When you hear the word ‘value’, your mind probably jumps straight to budgets, affordability, and costing spreadsheets.
Although this is obviously one of the most important factors for anyone looking to build a home, true value goes way beyond just the numbers.
We had a chat with Maree van de Water, Sentinel’s Auckland North & West franchise owner and Managing Director, about what value means to her, and her advice on how you can make sure you’re getting the most out of every single part of your build.
When we first brought up value with Maree, the first thing she pointed out was how much added value comes out of having a strong relationship with your builder that goes beyond just ticking the boxes. “For us, adding value is part of the entire process, from the time we meet someone in our show home through to the final handover,” she says. “Having someone you can trust who will walk alongside you throughout the whole journey and ensure you're getting the best value at every stage makes a big difference.”
We also discussed in-depth how this relationship makes a big difference for the Sentinel team in being able to make sure that they’re designing and building a home that perfectly suits the family living there. “Everyone wants the ‘very best’ home, and how to define that is to understand what best suits your clients,” Maree explains. “It’s being able to maximise their budget by understanding what makes the biggest impact for them. That could be suggesting a big mud room adjoining the garage because they’ve got four kids who are into sports, or ensuring spaces are acoustically comfortable for a couple who value peace and quiet.”
One thing Maree says to look out for when choosing a builder is whether they do their homework and really put in the effort to understand what’s important for you and your whānau. “Are they asking questions like, ‘What’s your family dynamic?’, ‘How do you use indoor and outdoor spaces?’, and ‘How do you like to use your home during the day vs. at night?’ These are the sort of questions we ask to deliver what our clients are looking for, both from the point of view of design and budget.”
According to Maree, another way the right builder provides value is through the experience and expertise they can bring to your project. “One of the most important things we bring to the build process is the fact that we’ve been through it hundreds of times.”
This experience allows the team to support clients in making smarter decisions for both their home and their budget. “Building a house is the single biggest investment you’re going to make, so every single square metre needs to do a job,” she explains. “We have the knowledge and expertise to provide innovative ways to make your home work beautifully through clever design, smart storage solutions, and thoughtful layouts. Everything we do is designed to maximise both function and design.”
This wealth of experience has also helped the Auckland North & West Sentinel team make sure they have the right people in the right roles to deliver effectively and efficiently. “We do a great job of delivering the right information at the right time, and ensuring that every step of the process adds value and supports the client to get the most out of their build,” says Maree.
When looking for a building partner, Maree’s advice is to take a look at their previous work and think about the attention to detail and overall feel of the spaces they’ve delivered. “I know I’ve never built the same house twice,” she says. “At the end of the day it’s about building inspiring quality homes that we're really proud of.”
For Maree, value isn’t just in the finished home, it’s in making the entire building journey as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. “Designing and creating a home should be really exciting,” she explains. “So one of our goals is to do what we can to make this a fun, enjoyable process.’”
To achieve this goal, Maree and the team reviewed their entire process to ensure the client experience is positive at every stage. “We talked in depth with our clients to better understand what provided a good experience for them and what was missing," she explains. “Now we’ve put in place a range of moments throughout the journey that we do, and it makes a difference! Part of this is around making sure clients know what to expect around size, budget, and timelines, but we’ve also added in gifts and milestone moments along the way to celebrate with our clients. For example, when the slab goes down, we deliver a packet of Whittaker slabs and have a little celebration.”
Maree advises that you keep in mind the long-term relationship you’re getting in to when picking a builder, and how they’re going to support you throughout the entire journey. “This is a relationship that can last over a year, sometimes two, depending on the complexity of the build,” she explains. “With the right guidance, the right team can turn what could be a stressful project into an exciting journey, from the first design discussion all the way to that moment when you have your glass of champagne on the deck at the end.”
When asked what she values most, Maree explains it’s not just in the design, the finishes, or even staying on budget, it’s in the experience and the impact the home has on the people living in it.
“The biggest affirmation is when clients reach out five years later to say, ‘I love living in this home!’. This is why we do what we do.”
Looking to build your own home? Get in touch with your local Sentinel Homes team today and try us out.
Let’s get together for a free, no-pressure meeting with one of our team, at your place or ours.
We can't wait to hear your ideas!
