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No matter the size or scope of your project, we’re committed to delivering exceptional results backed by reliable service and expert craftsmanship. Contact us today to discuss your ideas, ask a question
No obligation. Just a conversation about your build.
22 Years
100+ homes
13-yr Ngāi Tahu partnership
99% on time and on budget
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Questions people ask us
before they get in touch.
Honest answers. No jargon.
Getting Started
Costs & Contracts
The Build
Rural Builds
Warranties & Guarantees
How do I choose the right custom home builder in Canterbury?
Choosing the right builder comes down to three things: track record, transparency, and communication. Look for a builder with verified completed projects, fixed-price contracts, and a clear process from quote to handover. Ask how they handle variations, who will be on your site, and what happens after you move in. A builder who answers those questions clearly and without hesitation is a builder you can trust with a major project.
Are Coughlan Homes Licensed Building Practitioners?
Yes. All building work at Coughlan Homes is carried out under a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) licence, as required under the New Zealand Building Act for all restricted and structural building work. Pat’s LBP registration number is BP104129. We are also members of the Registered Master Builders Association, and Pat sits on the Master Builders Executive Committee.
Do I need an architect or designer before getting in touch?
No. You can come to us at any stage of the process. If you already have plans, we work from those. If you are still in the early stages of thinking about your home, we can connect you with architectural and design partners we work with regularly, or we can work with your own designer if you have one. Getting us involved early, before plans are finalised, often means better value and fewer changes later.
How much does a custom home cost in Canterbury?
Every build is different, so a figure without context is misleading. What we can tell you is that our quotes are fixed-price and produced line by line, so the number we give you is the number you pay. Get in touch and we will talk through what your project involves.
What does a fixed-price contract mean?
A fixed-price contract means the price agreed at signing is the price you pay. It is only changed if you change the scope of work. Any variation must be documented, priced, and approved by you before work proceeds. At Coughlan Homes, our in-house quantity surveyor Lawrence builds the quote line by line before anything is signed, which means the starting point is definitive, not a rough estimate.
How much deposit do I need to pay?
We require a 5% deposit to begin work, lower than industry standard. From there, all payments are milestone-based and tied directly to your construction schedule. Your full payment schedule is provided before we break ground so you can plan when funds are needed. You never pay significantly ahead of completed work.
What is the process for building a custom home with Coughlan Homes?
The process runs in seven steps: initial consultation, design involvement, fixed-price quote, contract and selections, the build, handover, and a 90-day post-handover check. Every stage is documented and trackable on Buildertrend, our client-facing project platform. You can see where your build is at any time, and your payment schedule is provided before work begins.
How long does it take to build a custom home in Canterbury?
Build times vary depending on size and complexity. Most Coughlan Homes builds range from 6 to 10 months from contract to handover, not including the design and consent phase. We provide a detailed construction schedule before work begins and programme the build around any critical dates you have.
Do you use your own staff or subcontractors?
Most of the work on your home is carried out by our directly employed carpentry crew. They are trained to our standards and work on our sites consistently. For specialist trades (roofing, waterproofing membranes, joinery) we work with long-term vetted partners whose warranties and producer statements we provide as part of your handover package.
Can I make changes during the build?
Yes. We hold regular site meetings throughout the build and maintain open communication at every stage. If you want to change something, we discuss it, document it, and price it before any work proceeds. Changes are managed through a formal variation process so there are no surprises on either side.
Do you build rural homes in Canterbury?
Yes. Coughlan Homes has been building rural and farm homes across Canterbury since 2013. Rural builds have their own considerations. Site access, services, scale, and the relationship between the home and the land around it. We have extensive experience with these projects and understand what makes them different from a standard residential build.
How far from Christchurch do you build?
Coughlan Homes builds across the wider Canterbury region, including sites an hour or more from Christchurch. Our rural work is primarily in North Canterbury, north of Christchurch towards the Hurunui district, and we have also completed work in mid-Canterbury. Distance is planned for rather than absorbed as it comes. Materials, crew, and specialist trades are scheduled around the site’s access, and on some rural builds the crew has based itself on site for extended periods to hold the programme. If you are unsure whether your property is within range, the quickest answer is to describe the location to Pat.
What needs sorting on a rural site that a town build does not?
Services are the main difference. Power connection distances, wastewater treatment, and water supply all need resolving early, because on a rural property they form part of the build rather than sitting at the boundary already. Site access is the other one, particularly for concrete and crane work. We work through these with the relevant specialists before the programme is set, so they shape the schedule rather than interrupt it.
What is the Master Builders 10-year guarantee?
The Master Builders 10-year guarantee is a structural warranty funded directly by Master Builders. It includes ongoing insolvency cover, which means your protection remains in force regardless of what happens to any individual building company. For the first 12 months, the burden of proof sits with us. If a defect is raised, we must demonstrate it is not our responsibility. After that, structural cover continues for a reasonable period.
What is the defects liability period?
The defects liability period is the window after handover when anything needing attention is our responsibility to put right. For the first 12 months the burden of proof sits with us: if a defect is raised, we have to demonstrate it is not ours. Pat’s 90-day visit falls inside that window deliberately, so most items get picked up while we are still in regular contact with you. Raising something is a phone call to Vanessa or Pat.
What warranties do I get besides the Master Builders guarantee?
Your structural cover comes from the Master Builders 10-year guarantee. Alongside it sit the warranties and producer statements attached to the specific products and trades in your home: roofing installer warranties, waterproofing and membrane producer statements, and joinery supplier warranties among them. Lawrence compiles all of it into one handover package with your selections and finishes booklet, so every guarantee on the home is in a single place with who to contact about each one.