Financing the project

Financing your renovation or build can be achieved in a number of different ways, depending on your current financial situation and the size of your project.

Construction loan

Construction loan or home loan?

A construction loan is a common way to finance the build of your new home, or for major renovations. But if you already own a home and have plenty of equity, you may find that a regular home loan suits you better.

To find out what loan type would suit your needs, contact one of our Construction Lending Specialists to talk through your position.

Benefits of a construction loan

12 months conditional approval, so you have plenty of time to find the right section and plan your build
interest-only during the construction period, to help reduce your outgoings during the build
up to 12 months repayment holiday* to help manage your cash flow during the build – especially handy if you’re trying to build and pay rent or an existing mortgage at the same time
no annual account fees for 2 years on a new Westpac credit card of your choice^# (excludes World Mastercard® & Mastercard BusinessCard)
as little as 10% deposit is required for fully managed turn key new builds**.

Types of construction loans

Turn key

This is a single fixed-price contract with the builder that specifies a completed property or renovation. The property is ready to live in, including:

major landscaping (fences, retaining walls)
drives and pathways
decorating (painting, floor coverings).

There is no more money to spend, no more work to do.

Those contracts may need to include a Master Builders Guarantee or a Certified Builders Guarantee.

For a new build, the contract sometimes includes the land purchase.

The minimum deposit required for turn key contract is usually 10%.

Build only

This is a single fixed-price contract with a builder that specifies a completed property or renovation to a completely liveable and compliant condition.

The owner is responsible for completing some finishing work themselves or may have other contracts in place.

The minimum deposit required for build only contract is usually 20%.

Partial contract

A partial contract involves a range of sub-contracts managed by the customer or a project manager, and/or a labour only arrangement with contractor(s). This type typically includes relocated and kitset homes. In the case of kitset and relocated homes, the lending is generally limited to the land value only, until the buildings are permanently attached.

The minimum deposit required for partial contract is usually 35%.

Here’s how a construction loan works

First you'll need to get a valuation done to estimate how much the home will be worth when it’s completed.
We'll review the valuation and let you know how much you can borrow, and once you’ve set up a contract with your builder, will make each payment directly (with your deposit being used first).
As the building begins, the construction loan is paid in agreed stages. Your contract with the builder may set out how much is paid at each stage, and the building will need to be inspected and certified at each stage to say the work has been done (and therefore has a certain value at that stage). If you’re borrowing quite a lot of money you may even need to get interim valuations done by a registered valuer.
During the project you only pay interest on the money already drawn down, and you don’t start repaying the loan itself until the project is finished. A construction loan is usually on a floating interest rate.

Talk to us early on before you build

If you think you’ll need to borrow money, come and talk to us early on so we can let you know how much you might be able to borrow, and the best way to go about it.

Talk to a Construction Lending Specialist

Finance your renovations

When it comes to renovating you have several options, depending on the size of your project. You could:

1. Apply for a home loan – for medium to large projects

A home loan can be set to the 'interest only' repayment option, to help keep costs down while the work is going on. You can change the repayment option once the project is completed.

2. Use your Westpac Choices Home Loan buffer or get a top up – for small to medium projects

If you have a Westpac Choices Floating or Offset home loan and are under your loan limit (because you've been paying more than the minimum repayment amount), you can draw the extra money out any time without having to reapply. If you have a Choices Everyday home loan, you can use this facility at any time up to the agreed limit. Or if you need more and meet our lending criteria, you can ask us for a top up - and if approved - we can usually arrange it on the spot.

3. Use a credit card for small projects, or buying materials and appliances

You could get the limit on your card reviewed or apply for a new one just for your project, so you can pay suppliers, buy materials on sale and get up to 55 days free credit.

How much can I borrow?

How much can you borrow for building or renovations?

The amount you can borrow for your build or renovation depends on the current or projected value of your home, your project and your ability to repay the money – factoring in your income and the repayments.

To get an exact answer, talk to one of our Construction Lending Specialists or visit your nearest branch. In the meantime here are some general guidelines for how much you may be able to borrow:

if you’re topping up your loan for some simple renovations then – up to 80% of your home’s value
for major building work – up to 90% of your home's projected value for fully managed turn key contracts, up to 80% for a partial or build only contract, or up to 65% for labour-only contracts
if you’re buying a residential section – up to 80% of the land value and up to 90% of the projected completed value when you build on it if you use a fully managed turn key contract.

Depending on the amount you want to borrow, you may need to get valuations at different stages of the project. And a caution: cost overruns are common during building work, so keep track of your budget as the project goes on. That way you can make adjustments as you go rather than find out later you can’t afford to finish!

What do I need when I apply to finance my build or renovation?

This varies depending on the finance option you choose, but details about your income, assets and outgoings are essential.

For larger projects and construction loans you could also be asked for your building contract, a valuation report, and the sale and purchase agreement for your section or home (if this applies).

Talk to a Construction Lending Specialist

What things cost

Cost guides for the building process

From architects to builders, valuers’ reports to consents, here are some handy tips and a rough guide to how much you might expect to pay for elements of the building process.

For PIM and engineer’s reports

It's a good idea to get a PIM (Project Information Memorandum) report about your piece of land before you buy, which you can get from your local authority, and if you have any questions about the suitability of the site, get an engineer’s report too.

For design and documentation

If you want something designed especially for you, you'll need to employ an architect, designer or draughtsperson. Some builders do supply design services, and some companies include the design as part of a package.

For a builder

If you're using an architect they can manage this process for you. If you're finding your own builder, ask people you know for recommendations and get several quotes.

Find out more on who LBPs are and when you need to use one here.

For a valuation

A registered valuer can give you a valuation based on your plans. You'll need this for your loan, but it can also help ensure you don't pay too much, or spend too much on renovating an older home.

Another professional who can help you check that you're paying the right price for your build is a registered quantity surveyor (some suppliers also do this job for free). They work out the quantities of materials required for a job.

For plans and consents

Depending on the nature of your project, you may need to get resource or building consents from your local authority, based off your plans. Your architect or builder may arrange these as part of their contract with you.

If your project requires building consent and relates to the primary structure of your home, or affects its weathertightness, it's considered ‘restricted building work’ and must be done by or under the supervision of a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). You’ll need to include the name of your LBP in your building consent application to the council.

More information on when an LBP is required

View Terms and Conditions

*No principal repayments will be required and interest costs will be added to the loan. The cost of interest capitalisation will be included in the approved total home loan amount and must not take the total LVR over 90%. The repayment holiday will end on the earlier of 12 months following the initial drawdown or one month following the final construction drawdown.

#Trusts, businesses, and loans with 3 or more borrowers are not eligible. Only available to customers who have not previously held a Westpac credit card. After 2 years the standard annual account fee for the applicable card at that date (which may be higher than the current rate) will apply. Cannot be used in conjunction with other promotional offers other than a balance transfer offer.

** If lending is over 80% LVR (loan-to-value ratio) for owner occupied properties or over 65% LVR for investment properties, it must be a new build with a single fixed price contract that specifies a completed, ready to live in property. Applications must include Master Builders Guarantee or a Certified Builders Guarantee, which includes ‘non-completion’ cover.

Westpac Contract Works Insurance is not guaranteed and will be underwritten on a case by case basis. The availability of any insurance is not guaranteed and is subject to the acceptance and approval of a complete application. Terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply to insurance cover and more details can be found in the relevant policy document, which is available at www.westpac.co.nz/insurance or on request by contacting us on 0800 809 378. Westpac Contract Works Insurance is arranged by Westpac New Zealand Limited (“Westpac”) and underwritten by IAG New Zealand Limited (“IAG”). Westpac does not guarantee the obligations of, or any products issued by Lumley, a business division of IAG. Westpac may receive commission payments as a result of the arrangement of Lumley insurance policies. Fee discounts and waivers only apply to any new credit cards or insurance policies. Westpac’s current credit card lending criteria apply to all applications and transfers. Credit Card Conditions of Use apply. hotpoints® is a registered trade mark of Westpac Banking Corporation. Hotpoints terms and conditions apply. You can get a copy of the current disclosure statement for Westpac New Zealand Limited from any Westpac branch in New Zealand free of charge.

Westpac’s current home loan lending criteria and terms and conditions apply. An establishment charge and a Low Equity Margin may apply. An additional fee or higher interest rate may apply to loans if the application is accepted but does not meet the standard lending criteria.