Building Your Dream Home?
Let's Make It Happen.

Most lenders require a minimum 15–20% deposit for a land & build construction loan. However, if you're eligible for the First Home Loan scheme (backed by Kāinga Ora), you may be able to get started with as little as 5% deposit on the land, with the build costs drawn down progressively. We'll confirm the best option for your situation.

During construction, most lenders only require you to pay interest on the portions of the loan that have been drawn down — not the full loan amount. This keeps your repayments low while your home is being built. Once construction is complete, the loan converts to a standard principal-and-interest mortgage. We structure your finance to manage cash flow throughout the build.

Yes — you can withdraw your KiwiSaver savings to go towards your land purchase, and if you're eligible, you can also access the First Home Grant of up to $10,000 per person (up to $20,000 for a couple) for a new build. We'll guide you through the application and make sure you maximise every dollar available.

If you already own the land freehold, you can use the land as equity towards your construction loan — significantly reducing the additional deposit you need. Many lenders are comfortable using your land value as security, meaning you may only need to cover a smaller portion of the build costs upfront. We'll structure a package that leverages your existing asset.

Absolutely — and they're often more flexible than major banks when it comes to new builds and construction loans. Non-bank lenders may accept lower deposits, have a more pragmatic approach to valuations, and approve borrowers with non-standard income or credit history. We compare the full market so you get the best fit.

A construction loan works differently from a standard home loan. Instead of receiving the full loan amount upfront, the lender pays your builder in stages (progress payments) — typically for slab, framing, lock-up, fit-out, and completion. You only pay interest on the amount drawn down so far, not the total loan. We coordinate with your builder and lender to keep every stage on track.

Most construction loans release funds in 5 stages: (1) slab / foundation — 20–25%, (2) framing — 15–20%, (3) roof / lock-up — 20–25%, (4) interior fit-out — 20–25%, and (5) completion — 10–15%. Each stage requires a signed progress claim from your builder and sometimes a valuation from the lender. We manage the paperwork so payments flow smoothly.

Pre-approval can take 3–7 business days with your documents ready. Full approval on the specific land and build contract usually takes another 5–10 working days. The lender will need a signed building contract, fixed-price quote from the builder, council-approved plans, and a valuation. We help you gather everything upfront to avoid delays.

Cost overruns are one of the biggest risks in any build. We recommend all clients have a contingency buffer of 10–15% of the build cost. If you go over, some lenders may approve a variation or top-up loan, but it's not guaranteed. We structure your finance with enough headroom so a small overrun doesn't derail your build.

Yes — self-employed borrowers can absolutely get construction loans. Lenders will typically want to see 1–2 years of tax returns, your accountant's letter, and evidence of consistent income. Non-bank lenders are often more accommodating for self-employed applicants. We know which lenders have the most flexible policies and how to present your application for the best chance of approval.