Quick answer: Longer than most people expect. And the parts that stretch are usually not the building.
Most new builds with Peaky Builders in Wellington and on the Kāpiti Coast take 18 to 24 months from first design meeting to handover. Of that, 10 to 12 months is construction, for a custom home of around 200 square metres.
A new build runs on three clocks. We only control one of them.
Design takes as long as the decisions take. Some clients settle a concept in six weeks. Others spend six months. Neither is wrong, but the difference is half a year.
Consent is largely out of everyone's hands. Council has a statutory processing period, but any request for further information stops that clock. A complex hill site attracts more of them.
Construction is the part we control and the part we commit to. For a custom home of around 200 square metres, expect ten to twelve months on site. Once your drawings are priced, you get a programme with real dates in it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a new home in Wellington?
The cost of a new home depends on much more than its size. Your section, site access, foundations, design, materials, finishes and level of specification can all have a significant impact on the final cost. Features such as kitchens, bathrooms, windows, cladding, heating, landscaping and outdoor areas can also add to the overall budget.
At Peaky Builders, we can help you understand the costs involved early in the process and work with you and your design team to develop a build that aligns with your budget.
Do I need an architect before I contact a builder?
Not at all. In fact, we recommend talking to your builder early in the process. Peaky Builders works with a number of experienced Wellington architects and can recommend an architect who is a good fit for your type of build, whether you're creating a family home, bespoke new build or have a challenging site. Getting your builder involved early can also help ensure the design is practical to build and aligned with your budget.
When should I involve a builder in the design process?
As early as possible. Bringing your builder into the conversation before your plans are finalised can help identify potential construction challenges and cost implications while there is still time to make changes. We can provide practical input on materials, construction methods, site considerations and buildability, helping you make informed decisions before your design is locked in.
What is not included in a new build quote?
Council consent fees, engineering and site services usually sit outside the build price. That means consent lodgement fees and development contributions, structural engineering design and PS1/PS3 producer statements, geotechnical investigation, driveways and paths, retaining walls and soft landscaping. We list every exclusion in writing so nothing is assumed, and we will give you a realistic figure to budget for each.
Do I have to deal with the subcontractors myself?
No. That is the part we take off you. Peaky Builders is a project management company as well as a building company. We procure and coordinate every trade, book and manage council inspections, and handle supplier lead times. Your Client Advisor, Jeannine, manages your side of it, sourcing samples, putting options in front of you and keeping your selections ahead of the build programme. You make the decisions and we run everything behind them.
Why does building on a Wellington hill site cost more?
Because the ground has to be dealt with before the house starts. Sloping sections need excavation, deep piled foundations, engineered bracing and often decks or retaining just to make the section usable. On a recent Newlands build, site preparation, piling and external works came to around 16% of the total build cost before a single wall went up. Flat, road-accessible sites avoid most of that.
Why do builders quote such wide price ranges?
Because the same floor plan can be built to very different specifications. Design complexity, site conditions, the level of joinery, the number of bathrooms and the fixtures you choose all move the total independently of size. A shower head can be $100 or $4,000, and the same spread applies to tapware, tiles, appliances and hardware across the whole house. A per square metre rate is a starting point for a conversation, not a price.
What guarantee comes with a Peaky Builders new build?
We are an approved member of NZ Certified Builders, which means you qualify to apply for Halo, a comprehensive 10-Year Residential Guarantee. It provides much greater protection than both the Building Act and Consumer Guarantees Act. Regardless of what happens in the future, your Halo Guarantee will be there to protect your housing investment and help you for the next 10 years following completion of your build – it’s peace of mind, guaranteed.
With a Halo 10 year residential Guarantee you’re covered for:
Loss of deposit
Non-completion, including remedial work
Materials and workmanship for two years after building work is complete
Structural defects for the next eight years from Guarantee Acceptance, including rot and fungal decay (weathertightness)
Up to 26 weeks alternative accommodation expenses while the house is being repaired
Automatically transferable when the home is sold, giving any new owners protection too
Please ask us for the Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee Homeowner Handbook for full details of guarantee coverage, exclusions and additional benefits. All Halo applications must be submitted before building work starts.
Custom design and build
Ready to create a new home in Wellington that's uniquely yours?
Our custom design and build services ensure that your vision becomes a reality without the stress.
Already have plans or need an architect? No worries – we have strong connections with an elite network of renowned Wellington and Kapiti based architects.
We've streamlined the process, removing the stress of being charged an arm and a leg for a design that is well over budget.
From day 1, we work with your architect to ensure your project aligns with affordability. We also do a thorough review of any existing plans to assess their alignment with any constraints you may have.
Free pre-designed certified house plans
As proud members of New Zealand Certified Builders, we’re able to offer you free pre-designed house plans in Wellington.
Choose from a well thought out and extensive range of 32 plans. These building plans are designed with you in mind, meaning the range covers all the criteria that's important to you.
Whether space is at a premium, if there's a view to maximise, or if you can afford to spread out, there's certified plans available to choose from.
We can help you decide the best plan to suit the site you’re building on. Every design has an architectural edge that you’ll appreciate in how they each standout through the lifestyle they afford.
We are a full project management team from design to completion
Exceeding expectations
With our new construction house builds, you can have the peace of mind knowing that you're investing in a home that not only meets your present needs but also stands the test of time.
Our homes are backed by our Halo 10 and 25 yr guarantees, ensuring that you have a reliable support system even after the construction is complete.
Sustainability
In addition to our commitment to quality and personalised design, we also prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability in our new construction house builds.
We advise property owners when to use eco-friendly materials and implement energy-saving technologies to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy bills.
Eco modular construction
With our connections with Bode, we can project manage and build efficient, impactful homes from Lower Hutt to the Kapiti Coast that are light on the planet and supportive of our local NZ industry.
These new homes are cost-effective, high-performing with sustainable designs and are revolutionising how we build for the betterment of Kiwi communities.
Bode has designed a building system that can be efficiently manufactured, easily assembled and are the ultimate in high-performance homes that significantly reduce energy costs with minimal impact to the land and leaving minimal waste in the environment.
From locally sourced materials to Bodes precision robotic manufacturing methods that eliminate off cuts and recycle all site waste, Bode are committed to sustainable building practices
