Jet Construction Ltd

Residential Building - New Homes and Renovations

Your New Home Checklist

Please print and take with you while shopping for your new home to ensure you get all that you need.

🏡 New Wellington Townhouse vs. Older Wellington Home

1. Structure & Safety
Feature New Townhouse Older House Engineered timber framing ✔️ Modern, treated, seismic rated ❌ Older, less resilient Reinforced concrete slab ✔️ Engineered for earthquakes ❌ Minimal reinforcing Seismic bracing ✔️ Meets current NZ standards ❌ Outdated bracing Fire rated intertenancy walls ✔️ Required ❌ Often non compliant Hard wired smoke alarms ✔️ Interconnected ❌ Battery only (if any) Safety glass ✔️ Required in key areas ❌ Often missing Vehicle impact barriers ✔️ Engineered nib walls/bollards ❌ Not required
2. Warmth & Energy Efficiency
Feature New Townhouse Older House Double glazing ✔️ Standard ❌ Usually single glazingFull insulation ✔️ Walls, ceiling, underfloor ❌ Often partial or noneHeat pump ✔️ Standard ❌ Not always presentAirtight construction ✔️ Yes ❌ Drafts commonLED lighting ✔️ Yes ❌ Older fittings
3. Moisture Control & Ventilation
Feature New Townhouse Older HouseGround moisture barrier✔️ Required ❌ Often absentWall wraps ✔️ Required ❌ Older or degradedMechanical ventilation ✔️ Bathrooms & kitchen ❌ Not always presentModern plumbing ✔️ PEX piping ❌ Older copper/plasticModern drainage ✔️ Engineered ❌ May be undersized
5. Electrical & Technology
Feature New Townhouse Older HouseModern wiring ✔️ New, safe ❌ May be outdatedRCD protection ✔️ Required ❌ Not always presentFibre ready ✔️ Yes ❌ Often retrofittedPower outlets ✔️ More, better placed ❌ Fewer outlets
4. Exterior & Weather Tightness
6. Healthy Homes Compliance
Feature New Townhouse Older HouseDrained cavity cladding✔️ Required ❌ Direct fixed commonModern roofing ✔️ New long run steel/membrane ❌ Aging iron or tilesFlashings ✔️ Engineered systems ❌ Older, less effectiveHigh performance joinery ✔️ Yes ❌ Older aluminium/timber
Requirement New Townhouse Older HouseHeating ✔️ Meets standard ❌ Often non compliantInsulation ✔️ Fully compliant ❌ Requires upgradesVentilation ✔️ Mechanical ❌ Natural onlyMoisture control ✔️ Built in ❌ Often lackingDraught stopping ✔️ Airtight ❌ Gaps common
Contact Us here
Licensed Building Practitioner No. 102699