The Best Builders in Tauranga
Updated 7 May 2023
Summary:
Our Tauranga builder guide covers:
- 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 Tauranga 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 Tauranga to save you time and money.
Our Tauranga 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 Tauranga
Right now in Tauranga 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.
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 Tauranga
Right now in Tauranga 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:
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 Tauranga 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:
Warning: Cheap Quote vs Final Cost
Understand what an estimate or quote actually is
The jargon used for building projects can be unfamiliar. To make things simple:
- 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.
- 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 Tauranga 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:
- Demand – Tauranga, 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- Agree a written specification for when payments will be made.
- 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.
- 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.
- You may want to agree a retention, i.e 5% for 6 months, or 3% for 12 months, to guarantee against faulty workmanship.
- 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
As mentioned above, cash is king to building business. Pay on time to avoid any tension in your working relationship.
- Direct Credit (internet banking)
- Cheque
- Credit Card via the builder's website (this will only apply for smaller-sized transactions, and a surcharge may apply)
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 Tauranga Builders
Our list below, which is no particular order, covers Tauranga. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Tauranga, location and data extracted from internet reviews on Google Business, BuildersCrack, Facebook, TradeMe Services and others.
Calley Homes Limited
Base: Second Avenue, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Calley Homes Limited
Facebook Page: Calley Homes Limited
Email address: office@calleyhomes.co.nz
Phone: 07 543 4052
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Calley Homes Limited
Facebook Page: Calley Homes Limited
Email address: office@calleyhomes.co.nz
Phone: 07 543 4052
Customer Feedback:
- All works are completed to a high standard
- Great people to work on and off-site
- Listens to the client’s requirements before proceeding with the project
- Professional and organised
- High-quality workmanship
Pros:
- Has a team of highly skilled and qualified builders and craftsmen
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Calley Homes Limited is a family-owned and operated building company that started in 2008
- Provides high-quality building standards in Tauranga, Mt. Maunganui and Papamoa
- Offers onsite consultation, building design, pre-consent, working drawing and building construction
Fairbairn Builders Limited
Base: Bellevue, Tauranga 3
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Fairbairn Builders Limited
Facebook Page: Fairbairn Builders Limited
Email address: info@fairbairnbuilders.co.nz
Phone: 021 180 6555
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Fairbairn Builders Limited
Facebook Page: Fairbairn Builders Limited
Email address: info@fairbairnbuilders.co.nz
Phone: 021 180 6555
Customer Feedback:
- Offers helpful advice and works closely with the architect to ensure the plan goes well and as expected
- Good client communication
- High-quality workmanship with a professional finish
- Approachable and informative staff
Pros:
- Provides regular updates to the client every step of the way
- Works within the client’s allotted budget
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Fairbairn Builders Limited is based in the Bay of Plenty, providing renovations, alterations and new house building service to Tauranga area
- Licensed Building Practitioner and a member of Certified Builders
- A registered member of the Master Builders Associations practising outstanding project management skills to ensure a smooth building process
- Provides home renovation, new home build, extensions and remedial building work
Landmark Homes NZ
Base: Cameron Road, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Landmark Homes NZ
Facebook Page: None
Email address: Not specified
Phone: 07 578 2295
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Landmark Homes NZ
Facebook Page: None
Email address: Not specified
Phone: 07 578 2295
Customer Feedback:
- Good client communication
- Provides extensive support and advice throughout the process
- Trustworthy and confident in what they do
- Pays great attention to detail
Pros:
- Upfront with the expected costs
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Landmark Homes NZ provides a home building service that’s being franchised across New Zealand
- Their business was first established in Tauranga and had been operating for over 40 years
- Has built an excellent reputation due to their high-quality workmanship, value for money and professional designs
- Provides building design, new home construction, remove and build
The Thorne Group
Base: Mount Maunganui, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm, Sun 12 pm – 3 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website: The Thorne Group
Facebook Page: The Thorne Group
Email address: clare@thornegroup.co.nz
Phone: 0800 716 129
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm, Sun 12 pm – 3 pm
Google Review rating: 4.9/5
Website: The Thorne Group
Facebook Page: The Thorne Group
Email address: clare@thornegroup.co.nz
Phone: 0800 716 129
Customer Feedback:
- Quick to action and highly responsive
- Outstanding project management
- Fast turnaround time
- Down to earth builders
Pros:
- Comprised of qualified builders and professionals
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- The Thorne Group is a design and building company in Tauranga that specialises in both small and large architectural homes
- Offers small residential building, construction of large architectural homes and architectural service
​Tauranga Builders
Base: Gate Pa, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Tauranga Builders
Facebook Page: None
Email address: louis@taurangabuilders.nz
Phone: 0274 699 579
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Tauranga Builders
Facebook Page: None
Email address: louis@taurangabuilders.nz
Phone: 0274 699 579
Customer Feedback:
- Delivers a high standard of workmanship
- Punctual and honest builders
- Easy to work with
- All works are completed on time
Pros:
- Manages the projects well
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Tauranga Builders is a Licensed Building Practitioner creating new spaces and homes within the Tauranga area
- It is a locally-owned and operated building company accepting residential and commercial management roles
- Offers renovation, new home builds, house extensions, alterations, bathroom renovations and more
Straight Up Builders
Base: Omanawa, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Straight Up Builders
Facebook Page: Straight Up Builders
Email address: garret@straightupbuilders.co.nz
Phone: 027 656 0026
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 7:30 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Straight Up Builders
Facebook Page: Straight Up Builders
Email address: garret@straightupbuilders.co.nz
Phone: 027 656 0026
Customer Feedback:
- Makes the whole building process smooth and enjoyable
- Performs with a high level of workmanship
- Always punctual and good to work with
- Solves any unexpected problems they come across with
Pros:
- Has a team of skilled builders and qualified carpenters
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Straight Up Builders has been in the industry for more than eight years providing quality builds at competitive prices
- Helps with renovations and home constructions
- A registered member of NZ Certified Builders Association and a Licenced Buiding Practitioner
- Includes service for renovations, relocations, restorations, project management, recladding and house remodelling
Davy Construction
Base: Otumoetai, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Davy Construction
Facebook Page: Davy Construction
Email address: info@davyconstruction.co.nz
Phone: 021 244 3676
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Davy Construction
Facebook Page: Davy Construction
Email address: info@davyconstruction.co.nz
Phone: 021 244 3676
Customer Feedback:
- Easy to work with, honest and reliable builders
- Provides client with helpful information as well as the price involved
- High-quality workmanship
- Good client communication
- Works with great attention to detail
Pros:
- Known for having the latest building innovations and design solutions
- A Licensed Building Practitioner
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Davy Construction is a fully licensed and certified construction builder in Tauranga that has been operating since 2013
- Specialises in home re-cladding and new builds
Jafa Construction
Base: Welcome Bay, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Jafa Construction
Facebook Page: None
Email address: Not specified
Phone: 07 544 7333
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 9 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Jafa Construction
Facebook Page: None
Email address: Not specified
Phone: 07 544 7333
Customer Feedback:
- Empathetic and considerate of their client’s situation
- Patiently works on any difficulties
- High-quality workmanship
- Good organisational skills
Pros:
- Provides reasonable prices on their services
- A Licensed Building Practitioner
- A member of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Jafa Construction has more than 22 years of experience in the industry
- Provides quality home construction and renovation service in the Tauranga area and across the Bay of Plenty
- Offers home renovations, bathroom renovations, new home construction and commercial construction
Topline Carpenters
Base: Gate Pa, Tauranga
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Topline Carpenters
Facebook Page: Topline Carpenters
Email address: ricki@toplinecarpenters.co.nz
Phone: 022 125 7807
Customer Feedback:
Pros:
Cons:
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
Hours: Mon to Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Google Review rating: 5.0/5
Website: Topline Carpenters
Facebook Page: Topline Carpenters
Email address: ricki@toplinecarpenters.co.nz
Phone: 022 125 7807
Customer Feedback:
- Punctual, helpful and polite workers
- Good client communication
- Consults the client every step of the way
- Finds the best solution to fit the clients’ budget
Pros:
- Offers reasonable price
Cons:
- None
Important Must-know Facts and Services:
- Topline Carpenters is a Licensed Building Practitioner and Master Builders serving the wider Bay of Plenty
- Specialises in renovations and re-cladding of residential properties
⚠️ 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.
