Our process

The process begins with a meeting to discuss your project and the services we can provide. This usually takes place at your home so we can understand the site and what’s involved. For new homes, we’ll meet you on site or in our office.

During this meeting, we’ll develop a clear brief covering your design goals, space requirements, budget, and timeline. A well‑defined brief helps streamline the design process—but if you’re unsure, we can help shape it together.

This initial consultation is free.

After the meeting, we’ll send you a written quote outlining each project stage and the associated fees.

The Working Drawings stage involves preparing fully detailed drawings and written specifications for your Building Consent application. These documents can also be used by builders to provide accurate construction costings.

This stage sets out how the building will be constructed and demonstrates compliance with the Building Code and Council requirements—the “nuts and bolts” of the process.

Depending on your project, additional consultants such as a Structural Engineer or Fire Engineer may be required. We can arrange these services and obtain quotes on your behalf.

Once your brief is confirmed and we’re formally engaged, we begin developing your scheme design. This stage includes reviewing Council records, coordinating with a surveyor if needed, and producing a computer‑drawn concept that reflects your requirements and good design principles.

Your scheme design will typically include floor plans, elevations, and selected 3D views (where applicable).

We’ll then meet to review the design together, discuss your feedback, and make the necessary adjustments to finalise a concept you’re happy with.

We manage the entire Building Consent process on your behalf, including completing the application and lodging it with Council. We’ll liaise with the relevant departments and supply all required documentation, including any additional information requested during the review.

All Council queries come directly to us, and we’ll coordinate any further details or clarifications needed to keep the process moving smoothly.

Some projects require Resource Consent, especially when aspects of the design fall outside Council rules. If this applies to your project, we’ll let you know and guide you through the process.

A Resource Consent planner is usually best placed to prepare and lodge the application. We’ll work closely with them and provide all the information they need.

During construction, builders may need clarification to ensure the work meets the expectations of the client, Council, and the design. Sometimes changes are required due to site conditions or unforeseen circumstances—if anything arises, we’re here to help.

We can also act as the point of contact between you and the builder, helping keep the construction process running smoothly.