Kitset vs Traditional Build: Which Is Best for Your Lifestyle Block?
Building your dream home on a lifestyle block comes with big choices — and one of the first is whether to go with a kitset home or a traditional build. Both options can deliver a beautiful home, but the right choice depends on your goals, budget, and how involved you want to be in the process.
What Is a Kitset Home?
A kitset home is a pre-designed, precision-cut package of building materials, delivered to your site ready to assemble. At Customkit, that means locally sourced New Zealand timber, engineered barn-style portals and trusses, and architectural plans designed for your land and your lifestyle.
Instead of starting from scratch, you’re starting with a framework that’s already thought through—making the process smoother, faster, and often more cost-effective.
Traditional Build: Pros and Cons
Traditional builds are typically managed by a building company that handles everything — from design to construction. While they offer a single point of contact from design through completion, which can make the process feel less daunting, there is often less flexibility. You may have a limited range of designs to choose from, or face hefty fees for any customisations.
Kitset Homes: Why More Kiwis Are Choosing Them
With a kitset build, you decide how hands-on you want to be. If you are a builder, you can do it all yourself. Otherwise you can manage the project with chosen trades, or work with a builder who specialises in kitsets. This latter option offers a great compromise between the amount of control you have over your design, and the amount of time and effort required of you.
Benefits of kitset homes:
Cost-effective with reduced waste and faster build times.
Flexibility to manage your own budget and contractors.
Designs that suit lifestyle blocks, barns, and rural settings.
Authentic Kiwi timber, sustainably sourced and locally manufactured.
Which Option Is Right for You?
If convenience matters most, a traditional build might suit. But if you value flexibility, control, and a design that truly works with your land, a kitset home could be your best option.
At Customkit, we specialise in helping Kiwis bring their lifestyle vision to life with kitset designs that are fully customisable. Whether you’re a DIY builder or working alongside trusted trades, our team will support you every step of the way.
Download our brochure or get in touch today to explore kitset options for your lifestyle block.
