How much do you charge?
This is probably the most common question we get asked and one that is very difficult to answer without knowing in detail what you are hoping to achieve and what you are expecting from me. We need to know the total scope of a project as well as the extent of my involvement prior to being able to provide you with a fee proposal.
Once we have met with you and have an accurate gauge on what you are wanting, and the scope of work involved then we will provide a fixed fee which is broken down into stages (scheme design, developed design, resource consent, working drawings, etc). This will all be outlined in a quote we will send to you shortly after the first meeting.
The complexity of the building, or parts of the building, may have considerable impact on the value of fees charged as some components may require more intensive detailing work than others. Small projects often require the same amount of detail and documentation as larger buildings and this is reflected in a higher fee percentage for lower value work.
Where do I start?
First up is the requirement for a brief. This should be as comprehensive as possible. It needs to detail your wants, needs, and requirements. It could include size, budget, photos or cut-outs of appealing products or buildings, functions and lifestyle, etc. Really it’s anything you can give me to show me what you like and dislike, that will facilitate the design process as much as possible. Sometimes the brief may be a bit up-in-the-air in some areas, but these things will quickly sort themselves out after the first couple of design meetings. We can help you with the development of this as there may be things you are unclear about or need a professional opinion on.
How much for an initial consultation?
There is no charge for an initial consultation whether in my office or in the Wellington/Lower Hutt/Upper Hutt area. Appointments must be during normal weekday working hours in most situations.
I already know what I want, can you just draw up the plans?
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. After our initial meeting we will reserve the right to decide not to follow through if we can see any potential problems with the design that cannot be resolved between you and ourselves. All we ask is that you allow me to make any improvements or suggestions that we see as beneficial to the project, relating to aesthetics, costs or problem areas we discover.
How long does it all take?
As the saying goes ‘good things take time!' It really comes down to how large the project is and what consents are required from Council. A Building Consent takes around 20 working days (approximately one month) processing time through Council and if a Resource Consent is required also, another month may be necessary. The design work required comes down to our work load at that time, other professionals availability and timing, and how quickly you as the client can make decisions. Generally speaking for a small project that only requires a Building Consent allow approximately two to three months from engagement to being able to ‘break ground’ on site. If a Resource Consent is required allow an additional two months. For very large jobs this process can extend over six months or more.