WHAT IS A SITE EVALUATION AND WHY DO YOU NEED ONE WHEN BUILDING NEW?

You’ve found the perfect block. The view’s unreal. The neighbours are far enough away that you can sing in the shower. The section looks flat enough… until it rains.

That’s when the dream home starts to look a bit more like a slip’n’slide. Out here, the land has a mind of its own - and that’s exactly why every good build starts with a proper look at the lay of it.

It’s called a site evaluation, and trust us, it’s worth its weight in dirt.

So, what even is a site evaluation?

Think of it as your build’s first check-up.

Before anyone starts talking floor plans or foundations, we head out to see how your land behaves in real life — not just what it looks like on paper.

We’re checking things like:

• Slope and contour - how steep it really is, what kind of foundations it’ll need, and how much earthworks you’re in for.

• Soil and drainage - where the water runs (and where it definitely doesn’t).

• Access - can trucks and diggers get in easily, or are we navigating a goat track?

• Sun and wind - what’s warm, what’s wild, and where you’ll actually want to put your deck.

• Power, water and services - because running a cable or pipe half a paddock long adds up fast.

• Local requirements - some sections need consents or extra groundwork to meet council rules.

 Basically, we’re figuring out what your site will let you do - and what it might fight you on.

👉If you’re still shopping for land, check out our guide on what to look for when buying a section before you sign anything. It could save you a few surprises later.

Why it matters (and saves you grief later)

A proper site evaluation can be the difference between:

✅ Building the home you planned, and

😬 Building the one your land forced you into.

When you know your site, you can:

• Choose the right design and orientation.

• Avoid expensive surprises (looking at you, retaining walls).

• Get accurate costings from the start.

• Future-proof your home for how the land behaves long-term.

• Spot potential issues before they become “call the digger” moments.

 We’ve seen plenty of sections that looked simple - until the excavator hit solid rock, or the first downpour turned the driveway into a river. A little time upfront saves a whole lot of swearing later.

What happens during a Classic Builders site evaluation

This is where we roll up our sleeves.

One of our Building Consultants will meet you on site - boots on the ground, not behind a desk.

If you’ve already got land, we’ll walk it with you. Take a good look at access points, sun angles, services, contour, and all the little things that affect your design.

From there, we’ll chat about how you actually live.

Do you want to face the sunrise with your morning coffee? Need room for a shed, the dogs, or the tractor? Keen to tuck the house away from the wind?

Once we’ve got the lay of the land (literally), we’ll start shaping up ideas.

We’ll get the engineers involved if needed, talk through your wishlist, and map out what’s practical — and what might need tweaking.

After that, your Building Consultant gets the drawings sorted, the design signed off, and everything ready to go through to contract.

Then it’s over to your Construction Manager, who handles things right through to handover — with your BC popping back in for the big milestone moment.

No ghosting. No mystery invoices.

Just a clear, upfront process that means you know exactly what’s happening and when.

 👉 Want to know what else your builder should be doing at this stage? Read 4 Things a Builder Should Be Doing Before Giving You a Price.

What we’ve learned from over 25 years on the ground

We’ve been at this long enough to know that land can be full of surprises. We’ve stood on sections that looked bone-dry one week and turned swampy the next.

We’ve found rock shelves where there shouldn’t be, and driveways that looked fine until the first stock truck tried to turn. That’s why we don’t rush this bit. Because once the digger’s in the ground, it’s a bit late to start wondering where the water table sits.

The best builds start from the ground up

A site evaluation might not be the flashiest part of building, but it’s the bit that makes everything else work. It’s how we make sure your plans suit your land - and your budget. 

So, before you get swept up in tiles and tapware, take a moment to make sure your section’s got the green light. We’ll meet you on site, have a yarn, and help you figure out what’s possible - no jargon, no surprises, and definitely no bull.

Classic Builders has been helping Kiwis design and build homes that fit their lives - and their land - for over 25 years. From lifestyle blocks to suburban sections, we’ll help you get your site sorted before a single peg goes in the ground.

FAQ'S: What to know Before Your Site Evaluation

Do I need a site evaluation if my section looks flat?

Yep. Even “flat” land can hide surprises - like poor drainage, soft soil, or tricky access. A quick look now can save you big headaches later.

How long does a site evaluation take?

Usually just an hour or two on site. We’ll walk the property, chat about your ideas, and gather what we need to start shaping up your design and budget.

What do I need to have ready?

If you’ve already got land, just have any survey plans or property info handy. If you’re still hunting for the right block, we can help assess it before you buy - saves a lot of guesswork.

Who does the site evaluation?

Your Classic Builders Building Consultant will meet you on site. If it’s a complex site, we’ll loop in engineers or surveyors to make sure every detail’s covered.

Does it cost anything?

No hidden fees here. A site evaluation’s part of our early Design + Build process - it’s how we set you up with a plan and budget that make sense from day one.

What happens after the site evaluation?

We’ll take what we’ve learned and start sketching up design ideas and costings. From there, your Building Consultant works with you through design sign-off and contract, before your Construction Manager steps in to lead the build.