An Otago Daily Times Advertising Feature
How The Awards Are Judged
Each category is judged by one panel of judges against a scorecard with a maximum amount of points that can be allocated of 2000.
New Home categories are judged against two major criteria:
-Workmanship which includes structure, external cladding and roofing, weather-proofing, installation of products, finishing and general workmanship; and
-Design, functionality and style which includes functionality and design, fit to site/access/entrance, aesthetic appeal/coherence and future proofing.
The Renovation category has three major criteria:
-Workmanship as above; and
-Retention or creation of character and future-proofing
Awards are given depending on the threshold of points achieved:
-A Bronze Award winning property is very good, having achieved 1500 of the points available (or 75%)
-A Silver Award winning property is excellent having achieved1650 of the points available (or 82.5%)
-A Gold Award winning property is exceptional having achieved 1800 of the points available (or 90%)
The highest scoring Gold Award is the Category Winner, with Category Winners only in the New Home and Renovation categories, being eligible for one of the Supreme Awards.
This year's categories and how they're judged
Renovation Awards
These awards are open to all renovations and restorations and include three price categories: Up to $250,000; $250,000 -$500,000; and over $500,000.
When judging renovations, consideration is given to workmanship, and creation or retention of character with the integration into an existing home.
New Home Awards
These awards recognise excellence in building and workmanship and are open to all new homes built within the past two years. They are judged within price brackets, with judges considering workmanship, design, functionality and style to determine winners.
This year's new home categories include New Homes under $250,000; New Homes $250,000 - $350,000; $350,000 - $450,000; $450,000 - $600,000; $600,000 - $1million; $1million - $2million; and New Homes over $2million.
Feature Home Awards
These awards celebrate special characteristics of new home building and are not eligible for consideration for a Supreme Award.
The Builder's Own Home Award is an award for a builder's own home, including new homes and renovations built by a Registered Master Builder. This is not a price-based category.
The Show Home Award is open to show homes and spec homes and may, or may not, have been lived in at the time of entry.
Lifestyle Awards
All entrants in the residential award categories are automatically judged for each of the Lifestyle Awards. Only one property wins each Lifestyle Award and to be eligible they must receive at least 90% of the points available.
Bathroom Excellence Award - given to the home with a bathroom that best meets the lifestyle and family needs of its owners.
Heart of the Home Kitchen Award - given to the home with a kitchen that best meets the lifestyle, family and entertaining needs of its owners.
Sustainable Award - recognising excellence in sustainable building principles and where energy efficiency was a significant consideration in the design process.
Outdoor Living Award - given to the home that best integrates interior and outdoor living as a seamless expression of the home's design and construction.
Supreme Awards
In 2013 there are two Supreme Awards available:
1.The Supreme Award for the Registered Master Builders House of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding entry in the 2013 New Home categories.
2.The Supreme Award for the Registered Master Builders Renovation of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding entry in the 2013 Renovation categories.
To find out more about these awards, go to www.masterbuilder.org.nz or call 0800 762 328.
How the competition works
Gold = 90% or more of the points available
Silver = 82.5% or more of the points available
Bronze = 75% or more of the points available
These award winners are announced at eleven regional events throughout New Zealand between July and August.
At these regional events, the Gold Awarded properties in each category are eligible for Category Winner and these Category Winners are then eligible for the Supreme Awards.
The top residential Gold Award winners become national finalists, announced in September. The competition culminates with national category and Supreme Award winners being announced at a gala dinner in Auckland in November.