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The Best Builders in Dunedin

Updated 7 May 2023
Summary:
  • Asking for quotes and picking a builder is a big job and a lot of careful consideration is needed. Whether you're renovating, extending, adding a feature or building a work from the ground up, having a trusted builder is essential. If you're at the quote stage, the next step involves finding a reliable and trusted builder in Dunedin who can take your dream to reality. 
  • To help you and put you in the strongest position, we've handpicked a list of reliable, affordable and trusted builders in Dunedin to save you time and money. 

Our Dunedin builder guide covers:​​​
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How Much Should I Pay a Builder?

As a rough guide, around a third of the budget for any self-build or renovation project goes into labour costs. Unlike basic DIY projects, few people have the skills builders have. Hiring a builder outsources all the risk and project management, including finding specialists for specific work. 

If you project manage the building project yourself, you’ll save on labour costs but be heavily involved in the day-to-day progress. You will also have to manage deliveries, schedule work, assess the quality of work done and come up with a plan if things go wrong. 

Be Aware: Labour shortages are rife all over Dunedin
Right now in Dunedin there is, generally, a lack of builders. Finding tradespeople who are available has become a problem. This means that the most experienced builders are able to command a higher price given the demand for their services. 
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How to Get Realistic Quotes from Builders

Whatever your project, be it a new house or simple extension, getting building quotes is time-consuming but fundamental to your plans. Rush the quote process, and you could be stuck with a big bill, a lousy job, or both. Simply agreeing to the first quote is unwise, as there are many reasons why prices will vary between builder. We outline a suggested process to get the best quotes and ….

Understand what an estimate or quote actually is
The jargon used for building projects can be unfamiliar. To make things simple:
  1. An ‘estimate’ is just that: an informed but non-binding guess of what a job might cost. You will receive an estimate most often on renovation work, where it’s not completely clear what the full extent of the job will be. 
  2. A ‘fixed-price quote’ is an agreed price based on work shown on a drawing or specific design. As long as nothing changes, the fixed-price quote is the total of what you will pay. Any variations to the specific design will incur an ‘extra over’ cost, which will be advised to you before work is carried out.

Be 100% clear about the work required
As you’d expect, the more information you give, and the more specific you are, the more accurate your quote will be. You’ll know upfront what the likely costs are, rather than finding out extras have been added on because your design specification didn’t include important essentials. If your specification is not clear, any fixed-price quote may be meaningless due to the additional costs incurred to complete the project. 

Understand why do quotes vary so much
After completing your design specification, the next step is to ask several trusted builders (our list of top 3 Dunedin builders below is a good start) for a quote. You will almost certainly get a range of estimates and quotes, due to a few factors we explain next:
  1. Demand – Dunedin, generally, is a high-demand building region. Builders know that someone is always willing to pay the going rate, even if that’s not going to be you. For this reason, builders who are available will quote less, whereas those with firm orders booked up months in advance will quote higher, or not at all. 
  2. Single quotes – If you’ve got a pre-existing relationship with a builder, or been referred one in particular, the builder may know you’re only sourcing one quote. This means they know they are setting the market, so it may be higher because you prefer to go with them.
  3. Bait and Upgrade – Builders know that once a job is accepted and work starts, it’s very unlikely they’ll be kicked off. Because everyone loves a cheap quote, a builder pricing low can get a foot in the door. But this shouldn’t be agreed to without full consideration. A cheap quote can quickly be irrelevant if there are charges for additional work not included. This is the major reason why being as detailed as possible in your building specification is essential. 

Warning: Cheap Quote vs Final Cost
  • There’s a big difference between a cheap quote and a quote that offers value-for-money. If one is significantly lower than the others, then be very careful about accepting it.
  • The more detailed the quote, the better, especially around pricing. A
  • price-breakdown that shows everything covered and specifies what everything will cost is best. This lets you compare like-for-like. 
  • If you want more detail, or for some prices to be verified, ask the builder - there is no point in staying in the dark, as you, and you only, are paying 100% of the costs. 
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What Stages are Payments Made to a Builder?

  1. Agree a written specification for when payments will be made. 
  2. Make payments when pre-agreed stages are completed. For example, make a payment when foundations are poured, when brickwork erected, when the roof is completed etc.
  3. As most builders will operate credit accounts at their merchants (i.e. Placemakers, ITM and Carters), so shouldn't require payments in advance. But, cash is king to every business - especially builders. For this reason, do your best to pay on-time as agreed without the builder needing to follow you up.
  4. You may want to agree a retention, i.e 5% for 6 months, or 3% for 12 months, to guarantee against faulty workmanship.
  5. Tell the truth to your builder, and establish a good working relationship by being responsive and reliable. It's a business relationship afterall.

How do I pay a builder?

Most builders accept a range of payment methods, including
  1. Direct Credit (internet banking)
  2. Cheque
  3. Credit Card via the builder's website (this will only apply for smaller-sized transactions, and a surcharge may apply)
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As mentioned above, cash is king to building business. Pay on time to avoid any tension in your working relationship.
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Trusted Dunedin Builders

​Our list below, which is no particular order, covers Dunedin. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Dunedin, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, BuildersCrack, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.

BuildSmart

Base: Willis Street, Dunedin
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.8/5
Website: BuildSmart 
Facebook page: BuildSmart 
Email address: admin@webuildsmart.co.nz
Phone: 021 228 4531 
Service Area: Dunedin
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Provides quality assurance  
  • Full project management from start to finish  
  • Good client communication  
  • Responsive, professional and punctual staff 
  • Value for money  
 
Pros:
  • Licensed Building Practitioners
  • Member of Master Painters
 
Cons:
  • Closed during weekends
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • BuildSmart is a Certified Builders and Licensed Building Practitioners based in Dunedin.
  • They assist with all aspects of the building and construction process, including project management.
  • BuildSmart works on renovations, new builds, roofing and house painting. 

SB 2 Build

Base: Mosgiel, Dunedin 
Hours: 24 Hours 
Google review Rating: 4.4/5 
Phone: 027 479 7532 
Website: SB 2 Build 
Facebook page: SB 2 Build 
Email address: info@sb2build.co.nz
​Service Areas: Mosgiel, Dunedin, Otago ​
 
What customers like: 
  • Great team to work with  
  • Excellent finish  
  • Quick and prompt service  


Services include, but are not limited to: 
  • New Build 
  • Kitchen and bathroom renovation  
  • Urban and rural commercial builds  
  • Seismic strengthening  
  • Warehouse, storage and farming facilities   
Pros: 
  • Licensed Building Practitioner 
  • BCITO Qualified Professionals 

Cons: 
  • None 

Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • SB 2 Build covers all urban and rural commercial builds, warehouse, storage, and rural facilities 
  • Their services include home renovations, including kitchen and bathroom extensions, conversions, and sprucing. ​

Brent Lucas Builders Ltd

Base: Kenmure, Dunedin
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.6/5
Website: Brent Lucas Builders Ltd
Facebook page: Brent Lucas Builders Ltd
Email address: blbl@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 03 488 2884
Service Areas: Dunedin
 
Customer Feedback:
  • Professional, responsive and punctual
  • Gets the job done
 
Pros:
  • Licensed Building Practitioner
 
Cons:
  • Closed during the weekends
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • Brent Lucas Builders Limited is a locally owned and operated building and joinery company located in Dunedin.
  • They’ve been operating for more than 20 years. 
  • They cover all types of jobs in the trade, including renovations, new builds, light commercial builds, or full joinery fit-out. 

​RenoMasters Ltd

Base: Kaikorai, Dunedin
Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 4.5/5
Website: RenoMasters Ltd
Facebook page: RenoMasters Ltd
Email address: office@renomasters.co.nz
Phone: 03 456 3280
Service Area: Dunedin
 
Customer Feedback:
  • They make the process easy and completely stress-free from start to finish.
  • Professional and meticulous builders
  • Provides reasonable pricing  
  • Quick to respond to any enquiries 
  • Does a great job of running the project, including all building work and organising the subcontractors.
 
Pros:
  • Registered Master Builders 
  • Licensed Building Practitioner 
  • Provide regular, real-time updates for owners and landlords
 
Cons:
  • No operations during weekends 
 
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
  • RenoMasters Ltd specialises in residential projects. 
  • They handle all renovation needs, including kitchens, extensions, bathrooms, fences, basements, wallpapering, painting, new builds, insulation, decks and patios.
⚠️​ Disclaimer: MoneyHub.co.nz has no financial or otherwise relationship with any businesses listed on this page. The pricing information provided is for informational and guidance purposes only and may not accurately represent the actual quotes or final bills for individual services. No provider has paid to appear on our website, and this list should not be considered comprehensive. Please research and obtain quotes directly from a range of businesses to ensure accurate pricing and suitability for your needs.