Will Tatton Architecture Ltd.

A simple phone call or email to us will provide you with a lot of information at no cost.  There is no need to prepare for this - just call and we will discuss your current thinking, dreams and ideas.

• We arrange a no-obligation (or cost) meeting where and when it suits you.  Usually our office is practical so you can view examples of our work and live 3d computer models.  Often the process is easier than you may think when other finished projects ‘stories’ are seen.
• We then post or email a free information pack which outlines our process and contains a workbook with useful questions so you can begin to record your priorities.

The aim of the meeting is to:

1. Answer your initial questions including explaining how our design process would work for your specific project.  The process is outlined from now until construction completion.
2. Explain how we quote our costs to suit your budget.

Also you may like to use the search function on our web site to search for building types you are interested in. Go to Projects -> Find a property or click here and fill in the format(s) you are currently thinking of.

We are always happy to receive your calls or emails. We are here to help! Contact us now.

How can we balance your practical needs and dreams with your budget?  What about the time this will take and how this project will fit in with your other personal projects?  We approach these and other questions directly and efficiently at our first meeting.

• You will have broad aims of what you want to achieve but also restrictions too and possibly conflicting ideas which seem like large obstacles to getting started.
• Our role includes helping you remove these obstacles that are preventing your project starting.
• We guide you towards establishing a list of agreed written aims for you. This is called ‘The Brief'.
• We will use colour site plans, photographs and our unique 3d site models at this stage to help you gain a great starting point for the project.
• At our first meeting you will easily achieve an understanding of how we go about learning your needs and then how we work with these needs and wishes.  This is all on a no obligation or cost basis at this stage.
• One of the main aims at this first meeting is to learn the scope of the project by discussing its size and complexity.
• At this point we explain how our fee structure works and is likely to relate to this specific project.  Based on you being comfortable with this approach so far, a site visit is planned.
• After this initial meeting or discussion we will prepare a written fee proposal.
• The initial meeting may be one hour or more, or just a quick ‘off the street’ chat.  Design can start right away without need for formal delay - all is on a no obligation or cost basis until a fee proposal is written and agreed to.

• Fabulous architecture comes from effective ‘reading' of the site and an appropriate response to the location.  This can be very quick and effective.  We visit the site with the owner or person looking to buy, whether they are a large developer, professional builder, or first home builder.
• While standing on the site and walking the boundaries we can rapidly evaluate the attributes and opportunities we are presented with.  Our knowledge and experience, from previous successful designs on a range of sites, quickly reveals to us how to overcome any difficulties such as close neighbours and privacy needs. We explain these to you at the time on site - so the design process can start in your mind already!
• This site visit is no obligation or charge.

• We will use the information about your projects size, complexity and scope to determine the fee to carry out the design work.
• The fees are in two main stages: Sketch Stage and Working Drawing Stage.
• Other services such as general management and construction management are also discussed so you can choose exactly what suits you.
• We will then write out a summary of the scope and brief as we know it and combine this with the proposed fees and terms and conditions.
• The written documents are approved by you.
• You can then add our fees into your projected costs.  You now have a complete budget to review and then we can move to the next stage.

• What you can do with your site and building is not just determined by your personal aims, the budget and the physical site. The local authority (Council), the Department of Building and Housing (the National Building Code) and others have rules we need to work within.  Some of the rules are flexible and conditional and others are not.
• Our process works with our knowledge of these rules, our personal experience on projects and that of our town planning partners to unlock the value in your building site.
• We work proactively to gain Resource Consents for our clients to optimise use of sites - be it expansive sea views or for a large home to accommodate the whole family on a tight site.
• Our design process is particularly useful and often crucial for developers and landowners who own land long-term and can get caught out with changing Council or Building Code rules, which can become more restrictive without the owners being directly informed.
• Our process offers an affordable appraisal system to test what can fit on a site for prospective buyers and also for vendors.  For little cost, our quick 3D diagrams (for example, of daylighting restrictive planes) often show greater views and space can be achieved than previously thought.  This raises value to a buyer and often encourages a sale.

• The Sketch Stage aims to produce simple drawings that you can use to imagine and fully understand the building which will meet your needs.
• The Sketch stage includes hand and computer drawn 2D and 3D images, meetings and discussion. It is a stage of suggesting, sharing ideas and making decisions. The finished sketch drawings are accurate scale plans and 3d views and elevations (side views).
• BUDGET CONTROL: We maintain a ‘hand on the tiller’ approach and always have cost awareness in mind. When the first rough floor plan is drawn we can guide you on cost in relation to size and complexity of the building.  We will inform you of your choices throughout the process.
• We can assist you in writing your budget and creating a checklist to apportion all your project costs appropriately.  This aids greatly in your decision making during this stage.
• At Sketch Stage we continue to discuss your needs in further detail.  We quickly establish and sort through the options and discard those which are now clearly not needed.
• We check areas throughout the design process to ensure the design will meet your budget requirements.  At the end of this stage more specific costing estimates are produced.  These are either on a square metre rate (we use similar recent buildings as a guide) or by a quantity surveyor who measures different elements, such as the roof, and combines materials and labour for each item.  The quantity surveyor then makes up a total building budget from all of main elements, including landscaping.

The main aims of the Working Drawings stage are:

1. To provide detailed plans and documentation to enable construction consent (building permit)
2. To provide plans for the builder and subcontractors to use for building

This stage is carried out by our drafting team and managed by the designer.

• A large scale floor plan or plans which has been developed from the sketch to a much greater size and clarity will be produced.
• Large cross sections and elevations are then produced and presented to you in draft form for checking.
• We send our preliminary plans to a structural engineer who will design beam and posts for any non-standard spans or loads.  We then integrate this information into our drawings.
• By the end of this stage a separate set of engineering drawings, showing only information such as beams and posts, will be complete.
• We work with one of our builder partners to design the most economical construction method.
• We liase with suppliers such as kitchen and bathroom retailers to integrate their items into the plans.  This avoids changes later, which are often costly.
• We fill in consent forms and lodge the drawings and specification for building consent. We deal directly with any Council Permit processing queries.
• This stage will take approximately two to three months for a medium sized house.

• A successful building project is created through working with competent builders.  We have established firm relationships and a high level of trust with a number of builders over many projects which we want to pass on to our next clients.
• We can suggest our preferred builders (please see our 'Partners' list).  These builders have a proven track record of success with our designs and consistently provide great service to our clients.  If you would like to work with a different builder we are always receptive to beginning new builder relationships.
• We then meet and brief either one chosen main contractor or alternatively three builders who tender a competitive bid to build the project.
• Owners are invited to meet builders separately to get a feel for personal strengths.
• You decide the level of involvement you would like our team to have during construction.  For example, a monthly site meeting is often of help to the builder to plan and co-ordinate his team.

• During the Council permitting process (which usually takes one month) the drawings and specification can be priced by the builder/s and their subcontractors to provide you with a fixed price contract.  This includes all items shown on our drawings and specification booklet.
• The standard NZ contract (included in our specification) or another contract, such as a Master Builders contract, is added to as necessary before pricing.  This may include the items the owner will supply separately.
• We meet and compare submitted prices.  A builder is then confirmed and the contract signed between owner and builder.
• At the end of this stage you will be able to complete your overall budget accurately and decide on your building programme.  You will choose the start date and set goals for finishing.
• Pricing can take about a month.

• During this stage the builder is the main contractor and will project manage the construction.
• We will carry out any prearranged site meetings and other tasks.  Also, we will liaise with suppliers and other consultants you may have employed, such as interior designers or landscapers.
• There is a prearranged schedule for builder payments.  You or your agent should certify that all materials and labour are in place so a solid relationship is developed between you as the owner and the team on site.
• The construction stage will likely take from eight months to one year for a medium sized house.
• During building you will enjoy seeing the many great ideas discussed during earlier stages unfold as the project becomes real.