After many years of experience we highly recommend a builder who can offer a credible third party guarantee.

No matter how much homework you’ve done, building a home carries a level of exposure that, while it can be managed and mitigated, it can’t be completely eliminated.  For example, we never know for sure what could go wrong until it does. And you are paying for something in advance -  for a home you have seen only on paper.

In most instances you will be required to secure through your builder a third party guarantee. A third party guarantee is simply a guarantee offered through an independent body or insurer.

Registered Master Builder's Association (Master Builder's Guarantee Options) and NZ Certified Builder's Association (Halo Guarantee) both offer comprehensive guarantees. Independent builders can also provide a comprehensive guarantee through Builtin Insurance (Builtin 10 Year Building Warranty), which is backed by Lloyd’s of London.

Several larger building company guarantees have also been accepted by NewBuild. 

Summary of benefits of a third party guarantee:

• Loss of deposit (up to certain limits) should your builder not be able start your project once you have paid your deposit 
• Non completion (getting a new builder in to finish the project) 
• Structural defects (workmanship and materials) after completion of your home for an agreed number of years 
• Mechanisms to manage dispute resolution

Your loan offer may require you to ensure your builder can provide this guarantee. You also need to ensure your guarantee is in place BEFORE you pay the unconditional deposit to your builder to ensure your deposit is protected.

 When you have only an equity deposit (your deposit is in the value of the land) and where NewBuild will be making a deposit payment on your behalf, we will only make that payment once your guarantee is in force.