The building process.
Whether you’re planning a new build, residential renovation or alteration, understanding the home building process before you begin makes those decisions much easier.
As your partners in the building process, here’s how we’ll work with you to bring your dream project into reality.
Starting a new building project can feel intimidating, with lots of aspects to consider and choices to make.
If you’re not sure, start here.
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Take a look through our building process below, and then get in touch using our easy online form.
We'll review your needs and guide you through what to expect from the entire building process.
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Whether you need building consent will depend on the type and scope of your project. We’ll work with you to determine if consents or permits are needed for the work. If they are, we’ll handle the application process on your behalf!
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Not at all! We’ll guide you through the entire process, from initial consultations and planning to obtaining consent and completing construction.
We can also help you find and connect with an architect if needed. If you already have plans, that’s great! We’ll work to those.
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It’s best to involve a builder as early as possible. Early input gives us a chance to understand the project before too many decisions are locked in, which can help keep the design aligned with buildability and budget as the plans develop.
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A Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) is more than just a qualified carpenter. In New Zealand, any restricted building work must be completed by an LBP. This applies to most projects, including new builds, renovations, and work requiring a council consent.
All restricted building work on your project is carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner.
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The Master Builders Association represents New Zealand’s top residential building and construction companies. They have a rigorous vetting process and recognise builders who consistently exceed industry standards.
OUR STEP-BY-STEP BUILDING PROCESS
Architectural detailing brings the lines and angles of the skylight into playful relief.
Building Process FAQs
Building contracts, pricing and variations can be some of the harder parts of the residential building process to get your head around. These FAQs explain how they work and what you can expect when working with Butterfly Builds.
Contracts and Costs
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In construction, a cost-plus contract (also known as charge-up) involves paying for the costs incurred during your project, plus an additional mark-up fee to cover profit and overhead.
We provide a professionally calculated estimate by a quantity surveyor to give you a clear idea of anticipated costs before you start. Additionally, we provide a provisional cost (PC sum) for fixtures and fittings (such as tapware, bathtubs, and floor coverings), allowing you to make choices and adjustments as the project progresses.
If the final costs are lower than estimated, you pay only the actual costs plus mark-up. If the costs exceed the estimate, you pay the higher amount plus mark-up.
The important distinction is that the final amount is based on the actual costs incurred, rather than a price fixed at the beginning of the project. Our Quantity Surveyor prepares a professional estimate beforehand so you have a clear basis for budgeting.
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In a fixed-price contract, we agree to complete your project for a set price based on the plans and specifications. We again use a quantity surveyor to calculate costs professionally, similar to the cost-plus process. We review all your selections and send them to our subcontractors for pricing based on the plans and chosen options. This usually involves several site visits with our subcontractors and yourself, providing us with more confidence in the fixed price.
If the contracted work goes over our fixed price, we absorb the additional costs. Something to note is that with either contract type anything outside of the plans and specs that is added or removed would be considered a cost variation.
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While we use both, many of our customers prefer fixed-price contracts because they offer greater certainty from the start and simplify budgeting and payment planning. If you're using a bank loan to finance your project, this option often aligns better with lending criteria. In some cases, we may use a fixed-price approach for your project’s labour while applying a cost-plus model for materials.
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Contract variations (also known as change orders), such as design changes or unforeseen issues (like finding rot or asbestos), can affect the final cost and would be considered a variation.
Both contract types are subject to variations for any work not specified or agreed upon.
This means changes to the agreed scope and cost are discussed with you before the affected work continues, rather than appearing unexpectedly at the end of the project.
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Employing a quantity surveyor (QS) ensures a more precise cost estimate. A QS provides detailed cost estimates based on your project’s scope, materials, labour, and other factors, minimising errors and omissions. This helps present you with a fair and reasonable price for your project.
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Beware of builders who provide deliberately low estimates or leave out work to secure contracts, only to impose additional costs later.
We do not condone such practices and caution against signing contracts where costs have been calculated by builders who are not trained in pricing.
Quantity surveyors are qualified professionals who have studied cost estimation, ensuring a more reliable cost estimate for your project.
Insurance
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We recommend Contract Works insurance for your building project. It typically covers unforeseen and unintended damage or loss during the insurance period, such as theft, fire, vandalism, storms, floods, natural disasters like earthquakes, and other accidental damage to construction work.
For instance, if a tree falls and damages your new framing, or an earthquake destroys your new foundation, this insurance can help cover the cost of repairs.
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For new builds, we are responsible for arranging Contract Works insurance for you. For renovations, including alterations, restorations, repairs or maintenance to existing structures, it is the owner's responsibility.
The owner must cover the premium for the Contract Works policy, unless this is included in a fixed price, and any excess on a Contract Works insurance claim.
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Ensure that the building company, Butterfly Builds, and builder, Chris Bath, are named as insured parties in the Contract Works policy, and that the policy remains current throughout the project's duration.
It’s a good idea to allow some extra time when setting the policy period so you’re less likely to need an extension later. Your insurance company can advise you on the appropriate cover and policy duration for your project.
Don’t take our word for it. Take theirs.
Thinking about a new build, renovation or alteration? Get in touch and tell us what you have in mind.