DESIGN AND MATERIALS
• Can your standard plans be modified?
• How much will plan modifications cost?
• Why do I have to pay for a modification quote?
• How long does it take to have modifications made?
• What are the most common modifications to plans?
• Will my quote include an estimate for materials?
• Will my modified plans conform to the New Zealand building code?
• What if I need to make additional changes after modifications are confirmed?
• What is included in your kitset price?
• What do I need for a building consent?
• Can Horizon Homes provide site plans?
• Do I have a choice of colours for my kitset home materials?
• What cladding options are available?
• Can Horizon Homes supply foundation materials?
• Are your homes suitable for hot and cold climates?
• What do you mean by increased durability of your homes?
• Are your homes weathertight?
• Are your homes designed for Earthquake resistance?
• Do the plans include electrical, plumbing & mechanical details?
DELIVERY
• How much will delivery cost?
• What is the delivery time from placing an order?
• Can Horizon Homes supply export housing?
CONSTRUCTION
• Can Horizon Homes provide a list of builders in my local area?
• Can your homes be constructed on timber or concrete floors?
• Can you provide a cost to build estimate?
Do you have a question we haven't answered? Please contact us.
Design and Materials
Q. Can your standard plans be modified?
A. Yes, you can request a Plan Modification Quote. Simply complete and return the Plan Modification Worksheet and we will modify our standard plans for you. Alternatively, just give us a call on 0800 66 38 52 to discuss your requirements. Please note our standard plans already include a choice of cladding options and colours for roofing, aluminium joinery, kitchen cabinets and benchtop surfaces.
4 steps to modify our standard houseplans click here.
Q. How much will Plan Modifications Cost?
A. Minor changes (such as changing the cladding, moving a door or window or an internal wall etc) usually range from $500 to $1500. If you make multiple and complex changes, you may spend significantly more than this. Remember that custom designed house plans can cost as much as $100 per square metre (That’s $10 000 for a 100m² house!). Our standard house plans only cost $1500 plus the cost for any modification work you require. You're still saving thousands.
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Q. What is included in your kitset price?
A. We supply the house structure from the floor up. Please refer to our home plans and the detailed specification list for all materials supplied. We do not supply subfloor materials, unless specifically requested.
Q. What do I need for a building consent?
A. Each territorial authority will have unique requirements but will generally require drawings which include a site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, sections and construction details. Our standard plans include engineered drawings and construction details to comply with the NZ Building Code, including engineering to meet Earthquake A standard and High Wind Zones. We will not include site plans unless a survey plan or site levels are provided (see below).
Q. Can Horizon Homes provide site plans?
A. Yes, we can provide a site plan so long as the client can provide a contour (topographical) survey plan from a local surveyor OR site levels from your local builder (including all corners of the section and corners of the desired position of the house). If the site is steep (1:4 gradient or higher) a survey plan will likely be required.
Q. Do I have a choice of colours for my kitset home materials?
A. Yes, colour options are available for roofing, aluminium joinery, kitchen cabinets and benchtop surfaces.
Q. What cladding options are available?
A. We can accomodate any cladding requirement on request. However, our standard plans and pricing are based on smooth hardiplank weatherboard or clay brick cladding.
Q. Can Horizon Homes supply foundation materials?
A. Yes, we can supply timber foundation materials based on your specific site plan. Please note this is not included in our standard pricing.
Q. Are your homes suitable for hot and cold climates?
A. Yes, our homes are ideally suited for both hot and cold climates. Because we use high R-Value insulation in ceilings & walls and double glazing our homes can achieve a more consistent temperature throughout the year. Increased insulation results in a home that is cooler in summer and warmer in winter which means increased comfort and lower heating and cooling costs.
Q. What do you mean by increased durability of your homes?
A. In addition to the durability requirements of the NZ Building Code of 50 years on all structural elements, we insist on treated timbers in all high risk areas including exterior framing, bottom plates and including roof members if necessary.
Q. Are your homes weathertight?
A. Yes, our homes are designed to meet or exceed the NZ Building Code and all relevant Standards including structural, durability and moisture requirements. The homes have been specifically designed to minimise the weathertight risk matrix which may include ventilated cavities, extended eaves, window flashings, treated timbers in high risk areas or steel framing and avoiding the use of high risk materials and design features.
Q. Are your homes designed for Earthquake resistance?
A. Yes, Our kitset Homes are designed to New Zealand's advanced earthquake A engineering standards, which are the highest in the South Pacific.
Q. Do the plans include electrical, plumbing & mechanical details?
A. Location of electrical, heating & ventilation, air conditioning, duct work & water heaters are not shown on plans as this will be determined by your personal preferences. Your builder and subcontractors can assist you with selection and placement of electrical fixtures and fittings and other equipment. The only plumbing related information that will be on the plans is the location of fixtures such as sinks, bath, showers, toilets etc.
Q. How much will delivery cost?
A. Please see kitset inclusions for our latest freight charges. We supply nationwide from all main centres. Please refer to our delivery map. All other areas are priced on application.
Q. What is the delivery time from placing an order?
A. We can usually deliver to site, 4 weeks from receipt of your completed order form. We can usually prioritise orders if a shorter delivery time is required.
Q. Can Horizon Homes supply export housing?
A. Yes, however, our pricing is normally based on delivery to a NZ port or location. Please Contact Us to discuss your export requirements.
Q Can Horizon Homes provide a builder in my local area?
A. Yes, we provide a FREE referral service for trade qualified builders in your local area. Please note our list of builders will have a recognised trade qualification and be a member of either the Certified Builders Association or Registered Master Builders Federation and/or a Licensed Building Practitioner.
To find a Certified builder, Master Builder and/or Licensed Building Practitioner in your local area please Click Here.
Q. Can your homes be constructed on timber or concrete floors?
A. Yes, our homes can be constructed on either timber or concrete foundations.
Q. Can you provide a cost to build estimate?
A. Yes, we can provide a fast Cost-To-Build™ estimate.
Simply Click Here to order.
Q. Why do I have to pay for a modification quote?
A. The modest fee allows us to provide a professional quotation service to our customers using our qualified architectural designers. Remember, the $99.95 fee will be deducted from the cost of any modifications work completed. If you decide not to proceed with modifications, the fee will also be credited in full should you choose to purchase one of our standard plans. Simply call 0800 66 38 52 after you have purchased your plans to claim your credit.
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Q. How long does it take to have modifications made?
A. It will vary; depending upon our designers workload at the time and the complexity of the design. It is usually between 2-6 weeks.^ TOP OF PAGE
Q. What are the most common modifications to plans?
A. Changing exterior cladding (brick, plywood, timber weatherboard etc)
• Add or removing a room
• Add/Relocate garage or garage door openings / add or eliminate bays
• Reducing or increasing the size of rooms/living areas
• Changing roof style (Monopitch, Hip or Gable roof)
• Changing roofing materials (Metal, Concrete or Terracotta Tile)
• Rearranging interior walls
• Move/Add/Delete/Resize windows and doors (e.g. for wheelchair access)
• Adding a fireplace to living area
• Adding a deck or balcony
• Changing ceiling heights
• Altering kitchen or bathroom layouts
• Stretching house plans in either width or depth
• Reversing the standard houseplan layout
• Changing a foundation type (timber pile subfloor, concrete slab)^ TOP OF PAGE
Q. Will my quote include an estimate for materials?
A. Kitset material estimates can be provided for minor plan changes. However, complex design changes will require the drawings to be completed before a fixed quote can be provided for kitset materials.^ TOP OF PAGE
Q. Will my modified plans conform to the New Zealand building code?
A. Yes, All of our standard and modified house plans are designed to conform to the New Zealand Building Code. The Building Code provides standards to ensure the structural safety of buildings. They are enforced by your local Building Consent Authority (usually the local city council).
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Q. What if I need to make additional changes after modifications are confirmed?
A. Additional changes requested after the quote has been accepted will need to be quoted separately. This may affect the price and turnaround time originally quoted.
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