Home buying costs calculator
Your deposit isn't the only cash you'll need. See the extra costs that come with buying a home in NZ.
What this means for you
See how much extra cash the fees add on top of your deposit, and the typical range these costs fall in.
Compare fee scenarios
These are typical ranges, not fixed prices — see how the total shifts between a low and high estimate.
| Scenario | Extra costs | Total cash needed |
|---|---|---|
| Low estimate | $0 | $0 |
| Your figures | $0 | $0 |
| High estimate | $0 | $0 |
Low and high estimates use the typical ranges cited in the assumptions panel below — your actual quotes may fall outside either end.
Assumptions & sources
Typical NZ conveyancing, building inspection, LIM and valuation fee ranges as commonly quoted by lawyers, inspectors and valuers.
1 July 2026
17 July 2026
Simple sum of deposit plus each cost category. Low/high estimates use typical ranges: legal $1,500-$2,500, inspection $400-$900, LIM $250-$450, valuation $600-$1,200, moving $1,000-$2,000, establishment fee $200-$450.
Deposit, legal fees, building inspection, LIM report, registered valuation, moving costs and loan establishment fee.
Ongoing costs like insurance and rates from settlement onward, and any renovation or furnishing budget.
Costs first-home buyers often forget
Most first-home buyers budget carefully for their deposit, then get caught out by the additional cash needed on top of it. Legal fees, a building inspection, and a LIM report are the big three that apply to almost every purchase, commonly totalling $3,000-$4,000 combined. A registered valuation may be needed if your bank doesn't accept an automated valuation model, particularly for older, unusual, or higher-value properties.
Beyond the transaction itself, budget for moving costs and a buffer for anything that needs immediate attention once you're in — a $400 building inspection doesn't catch everything, and older homes especially can have surprises in the first few months.
Frequently asked questions
Legal/conveyancing fees ($1,500-$2,500), a building inspection ($400-$900), a LIM report ($250-$450), a registered valuation if required ($600-$1,200), moving costs, and sometimes a loan establishment fee. Altogether commonly $3,000-$6,000.
Neither is legally required, but both are strongly recommended. A building inspection checks the physical condition; a LIM report reveals council records like consents, rates and hazards. Skipping them to save money is a common source of expensive surprises.
