The smarter, fairer finance option for builders

At Squirrel, we like to turn traditional banking on its head. There's no reason why you should be slammed with extra fees and high interest rates to fund your build. That's why we've come up with a better way.

Builder wearing hard hat, smiling
Swoosh
Frame of a house under construction

Why use Squirrel for turnkey funding?

  • Fair pricing leaves more in your back pocket
  • Simple streamlined process means less paperwork
  • Get better margins on turnkey
  • Faster build times
  • More buyers

Three reasons why you should be thinking about turnkey

House key in hand

1. It increases the size of your available market.

A number of buyers can't do house-and-land packages: First home buyers with less than 15% deposit, upgraders with an existing mortgage and retired buyers who need to sell first. 

Builder hammering a nail

2. Turnkey reduces the risk and speeds up your build.

You control the build process and progress payments rather than leaving it with the buyer and their lender.

Toy house with stacks of coins in front

3. Chances are, you'll get a higher price.

With turnkey, your buyer also has less risk, finance is easier and they won't have to fund it themselves.

Option 1: Presold turnkey

This is where a builder has a buyer for a property we will fund up to 80% of the agreed purchase price on the sale and purchase agreement (excluding GST.)

No registered valuation is required which saves you money. In most cases we are happy to work with the agreed price provided the buyer is unconditional and has paid a deposit.

Option 2: Spec build turnkey

Squirrel will fund up to 70% of a registered valuation or 70% of land at purchase price for a residential house under construction that has not yet been sold.

If you get a sale part way through, we’re happy to increase it to 80%.

We're committed to helping the NZ build industry improve processes, reduce costs and build more new homes.

Get in touch today and let's discuss what you want to do, and how we can help make it happen.

Progress payments minimise paperwork

Squirrel will advance your funding against our standard progress schedule*, check out the table for the breakdown.

What do you need to provide Squirrel?

For progress payments, we only require a photo of the build and a photo of the latest council inspection.

How do you know if you’re eligible for Squirrel Turnkey lending?

  • You will belong to a reputable industry body (Master Builders or
    Certified Builders)
  • Your business will have been trading for a minimum of 2 years
  • Good credit history
  • Part of a group builder or demonstratable good systems and
    controls

Squirrel's credit policy:

  • Maximum loan per house build of $1,000,000
  • Maximum lending per builder of $2,000,000
  • Maximum LVR 70% of registered valuation or 80% of sale price
Progress Funds advanced
Excavation 7.50%
Floor down 7.50%
Framing complete 15%
Roof on, wrap and cavity 10%
Enclosed 25%
Lined 15%
Prepaint 10%
Completion 10%


*We are happy to agree to an adjusted schedule with builders if your build process is different.

Choose the right type of lending for your project

Meet our team of experts

These advisers live and breathe property, and know the build process inside out.

Not sure who to talk to? No worries

Give us a bell on our main line, or book a chat and someone will give you a call.

Don’t just take our word for it

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See for yourself what our clients think with 1,438 five star reviews on Shopper Approved.

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Victoria

New Zealand

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Outstanding guidance and service from Adam. I don't know why someone wouldn't use Squirrel. Accessible responsive knowledgeable understanding of our situation and goals and making it all so easy, we were so grateful to work with Adam and Squirrel and recommend the them both without hesitation!

LM

Luke Murray

New Zealand

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It was a great experience. The refinance helped me greatly and put me in a position to keep my apartment

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Christa

New Zealand

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A huge thank you to my advisor, Kat. She worked so hard to get a mortgage offer for me. She admitted that as I did not tick all of the boxes, she would have to present my case differently. I'm so grateful that she didn't give up on me, as other mortgage brokers had. She is so hard working, clever, lovely and friendly. I would recommend Kat to anyone looking to purchase a house.

MK

Mark Karen

New Zealand

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We've used Squirrel investment and mortgage services. On the investment front, we found it easy to use and the interest rates were excellent, selling our investments was easy when we needed to as well. Mortgage services were great too - Emma listened to what we needed, and our circumstances and got us a fantastic deal. The process was smooth from start to finish, with excellent communication and advice along the way.