The home-building and renovation process in New Zealand is often plagued by hidden costs, project delays, and a lack of transparency. At Honest, we believe there’s a better way. Our mission is simple: to give homeowners complete control over their build while ensuring full financial transparency and top-tier workmanship. Why Honest? Total Financial Transparency Traditional builders often add hidden margins to contractor fees and material costs, making it difficult to know exactly where your money is going. At Honest, we operate on an open-book pricing model, meaning every dollar is accounted for. You’ll have direct access to supplier and contractor rates, eliminating unnecessary markups. Control Over Your Project With Honest, you’re not left in the dark. Our industry-leading project management software ensures you have real-time updates, clear timelines, and full visibility into your project's progress. No more waiting for callbacks or wondering when work will start—everything is at your fingertips. Handpicked, Vetted Contractors Finding reliable tradespeople can be stressful. We’ve done the hard work for you by vetting top-quality contractors with proven track records. Our network of builders, electricians, plumbers, and other trades ensures you get skilled professionals who deliver on time and to the highest standard. No More Budget Blowouts Budget overruns are one of the biggest pain points in home construction. At Honest, we provide accurate cost breakdowns from day one, and because we don’t mark up prices, you can trust that you’re getting the best deal possible. Flexible, Customised Solutions Every homeowner has different needs. Whether you’re building from scratch, renovating, or making upgrades, we tailor our approach to fit your project. You remain in control, with the flexibility to make decisions that suit your style and budget. Who is Honest For? First-time home builders who want clarity and control. Cost-conscious homeowners looking to avoid inflated pricing. Custom project clients seeking flexibility and transparency. Homeowners dissatisfied with traditional building experiences who want a smoother, stress-free process. Ready to Build with Confidence? At Honest, we’re changing the way New Zealanders build and renovate. If you’re planning a project and want a transparent, cost-effective, and hassle-free experience, let’s chat. Visit our website or contact us today to see how we can help make your dream home a reality—without the hidden costs.

Building a new home is one of life’s biggest investments, but many homeowners are blindsided by hidden costs that inflate their budget far beyond initial quotes. At Honest, we believe you deserve to know exactly where your money is going. That’s why our transparent, open-book pricing model eliminates hidden margins and gives you full control. So, where do these hidden costs sneak into traditional builds? Let’s break it down. 1. The Hidden Builder’s Margin In traditional construction It’s common for builders to add a 15%-30% markup on subcontractor and supplier invoices. This means that even if you’re paying for materials and labour, you’re also covering an undisclosed profit margin. With Honest: We remove the middleman markups, giving you direct access to subcontractor and supplier rates. You see exactly what materials and labour cost—no surprises, no hidden profits. 2. Inflated Supplier Costs Many builders have pre-arranged deals with suppliers that include kickbacks or inflated pricing. Homeowners end up paying more without knowing they’re funding hidden incentives. With Honest: You get direct supplier accounts—no third-party markups, no hidden deals. We negotiate transparent pricing, ensuring you pay what the materials are truly worth. 3. Change Order Markups Ever noticed how simple changes—like switching a countertop material—suddenly cost much more than expected? Traditional builders often markup change orders significantly, profiting from your customisation. With Honest: Our transparent process means you see the real cost of changes, without inflated fees. Flexibility is key—we make changes easy and fair, not an opportunity to increase margins. 4. Hidden Labour Charges In some builds, labour costs can be padded with extra hours or overhead fees that aren’t clearly explained. You end up paying more for work that might not reflect the actual time or effort required. With Honest: We work with vetted, transparent contractors who provide clear labour rates. Our project management tools allow you to track progress and costs in real-time, ensuring fair billing. 5. Project Management Fees Buried in Quotes Traditional builders often bundle project management fees into quotes without breaking them down, making it hard to know what you’re really paying for. With Honest: We offer clear, upfront pricing for project management. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for oversight and support—no buried costs. The Honest Difference: Complete Financial Clarity At Honest, we don’t believe in smoke and mirrors. Our open-book pricing gives you: ✅ Direct access to supplier and contractor rates ✅ Real-time updates through industry-leading project management tools ✅ Full visibility into your project costs, every step of the way No hidden margins. No surprises. Just honest building. Ready to take control of your build and avoid unnecessary markups? Contact Honest today and discover how transparent construction can save you money—and stress. Building a new home is one of life’s biggest investments, but many homeowners are blindsided by hidden costs that inflate their budget far beyond initial quotes. At Honest, we believe you deserve to know exactly where your money is going. That’s why our transparent, open-book pricing model eliminates hidden margins and gives you full control. So, where do these hidden costs sneak into traditional builds? Let’s break it down. 1. The Hidden Builder’s Margin In traditional construction It’s common for builders to add a 15%-30% markup on subcontractor and supplier invoices. This means that even if you’re paying for materials and labour, you’re also covering an undisclosed profit margin. With Honest: We remove the middleman markups, giving you direct access to subcontractor and supplier rates. You see exactly what materials and labour cost—no surprises, no hidden profits. 2. Inflated Supplier Costs Many builders have pre-arranged deals with suppliers that include kickbacks or inflated pricing. Homeowners end up paying more without knowing they’re funding hidden incentives. With Honest: You get direct supplier accounts—no third-party markups, no hidden deals. We negotiate transparent pricing, ensuring you pay what the materials are truly worth. 3. Change Order Markups Ever noticed how simple changes—like switching a countertop material—suddenly cost much more than expected? Traditional builders often markup change orders significantly, profiting from your customisation. With Honest: Our transparent process means you see the real cost of changes, without inflated fees. Flexibility is key—we make changes easy and fair, not an opportunity to increase margins. 4. Hidden Labour Charges In some builds, labour costs can be padded with extra hours or overhead fees that aren’t clearly explained. You end up paying more for work that might not reflect the actual time or effort required. With Honest: We work with vetted, transparent contractors who provide clear labour rates. Our project management tools allow you to track progress and costs in real-time, ensuring fair billing. 5. Project Management Fees Buried in Quotes Traditional builders often bundle project management fees into quotes without breaking them down, making it hard to know what you’re really paying for. With Honest: We offer clear, upfront pricing for project management. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for oversight and support—no buried costs. The Honest Difference: Complete Financial Clarity At Honest, we don’t believe in smoke and mirrors. Our open-book pricing gives you: ✅ Direct access to supplier and contractor rates ✅ Real-time updates through industry-leading project management tools ✅ Full visibility into your project costs, every step of the way No hidden margins. No surprises. Just honest building. Ready to take control of your build and avoid unnecessary markups? Contact Honest today and discover how transparent construction can save you money—and stress.

In New Zealand’s construction industry, cost overruns are one of the biggest concerns for homeowners. That’s why fixed-price build contracts have become a popular choice, offering clients transparency and certainty around their project costs. At Honest Build, we take this one step further—delivering a structured pricing model that protects homeowners from unexpected price hikes while ensuring fair compensation for quality workmanship. What’s Included in Our Fixed Pricing? A true fixed-price contract should cover all aspects of a project, from materials and sub-trades to project management and council fees. At Honest Build, we use a Quantity Surveyor (QS) to provide the most accurate labour cost estimates possible, ensuring that even the most variable aspects of a build are well accounted for. The only thing we don’t lock in is the actual build labour cost—as this can fluctuate due to market conditions. However, by leveraging accurate QS data and built-in contingencies, we minimize the risk of cost increases for our clients. Extra Protection with Insurance Even with detailed cost planning, unforeseen expenses can arise—especially in today’s unpredictable market. To address this, we are in discussions with an insurance provider to offer coverage for unexpected cost increases, ensuring homeowners are shielded from sudden price surges. The Honest Build Difference By combining detailed cost forecasting, contingency planning, and insurance protection, our approach provides the best of both worlds: fixed pricing with flexibility where it matters. This ensures that homeowners can proceed with confidence, knowing their dream home won’t turn into a financial nightmare. If you’re planning to build and want certainty without hidden surprises, talk to us at Honest Build—where transparency is the foundation of every project. Building a new home is one of life’s biggest investments, but many homeowners are blindsided by hidden costs that inflate their budget far beyond initial quotes. At Honest, we believe you deserve to know exactly where your money is going. That’s why our transparent, open-book pricing model eliminates hidden margins and gives you full control. So, where do these hidden costs sneak into traditional builds? Let’s break it down. 1. The Hidden Builder’s Margin In traditional construction It’s common for builders to add a 15%-30% markup on subcontractor and supplier invoices. This means that even if you’re paying for materials and labour, you’re also covering an undisclosed profit margin. With Honest: We remove the middleman markups, giving you direct access to subcontractor and supplier rates. You see exactly what materials and labour cost—no surprises, no hidden profits. 2. Inflated Supplier Costs Many builders have pre-arranged deals with suppliers that include kickbacks or inflated pricing. Homeowners end up paying more without knowing they’re funding hidden incentives. With Honest: You get direct supplier accounts—no third-party markups, no hidden deals. We negotiate transparent pricing, ensuring you pay what the materials are truly worth. 3. Change Order Markups Ever noticed how simple changes—like switching a countertop material—suddenly cost much more than expected? Traditional builders often markup change orders significantly, profiting from your customisation. With Honest: Our transparent process means you see the real cost of changes, without inflated fees. Flexibility is key—we make changes easy and fair, not an opportunity to increase margins. 4. Hidden Labour Charges In some builds, labour costs can be padded with extra hours or overhead fees that aren’t clearly explained. You end up paying more for work that might not reflect the actual time or effort required. With Honest: We work with vetted, transparent contractors who provide clear labour rates. Our project management tools allow you to track progress and costs in real-time, ensuring fair billing. 5. Project Management Fees Buried in Quotes Traditional builders often bundle project management fees into quotes without breaking them down, making it hard to know what you’re really paying for. With Honest: We offer clear, upfront pricing for project management. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for oversight and support—no buried costs. The Honest Difference: Complete Financial Clarity At Honest, we don’t believe in smoke and mirrors. Our open-book pricing gives you: ✅ Direct access to supplier and contractor rates ✅ Real-time updates through industry-leading project management tools ✅ Full visibility into your project costs, every step of the way No hidden margins. No surprises. Just honest building. Ready to take control of your build and avoid unnecessary markups? Contact Honest today and discover how transparent construction can save you money—and stress.

The construction industry is no stranger to innovation. From power tools to Building Information Modeling (BIM), advancements have continuously improved efficiency and accuracy. One of the latest game-changers is Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the building takeoff process. By leveraging AI-driven tools, contractors, estimators, and project managers can now complete takeoffs with unparalleled speed and precision, ultimately saving time and money. What is a Building Takeoff? A building takeoff, also known as a material takeoff (MTO), is a crucial step in construction planning. It involves measuring and quantifying materials needed for a project, ensuring accurate cost estimates and procurement planning. Traditionally, this process was manual, requiring estimators to painstakingly analyze blueprints and extract material requirements—a time-consuming and error-prone task. The AI Advantage in Takeoffs AI-powered takeoff software is transforming the industry by automating and optimizing this essential task. Here’s how: 1. Speed and Efficiency AI-driven takeoff tools can process construction drawings in a fraction of the time it takes a human estimator. Advanced algorithms quickly scan and extract data from blueprints, reducing the need for manual input. This rapid turnaround enables contractors to bid on more projects and start work sooner. 2. Enhanced Accuracy Traditional takeoff methods are prone to human error—miscalculations, omissions, and misinterpretations can lead to costly mistakes. AI minimizes these risks by accurately identifying materials, dimensions, and quantities based on predefined data models. This ensures more precise cost estimates and reduces the likelihood of budget overruns. 3. Cost Savings By streamlining the takeoff process, AI reduces labor costs associated with manual measurements and data entry. Additionally, improved accuracy means fewer material shortages or over-purchases, optimizing project budgets. Over time, these savings contribute to higher profitability for construction businesses. 4. Seamless Integration with Other Tools AI-powered takeoff solutions often integrate with estimating, project management, and procurement software. This connectivity ensures smooth data flow, allowing teams to make informed decisions without duplicating efforts. For example, AI takeoff software can automatically populate an estimate or bill of materials (BOM) within a project management system, eliminating redundant work. 5. Scalability for Any Project Size Whether working on a small residential build or a large commercial development, AI takeoff tools scale to meet project demands. Their ability to handle vast amounts of data quickly makes them ideal for contractors managing multiple projects simultaneously. The Future of AI in Construction Takeoffs As AI continues to evolve, we can expect even greater advancements in building takeoff technology. Machine learning algorithms will further refine accuracy, and AI-powered tools may begin predicting material costs and project timelines based on historical data. This level of intelligence will provide construction professionals with deeper insights, helping them navigate challenges with greater confidence. Conclusion AI is undeniably transforming the building takeoff landscape, bringing speed, accuracy, and cost savings to an industry that thrives on precision and efficiency. By adopting AI-driven takeoff software, construction firms can stay ahead of the competition, reduce project risks, and improve profitability. The future of takeoffs is digital—and AI is leading the way.