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1. All categories are open to current Full and Provisional Members of Master Builders Association (“the Association”).
   1. If, at the date entries close (23rd February 2026), the Full or Provisional Member is subject to an outstanding complaint which has been referred to a Standards Committee or to an ongoing Standards Committee investigation, or hearing process (including awaiting any decision on any hearing) then the Member is not eligible to enter.
   If, after the date entries close (23rd February 2026), but before the announcement of winners the Full or Provisional Member is suspended, expelled, resigns or is the subject of a complaint which is referred to a Standards Committee, their entry will be immediately withdrawn from the competition.
2. Financial review and eligibility – being under financial review does not disqualify a member from entering the competition.
3. All entries must have a Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC) and Practical Completion (PC) at close of entries (23rd February 2026). If this is not received your entry will be withdrawn from the competition. Note you have 2 years to enter from PC.
4. Acceptance of an entry into the House of the Year Awards does not automatically convey that an award will be won.
5. The term house for the purpose of this competition is defined as the primary residence.
6. The entrant as listed in the entry details, must be the member of Registered Master Builders. Members are not permitted to enter on behalf of another company.
7. Homeowner’s acceptance must be received no later than 2 weeks after entries close, that being 9 March 2026, otherwise your entry will be withdrawn from the competition.
8. Entries in the Multi Unit and the Mixed Development categories must provide access for the judges to a minimum of two units and one of each type, i.e. if all one-bedroom units are entered then judges must see two, or in the Mixed Development category where there might be stand alone, terraced and duplex units, three units will need to be judged.
9. Where possible, entries will be photographed at the same time/day as the judging occurs. Judges may also take photos as part of their judging process.
10. Entrants are welcome to provide additional photography providing they meet the HOY photography brief. No discount on entry fee will be given for those who provide their own photography.
11. The photography will be used in a range of promotional activities including the House of the Year Magazines, website, digital displays boards, digital media (including social media) and competition collateral, in media as well as by sponsors. All photos taken will be uploaded onto the House of the Year website and will be provided to Members no less than one week prior to their regional event.
12. The National Craftsmanship Award will be awarded to the highest achieving percentage of the total available workmanship points from all entries regardless of the category, provided it meets the points threshold of 1250 for workmanship (out of a possible 1300). (Or for Multi Units 1050 points out of a possible 1100 points). A percentage is used to ensure fairness across the difference in points available.
13. The National Category Winners of the Lifestyle Awards will be awarded to the highest scoring entry, regardless of the category entered, all entries will be judged for the lifestyle awards as part of their entry. Entrants wishing to be seriously considered for the Sustainable and Environmental Excellence Award and the Smart Home award must provide additional information.
14. There are three National Supreme Awards which will be awarded to the highest scoring Gold Award winner regardless of location. The three Supreme Award categories are:
    • Renovation
    • New Home Under $1 Million
    • New Home Over $1 Million
15. Up to three Regional Supreme Awards can be presented. These will only be awarded if the top Gold Award meets a minimum threshold of 1880. Additionally, a region must have a minimum of 20 entries to have the two New Home Supreme House of the Year Awards presented at a regional event.

Entries

16. Entries are limited to three per Full or Provisional Member, per category, per regional competition.

17. Entry fees:

    • $1,395 + GST — first-time entrant (since 2015) (2nd/3rd entries charged standard fee)
    • $1,945 + GST — non-first-time entries
    • $1,725 + GST — second entry
    • $1,615 + GST — third and subsequent entries

18. All entries must have been completed within two years prior to the competition closing date (23 February 2026).

    Exception: Multi Unit and Mixed Development category entries may be completed within three years prior to entries closing.

    The completion date is the date advised to Master Build Services Limited, or the date of Practical Completion (whichever occurs first).

19. Entries must be at the standard of CCC at the time of judging. Alterations that would result in non-compliance will result in a no award.

    Note: this applies to both the regional and national competitions.

20. Entrants must gain consent from the property owner(s), who must also agree to reasonable promotion of the entry if it wins an award.

    • For Multi Unit and Mixed Development categories, each homeowner must give permission.
    • Owners’ anonymity and privacy will be respected.
    • Owners can choose whether their names appear in event scripts or on certificates.

21. All entries are entered on the basis of progressing to the national competition. Entries may not be accepted for regional competitions only.

22. All entries under $4 million must have a valid Master Build Guarantee accepted in accordance with the rules of Master Build Services Limited, or a waiver lodged with Master Build Services.

    A guarantee or waiver cannot be gained retrospectively.

    If neither is available:

    • The homeowner must provide a signed and dated letter at the time of contract confirmation confirming they were offered a Master Build Guarantee but opted not to obtain one; or
    • A letter from Master Build Services indicating a denial of a guarantee at the time of contract confirmation.

23. A waiver, homeowner letter, or Master Build Services denial letter will not be accepted if a guarantee has been procured from an alternative provider.

24. A guarantee, waiver, or homeowner letter is not required for the Over $4 million category or for the Builder’s Own Home category.

25. Only “Full Contract” contracts are eligible. “Labour only” or “Managed Labour” contracts are not eligible, except for homes that builders personally reside in.

26. Examples of permitted contracts:

    1. RMBA full contract
    2. NZS3910
    3. NZIA full contract
    4. RMBA renovations and alterations contract
    5. Other contracts that would be accepted by MBS for an MBS guarantee.

27. Members who also belong to Certified Builders cannot use a Certified Builders contract for a House of the Year entry.

28. All entries must be received by the designated entries closing date and fees paid in full prior to commencement of judging. Failure to pay prior to judging may result in the entry being withdrawn.

29. Regional boundaries determine where an entry should be placed. Entries must be entered in the region where they are built.

    Any exceptions must be agreed by the National Management Committee and will be considered case by case. In the event of a dispute, the National Management Committee’s decision is final and binding.

30. Incomplete entries will not be accepted. Entries become final on completion of scrutineering and verification by the Association.

31. All entries will be subject to scrutiny by a nationally approved scrutineer to ensure entry in the correct category.

32. All entries must include verification of the contract value as per the inclusions/exclusions on the Entry Form. This may include (but is not limited to) copies of contracts, final accounts, a QS report and floor plans.

33. If scrutineers or judges determine an entry is significantly below building cost (i.e. the dwelling could not be replicated at the time of construction allowing for a builder’s normal costs and margins), the entry may be moved to a more appropriate cost category for its location.

34. Members who obtained membership in the current year may enter properties provided the property was under construction at the date their membership was accepted by the Association.

    If the house has PC or CCC prior to the membership being approved, it cannot enter.

35. Entrants may not use or endorse the House of the Year brand/word type in association with a competitor product/company of the HOY family of sponsors.

    • If awarded a Quality Mark, recipients must comply with the Terms and Conditions of use and protect client confidentiality.
    • Award winners must correctly attribute the specific award won in any promotion or advertising.
    • The wording “House of the Year winner” is unacceptable.

36. Entrants agree to participate in any unpaid media/promotional programmes (e.g. press, TV interviews) for regional and national competitions if applicable.

Categories

37. Entries built or renovated by Full and Provisional Members for themselves are only eligible for entry in the Builder’s Own Home Award.

    This includes homes where key personnel of the Member has a personal interest (e.g. directors, shareholders, spouses, and family trusts), where a conflict of interest could exist.

    This category excludes homes built by the builder for siblings or extended family members. These must be entered into the relevant New Home category and must include a QS report to validate contract price, and meet the Master Build Guarantee or Waiver conditions.

38. Builder’s Own Home is defined as the primary place of residence, holiday home, or any other property where the key personnel of the Member has a personal interest.

39. To be eligible for the Builder’s Own Home category, the property must be in ownership of the builder at the time of regional judging.

40. For Builder’s Own Home, a QS report must be provided to be considered for the Under $1 Million Supreme award; otherwise it will automatically be considered for the Over $1 Million Supreme award.

41. Show homes and spec homes built primarily for show home purposes can only be entered in the Show Home category.

    • Show and display homes must be open to the public for a minimum of 10 days per month and at least two days per week.
    • A show home must be a show home at the time of regional judging.

42. If a show home is sold for residential purposes before regional judging, it must be entered into the relevant New Home category and include a QS report to validate the contract price, and meet the Master Build Guarantee or Waiver conditions.

43. Spec Homes (land and build packages) either fall into the New Home category, or if sold and then leased back to the building company as a show home, must meet the criteria for a show home.

44. Renovation category entries are only accepted if before and after floor plans are supplied.

    • Before photographs are required if you can supply them.
    • Time lapse and building update photographs and/or videos are encouraged.

45. Renovations are defined by the building consent and must have a minimum of 50m² or 25% (whichever is lesser) of the original walls and floor retained, and are eligible for the Renovation of the Year Supreme Award.

46. Multi Unit entries must consist of a minimum of two dwellings that share an inter-tenancy wall/floor/ceiling and are fee simple or unit titled.

    • They may be separate blocks within a development, but must be all the same type (e.g. all duplexes or all terraced units).
    • Must be no more than 12m in height (maximum 3 levels) and defined by their external walls.
    • Maximum of 3 entries per entrant is permitted.
    • Each unit within a block must have its own Code Compliance Certificate.
    • Entrants must provide access to at least two units for judging.
    • Entries cannot contain standalone units. If your development contains standalone units, enter the Mixed Development category.
    • If your development includes a mix of terraced and duplex housing, enter the Mixed Development category.

47. Mixed Development entries contain standalone units and/or a mix of duplex/terraced and standalone units.

    • Entrants must provide access to at least two units for judging.
    • At least one of each type of unit must be available for judging.

48. Multi Unit and Mixed Development properties, if eligible, will automatically be entered into the Under $1 Million Supreme Award.

    Note: If scrutineering indicates the per-unit cost appears to exceed $1 million, the entrant must supply a QS report to remain eligible for the under $1 million supreme award; otherwise it will be eligible for the over $1 million Supreme Award.

49. Properties that have previously been judged and/or received an award may not be re-entered, with the exception of new renovations.

Judging and Scrutineering

50. Judges, scrutineers, and photographers are required to complete a Confidentiality Agreement as part of their involvement in the competition.

51. The decisions of the judges and scrutineers are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding these decisions.

52. All entries are judged solely by visual inspection for the purposes of the House of the Year competition, and for the benefit of the Association.

    This judging does not constitute an assessment of the house or property for any other purpose, and should not be relied upon for any reason beyond the competition.

53. All entrants must ensure that the person in charge of controlling the site at the time of the build is present at the time of judging.

    A sales representative alone is not sufficient to address any technical queries the judges may have.

54. Entrants must make their property available for judging within the nominated judging period.

    Only significant events may result in rescheduling, at the discretion of the National Management Committee.

55. Scrutineers must be satisfied that an entry has been submitted in the correct category before judging begins.

    • Judges and scrutineers may move entries into other categories or disqualify entries if they believe the entry has been submitted in an incorrect category.
    • Entrants will be notified of any such decision.
    • Judges may also move an entry following judging, provided the entrant is notified.

56. All entrants must provide a map with directions to their property to assist judges.

57. Entrants and owners must not contact judges for direct feedback on the judging process or results.

    Failure to adhere to this condition may result in:

    • Disqualification from the competition, and/or
    • Exclusion from submitting future entries.

    This includes approaching judges at Regional or National Awards Events for feedback.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Recipients and Regional Category Winners

58. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, together with Category Winners, will be awarded regionally.

    More than one Gold, Silver or Bronze award may be given in any category.

59. Bronze Awards are awarded to entries that achieve at least 75% of the points available.

    Silver Awards are awarded to entries that achieve at least 82.5% of the points available.

    Gold Awards are awarded to entries that achieve at least 90% of the points available.

60. Regional Category Winners are awarded to the entrant with the most points in the category, provided that the entrant is a Gold Award recipient.

61. Supreme Awards (Renovation of the Year and House of the Year) can only be awarded to Gold Award winners.

    A Regional Supreme Award will only be awarded if the Gold Award meets a minimum threshold of 1880.

62. In addition to the Supreme Renovation Award, two Supreme House of the Year Awards can be presented in a region, provided there are a minimum of 20 entries.

    They are for:

    • New Homes Under $1 Million
    • New Homes Over $1 Million

63. A maximum of 100 Gold Award recipients will progress to the National Top 100 Award status.

64. Quality Marks may only be used by the company that has won the award, and only in accordance with the associated guidelines and the Association’s brand guidelines (including franchise rules).

    • Use is restricted to the company that received the award.
    • It cannot be passed to another company or extended to associate companies or franchisees.
    • You may only use the awards under the legal entity for which the award was won.
    • Awards are not transferable to future entities.

National Top 100 Award Recipients

65. Fee Structure: Each National Top 100 Award recipient must pay a national entrant fee of $715 + GST. This fee contributes to costs associated with the national competition and the gala event. If the same builder has a second entry into the Top 100 in the same year, the fee for that entry is $350 + GST. Any additional entries beyond the second in the same year will not incur any further charges. The fee covers two tickets to attend the National Awards Gala and a contribution toward national judging costs. The National Top 100 Finalist recipient fee will be invoiced upon selection as a National Top 100 Finalist.

    This fee will be invoiced upon selection as a National Top 100 Finalist.

66. If a Top 100 Finalist cannot proceed to the national competition (for example, if the owner removes permission for the property to continue), the company will retain its Top 100 Award status.

    In this situation, the entry will not be judged or considered for a national title, and the Top 100 entry fee is not required.

67. Notice must be provided to Master Builders National Office within two weeks of being notified of selection as a Top 100 Finalist (24 August 2026) if the entrant is unable to continue.

    After this time, the Top 100 fee is payable.

68. To continue in the competition as a Top 100 finalist, the properties must be rejudged by the national judging team.

    This does not apply to the Multi Unit and Mixed Development categories.

    Regional scores cannot be used for the National Competition.

69. National Top 100 Award recipients (or a representative from their company) are required to attend the National Awards event in November each year.

70. Entrants must receive a minimum total score of 1800 points (a gold-level score) at the National Judging level to be eligible to win a category award.

    If no entries in a category reach 1800 points, there will be no winner for that category.

Sapphire Award Recipients – Regional

71. Achievement of a Sapphire Award is based on a company (which must be the same company in name and substance over the duration of time in which the awards were achieved) achieving three or more Regional Supreme Awards.

    This applies to awards achieved in either renovation or new builds.

72. Recipients must be current Full Members of the Association at the time of receiving the award.

    Members who have subsequently resigned or retired are not eligible.

73. Members are eligible to receive one Sapphire Award only.

    This represents the highest accolade that can be achieved in the regional awards programme.

Platinum Award Recipients – National

74. Achievement of a Platinum Award is based on a Member (which must be the same Full Member in name and substance over the duration of time in which the awards were achieved) achieving five or more National titles.

    These may include National Category, Craftsmanship or Sustainable and Environmental titles.

    A minimum of three Category titles applies.

    National Lifestyle Awards (Bathroom, Kitchen, Outdoor, Interior Design and Special Awards) are excluded from eligibility for Platinum.

75. Recipients must be current Members of the Association at the time of receiving the award.

    Members who have subsequently resigned or retired are not eligible.

76. Companies are eligible to receive one Platinum Award only.

    This represents the highest accolade that can be achieved in the national awards programme.

General

77. Any grievances or complaints must be submitted in the first instance in writing to the House of the Year National Management Committee.

    This is for review, comment, consultation and resolution.

78. Parties involved in this competition (including Association representatives, judges and scrutineers) are acting purely for the purposes of this competition.

    Their involvement, including assessments, comments and decisions, cannot be relied upon for any wider purpose.

    For example, an award in this competition must not be relied upon by any homeowner or future purchaser as an endorsement of any particular aspect of a dwelling or its construction.

    The parties do not accept any liability of any kind (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) arising from this competition.

79. Any entrant failing to comply with these Terms and Conditions, or breaching the Association’s Constitution or Code of Conduct, may be:

    • Disqualified from the competition, or
    • Referred to a Standards Committee under the rules of the Association

80. The House of the Year Management Committee reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions or issue binding rulings on any matter not included.

    Such decisions shall be final.

81. If an entry is withdrawn, any refund will be based on how far along the management process the entry is at the time of withdrawal.

    Refunds will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.