The Categories

Renovation categories

• Renovation up to $500,000
• Renovation $500,000 - $1 million
• Renovation $1 million - $2 million
• Renovation over $2 million

New Home categories

• New Home up to $500,000
• New Home $500,000 - $750,000
• Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 - $1 million
• Bunnings New Home $1 million - $1.5 million 
  
• New Home $1.5 million - $2 million
• Resene New Home $2 million - $4 million 
  
• New Home over $4 million
• Builder's Own Home
• GIB Show Home
• Master Build 10 year Guarantee Multi Unit (Apartments/Duplexes/Terrace Housing)
• Mixed Development

Note: All categories with a price bracket are inclusive of GST.

Craftsmanship Award

Mitre 10 Craftsmanship Award
This award is presented to the entrant who attains the highest score out of the 1300 points available for the Workmanship section of the judging criteria. 

Lifestyle Awards

In addition to the House of the Year award categories, all entries are eligible for the six Lifestyle Awards.

Winners of the Lifestyle Awards will be selected from all entries regardless of their category. There can only be one winner of each Lifestyle Award per regional event providing it meets the points threshold, with no other places awarded.

Only one property wins each Lifestyle Award and to be eligible they must receive at least 90% of the points available with the exception of the Sustainable Award where a minimum of 80% of the points available must be achieved.

Note: The brand associated with sponsoring each of the Lifestyle Awards does not imply that only those homes using those products can be recipients of the award.

APL Environmental and Sustainable Excellence Award
This award recognises and rewards new approaches to building and renovating homes. Judges will consider the way in which the building company has incorporated sustainable principles in the home’s design, choice and installation of materials and in the way in which it has been built.

Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award
The Plumbing World Bathroom Excellence Award will be given to the home with a bathroom that meets the lifestyle and family needs of its owners. Judges look for the bathroom that best demonstrates obvious workmanship quality, specification and installation requirements have been met, and functionality of design and fittings.

Kitchen Excellence Award
The Kitchen Excellence Award will be given to the home that meets the lifestyle, family and entertaining needs of its owners. Judges will look for form and function of the kitchen area including design, workmanship, quality of materials, use of light and space, and overall functionality.

Outdoor Living Excellence Award
The Outdoor Living Award recognises a Registered Master Builder’s commitment to creating a quality home and outdoor living environment that suits the style and personality of the owners. This is awarded to the home that best integrates interior and outdoor living as a seamless expression of the homes design and construction.

Interior Design Excellence Award
This award is given to the home which most demonstrates creative use of interior design, colour and finishes and in doing so reflects the living requirements and personality of the owners. Judges look for creative use of wall coverings, colours, materials and fixtures and the overall synergy between the different design elements.

PDL by Schneider Electric Smart Home Award
A smart home is a home containing a home automation system. This system is used to control any elements such as lighting, climate, entertainment systems, appliances, heating systems, AV, energy metering and/or security. 

Special Award

Special Awards can be awarded at the regional and national level to entrants that the judges deem worthy of special recognition for their story or efforts during the build.

Sapphire Award

Platinum Award

This award is bestowed on builders who achieve outstanding achievement in building excellence and win five or more National Awards, up to two of which can be Lifestyle Awards.