Our Design & Build Process

Whether you are seeking a design build service or design assistance alongside a ‘full build contract’, we can assist you every step of the way!

Our Design & Build Process

Whether you are seeking a design build service or design assistance alongside a ‘full build contract’, we can assist you every step of the way!

The Process

The Recipe for Your New Home”

Whether you are seeking a design build service or design assistance alongside a ‘full build contract’, we can assist you every step of the way!

Our design build process operates to progress your build project with clear direction and tangible outcomes.

Where you have your own designer, the process is effectively the same except the design contract is between you and the designer direct. We strongly recommend the builder is involved at the early design stage to support the design process and provide expertise in specialist construction such as passive homes and structural insulated panels, advise on potential budget blow outs, and deliver continuity.

Our SIPs Pre-Assembly & Install Process

Part 1 – Delivery & Assembly

Part 2 – Panel Transport to Site & Walls Installed

Part 3 – Roof Panels Installed

Initial Meeting

The initial meeting is important as it provides an opportunity for you to see if we can create the team you need to achieve your dream home.

Regardless of whether it’s a design build, or you have your own designer, we are keen to get to know you and listen to your ideas and any decisions you have made to date on planning for your project.

  • We listen.  It’s important to understand your ideas, dreams, and your family’s needs, in terms of both the final product and your involvement throughout the build process.
  • We can offer you extensive knowledge.  Despite this early stage, its important you receive guidance on your unique build, if you need it.  We don’t do hard sell; it’s about listening and answering your key questions.
  • You can ask us about our previous work, how we operate, our systems etc.
  • Together we discuss your budget. We want you to get the best result (your needs and wants) within your budget.  Is this realistic, what else is there to consider?

Choosing a Designer

We can recommend several architects and designers that we work closely with, including our own in-house designer, award winning architects, and a number of designers renowned for passive house design and high performing energy efficient homes.
Through our detailed discussions with you, we will have gained a good understanding on which designers we could recommend. You can then decide which ones you would like to meet. We can organise this for you to do online, or in person.
It is essential to get the right fit as we will all be working closely together throughout the design build journey.

Pre-Lim Contract Agreed

If you are using our design service, we will arrange a ‘Preliminary Contract for Design Services’. This is to engage with Chatterton Builders to undertake the design work, with your preferred designer, through to concepts then full working drawings.
This contract includes our estimate of concepts to give you the confidence to proceed to working drawings or amend as required. It also includes the full fixed price proposal of the approved working drawings and extensive assistance with client selections and inclusions, which are fully explained further on in the process. This contract is between Chatterton Builders and yourselves.
Where you have your own designer, a pre-liminary contract will set out our responsibilities to support the design process and undertake pricing. As above this includes our estimate of concepts to give you the confidence to proceed to working drawings or request amendments as required. It also includes the full fixed price proposal of your approved working drawings and extensive assistance with client selections and inclusions, which are fully explained further on in the process. This contract is between Chatterton Builders and yourselves.

Concept Plans

Concept plans are your initial set of plans detailing the house layout and elevations, and perhaps some basic materials. There is usually no detail, engineering or exterior landscaping drawn. It allows the designer to work with you with a level of flexibility before committing to a design.
They are produced by the designer in close consultation with both yourselves and with us, the builder.

Our design contract involves plan reviews to ensure you get the design you like, and where necessary we will arrange for a contour survey to be undertaken to assist in the completion of accurate concept plans. The contour survey is generally part of our ‘Preliminary Contract for Design Services’.
If you have your own designer, any further changes or additional design work is carried out by them, with our support where needed.

Estimation of Concept Plans

Once you are happy with your concept plans you will want to know if they are close to your budget. The whole point of this estimation exercise is to provide you with the confidence to proceed to full working drawings. At this point our independent QS can complete an estimate based upon the general information in the concept plans and any specifications provided. This is part of our preliminary contract.

Proceed to Full Working Drawings

Working Drawings are full technical drawings including engineering specifications required for consent approval.
On acceptance of concept plans (and the subsequent estimate) you will proceed to full working drawings with your chosen designer. At this stage engineering may be required on your building site, if it has not already been undertaken. This is necessary for your working drawings and council consent.

Proceed to Client Selection Confirmation

At the same time as working drawings are being completed you will be provided with full access to your own online job portal to complete your house selections. The more selections that can be made at this stage the more accurate your final cost will be, as the more items identified means the less allowances are required.
The content in our online system provides guidance and communication on what is required, plus our client liaison is there to help you with your selection choices. You will find additional confidence in the process as we accompany you to certain suppliers to ensure a seamless and attentive process avoiding potential issues and miscommunications. These will include windows, joinery, heating and, if required, tiling & plumbing hardware among other things.
The software provides an online record of your selections (choices) for all inclusions in your new home that are not specified in your plans. Any selections form part of your contract and pricing exercise, alongside the plans and specifications. However, if you prefer not to input direct into our online system, we are happy to record your selection choices for you.

Fixed Price Proposal

Once you are happy with your full working drawings our independent QS will complete a full costing (fixed price) before proceeding to contract stage. This is part of our preliminary contract.

Your fixed price will be based upon the plans, engineering and specifications from the designer, plus the selections made by yourselves on other features. Any items that have not been chosen, or unable to be chosen, will be estimated with a realistic provisional sum and stated as such in the pricing making it as transparent as possible.
Prices are sought from suppliers and subcontractors before it is combined into a full price presentation. This can take a few weeks for comprehensive prices to be collated, clarifications sought, accuracy checked and the compilation of costs to produce an accurate full fixed price.

Presentation of Fixed Price Proposal

A meeting will be arranged to present to you in person your full investment proposal. The proposal will document not only the price, but any provisional sums and exclusions agreed to. A meeting allows you to seek clarification, ask questions or discuss options where required. If there are further questions after this meeting, we are always happy to meet again, or discuss online or over the phone. It is important that you understand the contract and its contents before signing.

Contract Signing

Before any building work can commence it’s important you know you are protected. We prepare contract documents and use a ‘New Zealand Certified Builders Association’ Contract which outlines the responsibilities of both parties and the protection afforded to both parties.
You receive our ‘Disclosure Document’ at this point detailing our company background, the staff we intend to work on your job and any product warranty information required, plus our insurance details. On signing your contract, a deposit will be required. Once the contracts are signed and a deposit paid, we can go ahead and confirm insurance policies for the project.
You will also be provided with our ‘Client Expectations’ book so every step of the way, during your build, you know exactly what to expect and what is required.

Build Start Date Confirmed

Your build start date can be confirmed at contract signing (although you will already have had an indication of this). A build schedule will also be developed and uploaded to your own online job portal, where you can keep up to date on progress. Our project manager will manage the build from start to finish.

Project Management of Your Build

Your project manager will manage your build and be your main point of contact. He will be involved in your project well before this but this is where he officially takes control. He will regularly update you and this happens in a number of ways including fortnightly meetings on site with yourself and the Foreman, regular updates on your online job system, plus phone calls and emails as required.
Remember your online client portal is accessible at any time and is an ideal forum for communication as it is trackable and linked to all interested parties ensuring nothing is missed. Any variations can be requested, identified and approved through the online system ensuring everything is tracked and must have your approval.
Don’t forget to look at your ‘Client Expectation’ book for further details of each stage of your build and what may be coming up!

Move In!!!!

Once your dream home is complete you can have peace of mind that your biggest investment is of the highest quality and the workmanship is guaranteed.
On completion we will finalise the building agreement and undertake a final quality control inspection with you present. We will organise for the issue of the Final Code of Compliance Certificate from the local Council and we also undertake Warranty Checks as required.

Handover is a celebratory affair. You will officially be presented with the keys to your new home along with a little Chatterton Builders flair! You will also be provided with a USB stick containing your house plans, records, plus all your warranty information to ensure you understand the products requirements to remain covered by the warranty.