A new home must achieve the minimum NZ Building Code. There is however an increasing acknowledgement that building beyond the minimum provides value in terms of reducing ongoing heating or cooling operating costs and
general increased comfort.
Building beyond the minimum also potentially future proofs one of your most important assets, meaning it will not be outdated as new builds are completed to a higher minimum standard than exists today. Your asset may be more comfortable, more sustainable and subsequently it is potentially more marketable resulting in an easier sale or an increased sale price. Homestar is a rating tool from 6 stars to 10 stars and when achieved certifies your home or development at a standard above the minimum Building Code.
Homestar assessments are typically undertaken in two stages. The first is a design rating assessment and the second is a built rating assessment. The design rating tests the current design against the Homestar criteria, and we advise of any changes to the design to achieve a 6 Homestar rating (or higher if you are targeting a higher rating). After construction we complete a site visit to check that the construction was undertaken in compliance with the assessed drawings and compile any relevant supporting documents. Builds that tick off all of the design requirements are recommended for Homestar certification.
We work with your designer as part of the design process to increase the comfort of your home. Seeking an increasing Homestar rating provides greater comfort, reduces energy use and further future proofs your investment.
We can assess your design and recommend certification of your home as Homestar at any of the star ratings 6 through 10.
To be even more attractive to prospective purchasers and tenants you can aspire to the HomeFit and HomeFit Plus standards.
To be even more attractive to prospective purchasers and tenants you can aspire to the HomeFit and HomeFit Plus standards.
These standards achieve more than the Health Homes minimum standard and differentiate your property, and potentially your most important asset, as being more warm and comfortable. The HomeFit standard includes increased standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and water conservation. The HomeFit Plus standard includes all these earlier items but to an even higher standard including more insulation (including wall insulation), more energy efficient lights, energy efficient heating, and energy efficient hot water.
A HomeFit assessment is undertaken on existing buildings. If you are building new you will want to be measured against the Homestar standard.
We can inspect, assess and certify your property as being a Healthy Home as well as recommend certification of HomeFit or HomeFit Plus. We also provide the added value of checking compliance with smoke alarms including location and type.
Residential buildings in NZ are built to different living standards due to their location, age and importantly, the standard initially selected by the owner.
Healthy Homes is a minimum standard all buildings should aspire to, but some are required to achieve. From July 2021 all buildings that are rented to a new tenancy must be Healthy Home compliant, and from July 2024 all tenanted residential dwellings must be Healthy Home compliant.
A Healthy Home assessment, as well as being mandated in rental situations, has other benefits. For example, if you are selling your home a Healthy Home assessment means is will be more attractive to a prospective purchaser because it demonstrates:
The Healthy Homes standard includes minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draughts. We can inspect, assess and provide a report of your property against the Healthy Home standards. We provide the added value of also checking compliance with smoke alarms including location and type.
