| 121 T T Kelly Deeks Standalone homes bring better returns The term KDR is well-known in Auckland, but still less known down south. Signature Homes - Christchurch North BUILDING For 42 years, Signature Homes has been unlocking the value of its clients’ land and realising the true potential of their sites, and a recent knock-down-rebuild (KDR) project in Christchurch demonstrates the superior viability of a high-end alternative to the affordable multi-unit development. Clients with an earthquake-damaged property on Wairakei Road invited Signature Homes Christchurch North around to discuss the build of their new home once they had managed to sell said property. “We peeked out of their sliding door and discovered an expansive section of 2100sqm,” says Signature Homes Christchurch North design and build manager Nick Fleetwood. “We said, why not put four new homes on this section instead? We thought about multi-units, but there is far more money to be made and far more demand for four standalone, highend, luxury homes. The sale of one is going to finance the entire project.” Nick says the term KDR is well-known in Auckland, but still less known down south. For people who love their neighbourhood but not their house, this solution eliminates the risks involved in costly renovations, as well as providing an opportunity to maximise the potential value in their section. Nick says the financial returns on the Wairakei Rd project were far higher with the standalone homes solution than with a multi-unit development. “We are realising the potential of that site,” he says. “I drive around Christchurch looking at sites every day and see multi-unit developments where people haven’t realised that potential. Yes, it’s an affordable solution, but it’s not what people are wanting in Canterbury. People are wanting a standalone family home with a bit more land – 500sqm will appreciate a lot faster than 120sqm.” Signature Homes’ KDR solution comes with no hidden costs. Putting a strong focus on the site services part of the project right at the beginning, Signature Homes gives KDR clients the full picture of the geotechnical and site works requirements specific to their section, leaving no room for unexpected additional expenses later on. These costs are packaged into a fixed-price contract ensuring a guaranteed completion date as well as a 10-year weathertightness warranty and 10-year structural warranty. “We say our focus on site services is a big point of difference,” Nick says. “On Wairakei Rd, we had to work out how to get the water and wastewater connections to four sites, how to backfill the earthquake-damaged swimming pool to give us a suitable foundation, and how to add turn-around areas and configure the driveway, which already serviced three other properties as well. This property is a real tucked-away gem.” One of the four new homes is for the client, and it has been designed and built using passive house fundamentals, implemented in a functional and cost-effective way. Forgoing the standard requirements and focusing instead on performance, building code and long-term cost efficiency, this home is fitted with European uPVC joinery and a MoistureMASTER ventilation and underfloor heating system, double-lined walls with services run inside interior walls, and woollen batts. Each of the four homes has hydronic heating and has been positioned to block the prevailing easterly wind, while capturing the sun from the west. With three of the four homes now being lived in and thoroughly enjoyed, the fourth home will soon be coming to market. Contact us by calling 03 375 0700 | info@firstchch.co.nz firstchch.co.nz Get in touch to find out why we’re Signature Homes’ trusted supplier of Aluminium, Thermally Broken & Klima uPVC joinery. Builders You Can Trust Building Services Project Management Design & Build T: 027 4769 900 E: info@bcsconstruction.co.nz bcsconstruction.co.nz
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