Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do we get started?
2. When would we start incurring costs?
3. We already have our structural plans drawn. Can you quote on these?
4. We have not decided on all the details, such as kitchen and bathroom design. Do you have to have these to give us a quotation?
5. Can you give us a square metre rate or an estimate for our project?
6. What subcontractors do you use?
7. Do you build outside the Waikato?
8. What is a Licensed Building Practitioner?
1.How do we get started?
The first step is for you to contact us so we can arrange to meet with you and discuss your building needs.
2. When would we start incurring costs?
We do not charge for our advice or for quotations. We work with architects and designers who will charge a small fee for producing a concept drawing. We can arrange to meet with a designer and provide useful input to ensure that the design meets your personal needs and budget.
3. We already have our structural plans drawn. Can you quote on these?
We can give you a full contract and detailed quotation on your plans (which may be a fixed price or an estimate, depending on the situation). If your plans are drawn up to building consent standard, we may be able provide a firm quote. We can assist you or your designer through the building consent process, to ensure everything goes smoothly, and provide realistic advice on where cost savings can be achieved.
4. We have not decided on all the details, such as kitchen and bathroom design. Do you have to have these to give us a quotation?
Our contract allows for provisional sums for areas such as the kitchen, plumbing items, wall and floor coverings to be provided, in situations where a fixed price is suitable. These sums can be finalised at a later date, once you have decided on these elements.
5. Can you give us a square metre rate or an estimate for our project?
In the current climate, it is inherently difficult to provide an accurate square metre rate because every project is unique and prices are continuously changing. There are many factors that determine the cost of building, including:
• Type of Section – sloping sections are more expensive to build on than level sections.
• Style of House – single level houses are generally the least expensive to build, and designs which include multiple floor levels contribute to costs.
• Hidden Costs – additional foundation costs due to poor or contaminated soil conditions.
• Building Materials – there is a huge variety of materials and these vary in cost considerably.
6. What subcontractors do you use?
All our carpenters are tradesmen employed by us. We employ subcontractors for other areas, such as the electrical and plumbing work. Most of these subcontractors have been working with us for many years, and all are reputable tradesmen in whom we have the utmost confidence.
7. Do you build outside the Waikato?
Yes, we have built homes in Taupo, Cambridge and Raglan in recent years.
8. What is a Licensed Building Practitioner?
A Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) has been granted a licence by the Ministry of Businesss, Innovation & Employment. All builders who are licensed are listed on a public register held by that government department, and consumers can identify a competent LBP by searching this register at www.building.govt.nz. To carry out all Restricted Building Work a builder must be a LBP.
All licence holders are required to take part in ongoing activities and education to ensure their skills and knowledge are current. This ongoing learning ensures that they are up to date with such things as changes in the building code, building materials and design technologies. Todd Shaw is a Licensed Building Practitioner and has been for many years.