Who we are
& what we do

During this session we will cover all of the big topics.
 
TIME FRAMES
When to start and how long it will take, as well as any possible hold ups and how we can avoid them.
 
COUNCIL
What consents you might need, how to apply to get them and how the council process works.
 
PRICING
What sort of costs can you expect and what type of contract will best suit you and your project.
 
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Who is responsible for doing what, when, where and why.
 
MATERIALS
Understanding claddings, fittings and fixtures, paint, kitchen and bathroom designers, and the many choices you’ll need to make as your project becomes a reality.

We can use existing approved plans to put together a brief costing of your job, or if you don’t currently have plans drawn up, we can suggest a reputable architect or draughtsman to help you transfer your thoughts and dreams onto paper. They will then take these through to the council approval stage for you.

If you’re unsure of what to do at any stage don’t stress, we’ll be there to walk you through the whole process in order to make everything easier for you.

We offer either fixed price or cost plus margin, with each having their own advantages and disadvantages. Below is a breakdown of what each entails. We can help guide you on which pricing model will suit your project and needs best.
 
With our experience comes accurate costing and the ability to break down each stage of your project from start to finish. This gives you the assurance of knowing the cost of your build, so you know where your money is being spent and that time-frames are being met. We will often work with a Quantity Surveyor (QS) for larger jobs.
 
FIXED PRICE
Gives you a fixed sum of what the build will cost, based on what you decide you want prior to the signing of the contract. The main benefit of going for a fixed price contract is that the agreed upon cost of the build is exactly that – fixed. There’s still the chance to make changes during the build, but the down side is that with a fixed price contract, each time you deviate from the agreed plan, additional paperwork is required, meaning more time and money is spent. If you know exactly what you want prior to the beginning of the build, this is a good option for you, as you won’t have to worry about budget blowouts.

COST PLUS MARGIN
There’s no cushion added as you will often find with fixed price. With the estimated cost break down, you pay for exactly what is needed and nothing more. However, there’s no contingency figure added as there is in a fixed price, to cover any unforeseen costs that may arise during the build.

Charge up contracts offer more transparency with your invoices – a copy of every receipt for every dollar spent, i.e. for all materials, sub-contractors and labour completed to date. You’re always able to review and query invoices before payments are made for your peace of mind. Of course any changes will be discussed prior so you have ample time and are aware of the best options for the proposed changes, and any potential impact they may have on the overall budget for the job.

For more detail on the differences between fixed price and cost plus margin contracts read our blog article here.

Once we’ve agreed upon either fixed price or cost plus margin, we’ll present you with a full building contract. Allowing you time to check it over with your solicitor prior to signing, this will outline our responsibility to you, the extent of work, insurances, time period and payment schedule. We’ll also provide you with a disclosure statement outlining which sub-contractors will be working on your build, a written warranty on the building products being used and details of our insurance. A timeline for your project and the completion date will also be set at this point.

During the course of your build there will be regular communication, which offers you the opportunity to discuss progress and address any queries you have with regards to design and functionality, that may arise as you start to see your build brought to life.
 
This regular contact helps keep everyone on the same page, which in turn allows you to make confident and informed decisions and keeps the job running smoothly – all helping to deliver the best result for you.

Once practical completion has been reached, we’ll provide you with a 10 Year Residential Guarantee (via either our membership with the Registered Master Builders Association or the New Zealand Certified Builders Association) and we’ll carry out the final inspection. We’ll also supply you with all of the documents needed for you to submit the paperwork for your Code of Compliance Certification, as well as information and warranties relating to your job.