NZ Construction Boss Reveals the Real Truth About What’s Actually Happening With House Prices. Photo by Los Muertos Crew.
📢 “The panic’s over — but no one’s reporting it.”
For years, headlines have screamed about skyrocketing building costs across Aotearoa — and sure, things got crazy. But now? The market’s cooling, and no one’s talking about it.
🛠️ In a must-watch NZ Herald interview, GJ Gardner Managing Director Grant Porteous sets the record straight with Ryan Bridge:
“We’ve gone from 20%+ increases to stabilisation. The media hasn’t caught up yet.”
📉 What’s Actually Happening?
🔹 Double-digit growth? That’s last year’s news
🔹 Construction material prices? Finally levelling off
🔹 Labour & demand? More balance = better build timeframes
🔹 New builds in 2025? Smarter, leaner, more competitive
Porteous says the sector has weathered a “perfect storm” of Covid delays, supply shortages, council bottlenecks and inflationary pressure. But now…
✅ Timber’s stabilising
✅ Steel’s more available
✅ Builders are keen — and quoting more competitively
⚠️ “People who think it’s still 2022 pricing are getting the wrong end of the stick.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=163oHBwk-ZI
🧠 What Kiwi Homebuilders Need to Know:
📌 Stop reading last year’s headlines
📌 Start talking to builders now
📌 Take advantage of less competition
📌 Custom builds are back on the table
💬 “If you’re waiting for the ‘crash’ before building — you’ve already missed it,” Porteous warns.
📈 Market Trends to Watch:
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🏗️ Increased build slots becoming available
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🧱 Supply chain issues easing across the board
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📉 Cost escalation slowing dramatically
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💰 Some projects now cheaper to build than buy existing
🧨 Final Thought:
“Building in 2025? It’s nothing like what you’ve been told.”
Forget the fear-mongering headlines. The real story? Opportunity is knocking — if you’re paying attention.