How soon do you need to move?
Buying can be faster. Building takes longer, but gives you time to make considered choices before you move in.
Build vs buy
Most kiwis buy existing homes.
Buying may get you into a home sooner, but for around the same price, building can give you a home shaped around your own style, your family and the way you want to live.
Compare the optionsA smarter way to compare
Build new or buy existing?
Both paths can work. This is the honest comparison we give people at their first site visit, so you can weigh what matters most to you.
Build New
Buy Existing
What you are buying
A home shaped around your life, section and budget
A finished home shaped around someone else’s priorities
A home shaped around your life, section and budget
A finished home shaped around someone else’s priorities
Design freedom
Choose the layout, materials and details that matter to you
Work within the layout, light and storage already there
Choose the layout, materials and details that matter to you
Work within the layout, light and storage already there
Warmth and efficiency
Modern insulation, glazing and building standards from day one
Performance depends on the age and condition of the home
Modern insulation, glazing and building standards from day one
Performance depends on the age and condition of the home
Maintenance and peace of mind
Brand-new materials, fewer early surprises and a 10-Year Master Build Guarantee
Repairs and upgrades can be harder to predict
Brand-new materials, fewer early surprises and a 10-Year Master Build Guarantee
Repairs and upgrades can be harder to predict
Cost beyond purchase
Spend your budget on the home you actually want
Renovations and improvements can quickly add to the total cost
Spend your budget on the home you actually want
Renovations and improvements can quickly add to the total cost
Time to move in
More time upfront to design and build well
Usually the faster way to move
More time upfront to design and build well
Usually the faster way to move
Long-term fit
Designed for the way you live now, with the future in mind
You may keep adapting the home as your needs change
Designed for the way you live now, with the future in mind
You may keep adapting the home as your needs change
What matters most
The right choice depends on what you value most.
How much do you want to shape?
An existing home asks you to work with what is already there. Building lets you decide where your budget and attention should go.
What will it cost beyond day one?
Compare more than the purchase price. Think about heating, maintenance, renovations and the cost of compromises over time.
Rural “We built with Sentinel homes last year. The quality is exceptional and the build journey was stress free.”
Fraser Osborne
Rural “Sentinel homes were fantastic to work with. Andrew's attention to detail, design suggestions, communication skills and project management made the process enjoyable and easy. Highly recommend this company if considering building a home. His building contractors and all his other service companies were also excellent to work with.”
Julie Otene
Rural “Designing a home can be overwhelming however Sentinel made this very easy for us and designed a beautiful home. Their communication is excellent and they are very professional. We love their work and highly recommend Maree and her team at Sentinel Home.”
Hugo and Nelmare Venter
Rural “We find building our home with them was one of the best decisions we made. Everyone who visits us comments on the finishing and workmanship. That says a lot. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.”
Fal Patell
Rural “All the pricing was really transparent and the build came in right on budget, we’d definitely build with them again. We absolutely love this house.”
Wendy & Dale Williams
Rural “The team at Sentinel homes exceeded our expectations. Our new home is energy efficient and gorgeous.”
Jessica Lee
