Peter Ray Homes is a local, award-winning home builder with more than 30 years of experience building homes across Canterbury and Marlborough. From their Christchurch office on Blenheim Road in Sockburn, the team helps families move from an empty section to a finished home, whether that means choosing one of their ready-to-adapt concept plans, building on a home and land package in a local subdivision, or designing something entirely bespoke.
The heart of their offering is a broad collection of concept plans, ranging from compact three-bedroom designs to spacious four-bedroom homes of 160 to 304 square metres, in both single and two storey layouts. Each plan can be used as-is or customised to suit the section, the lifestyle and the budget — the team regularly tailors kitchens, living spaces and floor layouts around how their clients actually live.
What sets Peter Ray Homes apart is a genuinely collaborative process. Their Your Stories page is full of real clients: a couple who came in with a tablet full of ideas, a family rebuilding after losing their villa in the 2011 earthquakes, and repeat customers whose friends came back for a second build. The team works alongside clients from the first sketch through to handing over the keys, aiming to keep the experience exciting rather than stressful.
Visitors are welcome to explore their show homes around Canterbury and Marlborough, browse the current feature home, or simply drop into the Christchurch office for a chat. For anyone in the upper South Island dreaming of a new build, it's a friendly, experienced place to start.
For more than 30 years, Peter Ray Homes has been building homes for families across Canterbury and Marlborough. From their Christchurch office at 521 Blenheim Road in Sockburn, this local team has become known for award-winning craftsmanship, a genuinely collaborative process, and a collection of thoughtfully designed concept plans that make starting a new build feel far less daunting.
Whether you already own a section and want a proven design to build on, are eyeing a home and land package in a local subdivision, or have your own ideas for a one-off home, Peter Ray Homes has a path to suit. Their stated aim is simple: to help you create the home you've always dreamed of, with a seamless building experience from first conversation to key handover.
The most popular starting point is the company's collection of **concept plans**. These are complete, ready-to-adapt home designs organised by bedroom count, storey height and size. The four-bedroom range alone spans 22 plans, from the compact 160sqm Damon to the expansive 304sqm Madison with its study, four bathrooms and three living areas. Every plan in the range is a starting point — designs can be modified to fit your section, your lifestyle and your budget.
Prefer to start from a blank page? The **Design & Build** service is for people who want something entirely their own. Peter Ray's designers work with you to craft a unique home, whether you arrive with a rough sketch, a wish list, or — like one couple on their website — a tablet full of saved ideas.
For those who don't yet have land, **Home & Land Packages** pair a Peter Ray design with a section in local subdivisions, simplifying what can otherwise be a complicated two-step process.
One of the best things about working with Peter Ray Homes is that you don't have to imagine the result from floor plans alone. The company maintains **show homes** around Canterbury and Marlborough, where you can walk through real builds, get a feel for the flow and finishes, and talk through what you like with their team. Their current feature home, a 225sqm residence in Richmond, Nelson built from the Mirren concept plan, showcases what they do best: an open-plan kitchen and dining heart with modern appliances, a cosy lounge with a fireplace, four spacious bedrooms, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow from the dining area, living room and main bedroom.
What consistently comes through in Peter Ray Homes' client stories is the relationship. Brent and Caroline valued the stress-free process and the ability to customise — right down to a tailored kitchen island built so Brent could spread out his morning newspaper. Ange and her family chose one of the team's modern designs to replace the villa they lost in the 2011 earthquakes. Guy and Kate chose Peter Ray after two friends had already built with them, and Phil and Vicky brought a tablet of ideas that became their new home. As one client, Victoria from Lincoln, puts it: "We had the best experience with Peter Ray Homes building our forever home. Absolutely perfect."
The team believes building a new home should be exciting and enjoyable, not stressful. They pride themselves on getting to know customers personally and working alongside them every step of the way — from the initial design phase through to handing over the keys.
The Christchurch office at 521 Blenheim Road, Sockburn is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm, and the friendly team welcomes drop-ins, calls and messages. There's also a Blenheim office serving Marlborough clients at 12 Wai Iti Avenue, Redwoodtown.
One thing worth noting if you're planning a visit: the office closes for the holidays from 18 December to 12 January, and show homes close from 18 December to 10 January, so time your trip accordingly. You can also browse their concept plans, show home information and client stories online, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or send a message through their website and one of their consultants will be in touch.
If you're dreaming about a new build in Canterbury or Marlborough, a chat with the Peter Ray Homes team — and a wander through a show home — is a very good place to start.