FAQs

Think of it as a relaxed conversation rather than a formal interview. We want to hear about your project, understand what you're hoping to achieve, and get a feel for how we can help. It's worth having all the key decision-makers there if you can, and it helps to have thought about your rough budget, your timeline, and any concerns you have about the building process. We'll be honest with you from the start — about what's realistic, what things cost, and what to expect. There's no obligation. It's simply a chance to see if we're the right fit for each other.

In most cases yes. But getting us involved early — before you reach the consenting stage — can make the whole process smoother and save you money. We can help you spot potential issues before they become expensive ones.

Yes. As approved members of New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB), we offer the Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee — one of the most comprehensive protections available for any building project in New Zealand. It's only available through NZCB approved builders, and it means you can build with real confidence.

Yes — and it's there to protect you as much as us. We use a New Zealand Certified Builders contract that clearly sets out the scope of work, payment terms, and how any variations are handled. Nothing changes without your agreement first.

There are two main types used in the building industry — fixed price and cost-plus markup — and it's worth understanding the difference before you start.

A fixed price contract gives you an agreed sum upfront with progress payments at set stages. While this sounds straightforward, the price can still change. Excavation, foundation work, and anything hidden behind walls in a renovation can't always be fully scoped in advance — so variations are common and contingency amounts are usually built in from the start. Our preferred approach is cost-plus markup. You're invoiced fortnightly for actual labour, materials, and subcontractors with an agreed markup added. There are no hidden contingencies — just full transparency on exactly where your money is going at every stage of the build.

We work on a cost-plus markup basis. In our experience it's the most honest and transparent way to run a building project — you only pay for what's actually used, and you can see exactly where every dollar goes. Before we start, our Quantity Surveyor provides a detailed estimate so you have a clear picture of expected costs. If you choose to work with us, the cost of that estimate is credited back on your first invoice — so there's no financial risk in getting it done.

Throughout the build we use back-costing software to track expenditure in real time against that estimate. If anything looks like it's tracking over budget, we'll talk to you about it early so you can make informed decisions before costs escalate. No surprises. Just honest conversations at every step.

Before we start, our Quantity Surveyor provides a detailed estimate so you have a clear picture of expected costs. If you choose to work with us, the cost of that estimate is credited back on your first invoice. Throughout the build we use back-costing software to track expenditure in real time against that estimate. If anything looks like it's tracking over budget, we'll talk to you about it early so you can make informed decisions before costs escalate. No surprises. Just honest conversations at every step.

The single most effective thing you can do is get a realistic cost estimate before your plans are finalised. We've seen homeowners receive fully consented plans only to find the build costs more than they'd anticipated — at which point changes become expensive. We work with an experienced Quantity Surveyor who can price your build early in the process. It's a modest investment upfront that can save you thousands and means you move forward with clarity rather than uncertainty.

Every project is different, but as a general guide a new build typically takes 12–18 months from breaking ground to handover, while a renovation can range from a few weeks to several months depending on scope. Building on Waiheke does come with some unique considerations — materials and trades need to come across on the ferry, and weather can play a role in scheduling. We factor all of this into our planning so there are as few surprises as possible, and we keep you updated throughout so you always know where things are at.

Yes, and we do it regularly. Many of our clients live in Auckland or further afield and are building or renovating a holiday home or investment property on Waiheke. We're used to working with clients who can't always be on site and we make it easy — regular updates, clear communication, and a team you can trust to look after your property as if it were our own.

Yes — we have great working relationships with a number of architects and designers who know Waiheke well. Getting the right design team in place early makes a real difference to how smoothly a project runs, and we're happy to point you in the right direction based on your project type and budget. Just ask us at your first consultation.