Typical Design Process 2: Predesign, Concept Design & Initial Cost Estimate

Once, after the initial meeting has taken place and we have signed the Scope & Fee Proposal, thereby confirming that both parties would like to work with each other (client with us and we with the client), the project moves into stages known as Predesign and Concept Design.

Concept Design - Elevations

Once the concept floor and site plan are accepted, we continue with elevations. The elevations are developed much in the same way as the plans: in cooperation with the client, always submitting them for client's perusal, comment and feedback.

If the building is a two-storey arrangement or heights are critical to making things work, we may provide a cross-section of the draft concept - a "cut through" view of the building.

For each stage, we have allocated a certain number of rounds of revisions as the drawings are generated - we will have explained that in our written proposal and the initial meeting. We can generally get very close to what the clients have in mind with the first version of concept plans and elevations. However, experience shows that once designs are on paper, clients may start having second thoughts and consider changing their initial ideas about preferred home design. We can work on the revisions until the client is confident in their chosen design, however, once the rounds of revisions surpass the number allocated in the Scope & Fee proposal, additional revisions need to be invoiced at an hourly rate.

Initial Construction Cost Estimate

With the concept plans and elevations confirmed, an initial construction cost estimate can be worked out by our quantity surveyor. Depending on the complexity of the project, we may discuss the plans further with a structural engineer, geotechnical engineer etc to understand the extent of work needing to be factored into the cost estimate.

Once the cost estimate is reviewed and approved by the client, the next stage is applying for resource consent - if a resource consent is required. However, most of the time it isn't, so usually we move straight into Developed Design.

A couple of words on resource consent.

In a nutshell, resource consent is formal approval from the council to do something the council haven't identified as permitted. A simple example could be exceeding a site coverage rule set by the District Plan - something we have successfully dealt with in the past.

Whilst we assemble and lodge simple resource consent applications in-house (such as the example above), we strongly recommend that in case of complex resource consent applications, clients engage the services of a specialised Resource Consent Consultant. We believe in sticking to one's competency: in our team, we have several Licensed Building Practitioners for design and carpentry, so we are best equipped to take on the challenges of designing and building.