House Builders (investment)

[Laava]

I have posted this before but will post again as it is an awesome tool, even for numpties!
https://plansmachine.co.nz

[Swoop]

Ex-workmate used GJ to build in Pukekohe.
On-time and on-budget. He raved about the quality (in the trade and certainly knows).
However franchise will hugely vary between locations. Talk to previous customers who used a franchise in your area to get a better idea.

Another had a good experience with Sunline homes in Hamilton.
They were very happy to modify plans as well. Mate printed out one of their plans and cut it up with scissors, then "modifed" their design to suit his needs. They were impressed and incorporated the design ideas without issue.

Ask around.

[HenryDorsetCase]

The thing with a franchise builder is that it always comes down to the guy swinging the hammer, running the site and organising everyone. My rule of thumb is simply this: do a site visit. If the site is an untidy shithole, find another builder. If the site is tidy, generally there arent any issues. I have a 100% success rate in gauging this over the years. Interestingly I was talking socially to a council building inspector recently, and he said that it is one of the cues he uses as well.

[Graystone]

I have posted this before but will post again as it is an awesome tool, even for numpties!
https://plansmachine.co.nz

That seems fucking awesome, what's the catch?

[sidecar bob]

Something to think about is having investment property in a different shire to your own home or other properties.
For example, if there is a localised recession, or the government screws your village over, like they have with New Plymouth recently, or like when the Toyota plant shut down in Thames, you haven't got all your eggs in one basket & at least only half your shit is in one sock.

[HEsch]

Something to think about is having investment property in a different shire to your own home or other properties.
For example, if there is a localised recession, or the government screws your village over, like they have with New Plymouth recently, or like when the Toyota plant shut down in Thames, you haven't got all your eggs in one basket & at least only half your shit is in one sock.

Good suggestion. If the market tanks in one location - hopefully it doesn't also tank in the other. Or, your job isn't in jeopardy at the same time so you can ride it out.

[sidecar bob]

Good suggestion. If the market tanks in one location - hopefully it doesn't also tank in the other. Or, your job isn't in jeopardy at the same time so you can ride it out.

It also opens up your life to shifting towns without any real sort of long term commitment other that re arranging a few tenants.
It gives you a few more choices regarding lifestyle & employment opportunities.
Some experts say, "never buy a rental house you would want to live in" I'm no expert, but I believe in the dead opposite.

[JimO]

i try to avoid working for franchise home building companies mainly because they (a) are about to fall over owing you money, (b) see A...but one of the builders i have worked for for around 20 years became a franchisee so i stayed doing his work, over a couple of years all the regular subbies that had been with him from day 1 were replaced with cheaper guys, i was the last to get the chop. He uses new young builders, promises them x number of houses...great they think until they are about 3 houses in and realise there is no money in it for them. Get a proper stand alone builder that way you are paying the guy thats building your house to build your house.........the guy i mentioned before has 3 salespeople and 2 office girls, who do you think is paying for them?

[HenryDorsetCase]

i try to avoid working for franchise home building companies mainly because they (a) are about to fall over owing you money, (b) see A...but one of the builders i have worked for for around 20 years became a franchisee so i stayed doing his work, over a couple of years all the regular subbies that had been with him from day 1 were replaced with cheaper guys, i was the last to get the chop. He uses new young builders, promises them x number of houses...great they think until they are about 3 houses in and realise there is no money in it for them. Get a proper stand alone builder that way you are paying the guy thats building your house to build your house.........the guy i mentioned before has 3 salespeople and 2 office girls, who do you think is paying for them?

I was talking to a guy buying joinery machinery last week. Priority 1: get sales staff to go after the work. It makes sense. Pointless having a couple million plus bucks worth of kit lying about waiting for stuff to do.....

[Laava]

That seems fucking awesome, what's the catch?

There is no catch but the tools are only good for basic floor plans and elevations before you start needing to spend on truss plans, topography etc. but if you use it to design a footprint, specify dimensions, place windows and doors and design a roof, then you can get good clear printable concept plans. Go to an architect and ask for concept plans, you will be surprised how much it would cost, plus you get to do it for yourself, your clients or get your clients to do their own. It is pretty easy...

[BMWST?]

i would do a truss consent for any plan as long as the dimensions are there and the opening sizes are known.I would nominate any wall for load bearing if required unless specifically told not to.I would expect some sort of roof plan but we can develop/amend that too if required.Our normal customers dont ussually pay a fee,but a one of might.Its not at all expensive(in the scheme of building a house).If we do a consent we expect to get the job.If we dont get the job we then might come looking for a fee.