Frequently Asked Questions

Contact us for a free initial meeting to discuss your project, its scope, and how involved you'd like us to be. If you have inspiration images or site photos, feel free to share them so we can better understand your vision. If you're still exploring ideas, we're happy to meet with you and discuss potential options.

From there, we'll work together to develop a detailed project brief, covering your space requirements, budget, and timeframe. It's completely normal if these details aren't fully defined before we meet, as they often become clearer after a discussion at our initial meeting.

Yes. We are generally happy to work with either your own design or the design of another professional (as long as any copyright issues are resolved in writing).

Our experience allows us to suggest improvements along the way — whether that’s making better use of your space, improving functionality, or keeping the project within budget.

Every project timeline is different and depends on the size and complexity of the work, the approvals required, the availability of everyone involved, and how quickly project decisions are made. As a guide, a smaller project requiring a Building Consent may only take around three months from engagement to the start of construction. Larger or more complex projects will likely take six months or longer before work can begin on site. A Building Consent typically takes around one month to be processed by Council, and if a Resource Consent is also required, this may add a further couple of months or more to the design process.

We offer a free initial consultation during normal working hours, either at our office or at your site within the Greater Wellington region.

Project costs vary depending on the scope of work and the level of service you require, so it's difficult to provide an accurate estimate before discussing your project in detail. The initial consultation helps us understand your goals and gather the information needed to prepare a tailored quote.

Our fees are provided as a fixed-price proposal and are typically broken down by project stages. Many of our clients have been pleased with the value and transparency of our pricing, and you can read about their experiences on our Testimonials page.

Think of it as two different approvals from the council. A Resource consent checks whether your project fits the planning rules for the property and neighbourhood. Some examples are: usage of the site, setbacks from boundaries, building height, site coverage, privacy, and environmental effects. A Building consent checks whether the construction itself meets the Building Code, ensuring it is safe, durable, and built correctly.

Simply put:

A Resource consent is permission for what you want to do with the land.

A Building consent is permission for how you are going to build it.

Some projects need both consents, some need only a Building consent, and some minor works may not need either.

Yes, we have a selection of trusted builders with whom we have built strong working relationships over the years, and we would be happy to connect you with them if you wish.

We can also remain involved during the construction phase to assist with any questions or issues that may arise, as is sometimes the case during a build.