What We Offer

We have extensive experience in all areas of residential architecture, including new homes and alterations - homes on difficult hill sites are a speciality. In recent years we have been involved in a wide range of projects, including multi-unit apartments, light commercial & industrial buildings and hospitality fit-outs. In the wake of the recent earthquake in Canterbury we also offer services for repair and remedial work.

Pre-Design

We can advise on the suitability of sites you are considering purchasing, including investigation of planning rules, climatic conditions, views and other factors that can affect how a site could be used. We will also undertake pre-purchase inspections of existing houses to advise on the potential for alterations.

Concept & Developed Design

We will help you develop a brief, and starting with concept sketches we can develop the design to a stage that enables a detailed cost estimate to be obtained. Along the way we will provide a range of drawings, rendered images and 3D computer models that will help you visualise your project as it develops.

Contract Documentation

Once the design has been finalized we will prepare the working drawings and specifications that will be used for building consent and construction. Along the way we will continue to meet with you to discuss the finer details of your project.

Contract Procurement
We will obtain a construction price either by negotiating with your preferred builder, or by asking several builders to submit tenders, which we would subsequently assess and report on to you as the client. To ensure terms and conditions are clear and all details are covered formally, we will prepare a New Zealand Institute of Architects construction contract appropriate to the project.

Observation & Contract Administration

Our role is to impartially administer the construction contract between you and the builder. This involves answering queries from the site contractor both off-site and during periodic on-site meetings to ensure work is being done in accordance with the plans and specifications. The processing of payment claims from the builder and regular monitoring of the financial position of the project are undertaken in the office to ensure client protection.

Other Services

- Interior design services are available, including design of kitchens, bathrooms and joinery. We can also assist with the selection of colours and furnishings throughout your home.
- We have a good relationship with a range of allied professionals including structural, geotechnical engineers, fire engineers, landscape architects, quantity surveyors, interior designers and land surveyors. We coordinate and manage these participants in the design process as and when required.

- We have been involved as consultants on several Christchurch subdivisions, assisting with the creation of covenants covering building appearance, setbacks, heights and protecting views.
- Earthquake repair and remedial work in response to the recent Canterbury earthquakes.

Fees

Architectural services are usually charged in one of the following ways. Often the actual fee will not be confirmed until the project size and scope of services has been agreed. This may be several weeks after the initial consultation. Typically a project will employ more than one fee type depending on circumstances. Fees are usually invoiced at regular monthly intervals for work-in-progress.

Percentage Fee

Fees are calculated as a percentage of the total building cost. This is probably the most common method of remuneration, however the final amount will not be known until near the projects conclusion.

Lump-Sum Fee

A fixed dollar amount is agreed once the scope and extent of the commission has been determined. Provides cost certainty for the client at a relatively early stage.

Time Charge Fee

Work is carried out on a charge up basis at an agreed hourly rate. This is suited to small-scale work or can be appropriate in the early phase of a project when the scope of work is not fully understood or where additional services outside the original agreement have been requested.

Timing

Architectural services will invariably take longer than expected so allow plenty of time. It is not uncommon for a new residential project to take in excess of 9 months before construction can commence. The process will involve consent applications to permit the building to commence. Building consents are mandatory regardless of the scope of work, whereas Resource Consents are only required where the built design exceeds the constraints of Local Government regulations. Resource consent applications can take many weeks or even months, especially if neighbours agreements are required or the application is publicly notified.

Factors to consider when estimating a realistic timeframe are: Building consent processing, issue of title, builder availability and allowance for general decision-making for design aspects, and details.