It’s been over ten years since my wife and I decided to design and build our own architectural home in Auckland.
Even though I started my career as an engineer and project manager at Fletcher Construction, there were still many lessons I had to learn the “hard way” as we planned, designed and built our dream family home near Howick Village.
Before and after: Building your dream home
The experience ultimately sparked my return to the building industry. Today, I’m proud to be co-owner of Faulkner Construction – a company that’s been delivering architecturally designed homes across greater Auckland since 1981.
My business partnership with company founder Ross Faulkner (a Licensed Building Practitioner and carpenter) allows me to focus on guiding our clients through their own building journeys – making sure the process is structured, transparent and well-managed from day one.
Building a new home is one of the most exciting – and potentially stressful – projects you’ll ever take on. In the spirit of sharing what I wish I knew sooner, here are my top 7 lessons for anyone thinking about building their own home.
7 things to know:
1. Decide how much you want to spend – and really commit to that number
Oscar Wilde said, “I can resist everything except temptation”. The building process will throw plenty of those your way. Unless you’re truly committed to your budget, you’ll overspend without even realising it.
One of the biggest temptations is to go bigger than you need. People love asking about “cost per square metre” but rarely talk about how many square metres they actually need.
We lived in a 100m² home for two years while we built – and realised how little we really needed. That shaped our goal: build “no more and no less than we would use well.”
2. Make sure your architect is also committed to your budget
Your architect has more influence on the final cost than anyone else. Ask early – and often – if your design is realistic for your budget. And be willing to take their advice onboard.
3. Choose your preferred builder as soon as possible
The biggest trap? Designing your dream home, then going out to tender, only to find out the quotes blow your budget out of the water.
Engage a reputable builder early – ideally one with an in-house Quantity Surveyor – and make them part of the design team alongside you and your architect. That trio is your core project team.
4. Don’t forget to allow for risk
Every architectural home is a one-off. That means risk – and lots of it. If you want your builder to take that risk on, they’ll build it into the price. If you take it on yourself, make sure you allow for contingencies.
5. Make your builder give you a detailed budget and programme
It sounds obvious, but not every builder is strong behind a keyboard. You need a clear, trackable budget – ideally aligned to the build programme – so you can compare estimates to actuals at key milestones.
As Peter Drucker said: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”
6. Get regular progress updates
Things can go off track slowly – then all at once. Ask for regular budget and timeline updates. If something’s slipping, better to know early than late.
7. Remember to enjoy the ride
Building your own home is hard. But it’s also one of the most satisfying things you’ll ever do. When it gets overwhelming, try to zoom out. Remind yourself why you started – and come back to these lessons if you need a reset.
Want to chat?
If you’re planning your own home and want to learn from someone who’s been through it – both personally and professionally – I’d be happy to talk. At Faulkner Construction, we help people build homes they love, with clarity and craftsmanship every step of the way.
