After our initial meeting, we'll send you our fee proposal, based on what we discussed with you. It'll be divided into several stages to suit your project.

Our fee proposal will include:

• a detailed project scope/brief
• a detailed outline of the process and services you’ll receive from us
• identification of any additional consultants required i.e. surveyors, engineers
• some indicative timeframes at each stage of your project
• our fees
• our terms and conditions

This stage is relevant to additions and alterations of existing homes only. Time to complete a site measure varies so we'll let you know how long we'll need and will schedule this at a time that suits you.  We may also source existing plans from the local city council if appropriate to do so based on the age of your home and the likelihood of your existing plans being accurate.

We'll then model the existing dwelling and structural details so that a concept design can be completed showing proposed alterations and/or additions.

Now that we've got everything we need, we are able to produce an initial concept design for you based on your brief.

You'll receive a full concept design package including:

• A site plan and/or existing and demolition plan
• Your proposed floor plan(s)
• 3D views and preliminary material selection to clearly convey the design.

Once you've had an opportunity to review your concept design, we'll meet together to talk it through and decide on any updates and changes you'd like to make.

Once a concept design has been settled on, we'll further develop the design to make sure we've got everything we need confirmed before progressing to working drawings. Detailed aspects of the proposed design are decided upon at this stage, as well as specifications for some aspects of the build such as brands for fireplaces, sizes and styles of windows and doors etc. The intention at the end of this stage is to be able to move forward without any significant changes.

It's a good idea at this stage, if you're unsure about budget or whether you're increasing the value of your home if you're extending it, to get either a quantity surveyor or builder to estimate costs and an estate agent to value your home as is, compared to the value of the proposed design. 
We can assist you with engaging a quantity surveyor to provide a build estimate for your project at this stage and will work with you to adjust the design to better fit your budget if needed.

In most cases, the limitations of the site as well as what you'd like to achieve, will mean a resource consent from the Council may be required. This isn't a bad thing, and certainly isn't uncommon.

Typical residential compliance issues are things like breaching sunlight and height planes, exceeding allowable site coverage or not being able to meet required yard setbacks from the boundary. Where possible, we'll avoid proposing a design that triggers a Resource Consent. If that can't be achieved, we'll aim to minimize the number of breaches as much as possible.

It's a good idea to chat with neighbours and any obviously affected parties to keep them in the loop so that they are on board should you need their approval.

A resource application requires the following:

• Drawings including existing and proposed site plans, floor plans and elevations showing the relevant breaches.
• The required application fee and completed application form relevant to your city council.
• A certificate of title less than 3 months old.
• An Assessment of Environmental Effects report.

In most cases, we'll be able to complete and submit a Resource Consent application on your behalf. However, more complex projects may require specialised planners to do so, which we will engage and work closely with on your behalf should this be required.

This stage would usually commence once the resource consent has been approved by Council (if required).  We'll produce all the information required to obtain building consent for your project.  This is the most detailed and lengthy part of the process, but producing detailed, quality plans is critical to the success of your project.

Our building consent plans and documentation includes:

• Site, location and foundation plans
• Proposed floor plan(s)
• Roof plan, roof framing
• Plumbing plan
• Electrical plan (smoke alarms and ducting only)
• Bracing plans
• Sections and elevations
• Construction details
• Window and door Schedule
• Architectural specification – documentation outlining all products and materials used. This also contains leaflets and installation instructions obtained from the product manufacturers.
• Truss Design and PS1
• Engineering drawing set and calculations

Once we've submitted your plans to the Council, they will:

• Vet the application and provide an estimate invoice for the cost of processing the consent (allow 1 week).
• Process the consent and put in any requests for further information required (20 working days is allowed for processing however this is paused with further information is being gathered).  We'll take care of all the requests for further information and keep in touch with you on progress.
• Approve the consent and pass through to their administrative teams for issuing and providing a final invoice (allow 1 week).

Once the building consent drawings and documentation is  complete, you'll be able to start to obtain pricing from builders you'd like to complete your project. If you've involved a quantity surveyor earlier in your project, this will be a great help to builders providing you with a price.  It's a good idea to send these out to at least 2 or 3 different builders, so that you can be certain you're getting an accurate price and a reliable builder.

The documentation we have supplied to you over the course of these steps will be complete and appropriate for your chosen builder to complete your project from.

It's normal for questions to arise on site, and our ability to work alongside and effectively with contractors is what we're known for. We'll happily answer any questions they might have and we'll work proactively with them to solve any unforeseen issues that might arise on site.

It's not uncommon for small amendments to be made to plans during this stage of the project if an unforeseen issue does arise. Any proposed amendments cannot add additional work to the original consent, and these amendments will need to be submitted to the council for approval again and may take up to 20 working days.