Belco Turns 30 This Year!
Thirty years of building, forty-nine industry awards and hundreds of homes across the Bay of Plenty. Mike, Kathy and Kerry look back on three decades of Belco Homes.
Simple Ways to Give Your Home a Refresh for Spring
With daylight savings now here, longer evenings stretching out, and the garden starting to bloom, it is natural to be excited about the prospect of warmer days ahead. It is a great time of the year to give your living spaces a reset, so here are a few easy ways to freshen up your home. […]
What Does It Cost to Build a House in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty in 2026?
It is the first question almost everyone asks, and the one the building industry is worst at answering honestly. Most builders will tell you it depends. That is true, but it is not helpful. So here is a straight answer, built from current 2026 data, with the sources named so you can check them yourself. […]
Granny Flats and Minor Dwellings in Tauranga and the Western Bay: The 2026 Rules
On 15 January 2026 the rules for building a small standalone dwelling in New Zealand changed for the first time in a generation. You can now build a self-contained home of up to 70 square metres on your section without a building consent, provided it meets a specific set of design conditions. The interest has […]
Building New Whilst Keeping the Old Kiwi Bach Alive - Part 3
Welcome to the third and final instalment of our series: Building New While Keeping the Old Kiwi Bach Alive. If you missed the first two stories in the series, you can catch up here. This featured home is one we are very proud to have brought to life. A much-loved family bach since 2012, the […]
Building New Whilst Keeping the Old Kiwi Bach Alive - Part 2
Honouring a 1930’s Classic Following our look at how homeowners blend history with modern functionality, we’re back with the second story in our "Building New While Keeping the Old Kiwi Bach Alive" series. If you missed our first post—the story of Mike and Kathy’s coastal miner’s cottage—you can catch up here Building New Part 1. […]
Building New Whilst Keeping the Old Kiwi Bach Alive - Part 1
Who doesn’t love the nostalgic appeal of a classic kiwi bach? They carry amazing history, are often built with beautiful native timbers, and effortlessly channel those carefree, holiday vibes. But let’s be honest: what they offer in charm, they often lack in comfort. The reality of these old girls often means frustrating maintenance, watertight issues, […]
Where to Start When Building New
Thinking about building a new home is exciting but knowing exactly how to begin can be overwhelming. With so many decisions to make, it’s easy to feel stuck before you’ve even started. We’ve put this guide together to simplify that first step for you. These five essentials will help you clarify your vision, discover what […]
8 Tips to Keep Your Build Budget on Track
The dream of a new home or renovation in New Zealand often comes with one major anxiety: the budget blowout. With the cost of living currently at an all-time high, financial certainty is more important than ever. While your architect sets the design vision, keeping the final cost in line requires an active partnership; you […]
How is employing a Registered Master Builder going to benefit your building project?
1. Registered Master Builders are quality tested Becoming a Registered Master Builder isn’t a title easily acquired — it’s earned through a rigorous process. Each member is vetted, demonstrating proven building experience, recognised qualifications, site management experience, financial responsibility, and exceptional workmanship (confirmed through checks with previous clients). This stringent process provides assurance that you […]