This was great investment in time and $18. Having very little idea about the building process I went with the expectation that this would give me some insights into what we were venturing into.
Tip #1: Go alone.
This way you can draw out your plan as to what stalls you would like to spend more time on, which ones to browse through and those to leave alone. There is not enough time in the day to see it all and get meaning out of it
Tip #2: Plan your path
Based on your needs (new home, bathroom renovation, home beautification) plan your path in advance. The home show website has got a great page on the exhibitor and a small blurb about what they are all about. Mark the stalls you would like to visit, study the exhibition map and chalk the path.
Tips #3: Prepare a questionaire
This list would be based on the answer you would like an exhibitor to answer. There is not much value in getting to a stall and be given the sales pitch. Remember this is what you want to get out of day.
Tip #4: Time of the day
Though I intended to spend the whole day out there I learnt the show gets less mental after around 3 on the Saturday. So if want to spend just a few hours, I would recommend those time after 3pm. Downside, the free seminars are almost done by then
Tip #5: Carry packed lunch.
Saves time waiting in line for food and/or coffee. Though I could not resist taking time out for coffee.
Most important tip: Have fun! The hard work has been done. You have convinced your partner to leave you alone for the day so make the most of it.
There were 3 free seminars I was interested, thankfully they were clubbed quite well together.
For the builders and mortgage brokers I had a set of question for each of them so that I was comparing apples with apples. See my question list below.
Before all these, I wanted to spend some time with the Auckland council representatives. So thats where I started.
Did not want to keep this too long as wanted to a time boxed amount of time at each stall
Almost 18000 steps and very tired legs I now wait for getting some communications coming through from potential suppliers. I have given them my details and will get the ball rolling a bit further in the next few days for a potential house build.
To the readers of this blog if you have any comments or question please do so via the section below and if you choose to get some more updates on my next stages of the build you can subscribe to my newsletter
First a fews of tips on my strategy for the day.
Having gone to numerous other trade shows, the most dreaded one the 'The Baby Show' with my wife and 2 year old in tag. Well I was in tag with my wife being the major stakeholder of the show. My first tipTip #1: Go alone.
This way you can draw out your plan as to what stalls you would like to spend more time on, which ones to browse through and those to leave alone. There is not enough time in the day to see it all and get meaning out of it
Tip #2: Plan your path
Based on your needs (new home, bathroom renovation, home beautification) plan your path in advance. The home show website has got a great page on the exhibitor and a small blurb about what they are all about. Mark the stalls you would like to visit, study the exhibition map and chalk the path.
Tips #3: Prepare a questionaire
This list would be based on the answer you would like an exhibitor to answer. There is not much value in getting to a stall and be given the sales pitch. Remember this is what you want to get out of day.
Tip #4: Time of the day
Though I intended to spend the whole day out there I learnt the show gets less mental after around 3 on the Saturday. So if want to spend just a few hours, I would recommend those time after 3pm. Downside, the free seminars are almost done by then
Tip #5: Carry packed lunch.
Saves time waiting in line for food and/or coffee. Though I could not resist taking time out for coffee.
Most important tip: Have fun! The hard work has been done. You have convinced your partner to leave you alone for the day so make the most of it.
My Plan
With the goal being building a house my plan was to see as many builders as possible. That was my first list. The second was finance/mortgage stalls. I would have been happy if I got through these two set of stalls. The third if I had time would be to look at kitchen and bathroom products. And if time and energy still permitted, solar solutions and other nice to haves would be next.There were 3 free seminars I was interested, thankfully they were clubbed quite well together.
For the builders and mortgage brokers I had a set of question for each of them so that I was comparing apples with apples. See my question list below.
Before all these, I wanted to spend some time with the Auckland council representatives. So thats where I started.
The Questionnaire
I restricted the approximate size of the house and it being a single level dwelling we were going to build and based my question that criteria.- What was the builders process for a design and build package
- When does the first money exchange hands
- What is a ball park cost for building a house of the size you chose (See if they have displayed plans that compare to your idea and talk to that)
- What is the ball park time estimate for building the above
- Would they project manage the service and allocate a person to communicate with you
- Would they do a free site assessment for some shortlisted properties before we buy them
Did not want to keep this too long as wanted to a time boxed amount of time at each stall
My thoughts on the outing
I thought it was a pretty satisfying and successful day. Got a lot of insight on what lies ahead should we decide to build. The seminars were great. My discussion with the Auckland Council representatives was great. Yes the council, they were friendly, helpful and provided quite few tips on what can be done on their website, reason for delays for consent resources and most importantly got the feeling they may not be the terrible hurdle people say they are. We shall see!Almost 18000 steps and very tired legs I now wait for getting some communications coming through from potential suppliers. I have given them my details and will get the ball rolling a bit further in the next few days for a potential house build.
To the readers of this blog if you have any comments or question please do so via the section below and if you choose to get some more updates on my next stages of the build you can subscribe to my newsletter
Thanks for sharing. Well thought out plan to get the most out of the home show.
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