Wet area showers are a classic case where many generally work on the assumption that installing a tiled or wet area shower in an existing home requires a building consent.

If you've recently received a building consent or are planning to build a new home, you may have been surprised to receive a Development Levy notice from your local council.

For many people, choosing an architect begins with geography. It seems logical to work with someone based nearby. After all, they'll be able to visit the site, meet with the builder, and attend meetings more easily.

New Zealand continues to attract overseas buyers looking to invest, establish a holiday home, or create a long-term base for family and future generations. The landscapes, lifestyle, and stable property market make it an attractive place to invest.

What starts out as conversation about needs and wants quickly turns into whether to renovate an existing home, extend it, or start again with a new build.

When people think about building a new home, they often picture a design process and then a construction phase. The excavation, framing, cladding, and eventually moving in. What is less visible at the beginning is everything that happens before construction begins. The planning, design, consultant input, approvals, and decision making that occur before a builder can turn the first sod.

Every building project begins with a number. Clients understandably want to know what the project will cost, and main contractors work hard to prepare estimates that reflect the drawings and specifications in front of them. Then there is the real world, that only tends to appear when the hammers are swinging and the materials are flying. Construction is one of the few industries where the final product is being created on a site that cannot be fully understood until work begi

Does becoming a registered Architect mean higher fees? Not necessarily. Registration adds professional obligations and modest costs, but architectural fees are usually driven by experience, project complexity, and the level of service provided rather than the title itself.

In New Zealand the title Architect is legally protected under the Registered Architects Act 2005. Only those registered with the NZRAB can use it professionally. This article explains why the title matters and how it protects professional standards and public trust.

What does it actually mean to be called an Architect in New Zealand? Under the Registered Architects Act 2005 the title is legally protected, requiring formal registration through the New Zealand Registered Architects Board. After more than two decades working in architectural practice and running small firms, I’ve begun the process of seeking registration through an experience-based pathway rather than the traditional university and graduate route. This article explores why

Why do small renovations need detailed building consent drawings? Why documented compliance with the New Zealand Building Code affects renovation design and project costs.

In New Zealand's urban areas many homes built pre-1930 are considered to have historic significance, or heritage value. Preserving the historical and architectural integrity of heritage homes (or any architecturally significant home) is compulsory in some areas and is a delicate task that demands careful consideration, especially when it comes to recladding. While recladding can improve the aesthetics and structural integrity of a heritage house, it also carries the responsib

Recladding homes built in the 90's and 2000's due to weathertightness issues can be a daunting task, but it's a crucial step in preserving the integrity and longevity of your home. Houses built in the 90's and up until 2010 have exceeded their claddings warrantees and are becoming increasingly subject to cladding failure. Whether you suspect your house is experiencing water ingress, continual mold growth, or other signs of weathertightness failure, taking proactive measures n

Recladding a house presents an opportunity to rejuvenate its exterior, enhance its structural integrity, and improve energy efficiency. One question often arises during such projects: Should you replace your windows as well? The decision to replace windows during a reclad project requires careful consideration, taking into account various factors that can impact the overall success of the renovation. Let’s delve deeper into this topic to understand when replacing windows is a

Undertaking a recladding project is a significant endeavor, often requiring meticulous planning and attention to detail. While most are concerned with improving the aesthetics and durability of the home's exterior, recladding also involves delving into the structure that lies beneath the surface. Understanding that the structure of a home involves the framing, support beams and internal linings is why having a good handle on the potential issues for any reclad project is cruc

When people start planning a new home, group home builders often appear as the simplest path. Show homes are tidy, the price lists are reassuring, salesmen are friendly and the promise of a “streamlined process” is tempting. It feels efficient. Predictable. Easy. But a true home isn’t a mass-produced product. It’s an environment you’ll live in for decades. Once you take a look behind the glossy surface, it soon becomes clear that group home builders are designed for scale, no

Building projects have a habit of humbling everyone involved in them. On paper a project can look tidy, rational, even elegant. Then the real world arrives with its material prices, labour pinches, engineering constraints, local council requirements and the laws of physics. Somewhere in that messy intersection sits the actual cost of construction. One of the most common misunderstandings in building projects is the role we play in that equation. As the designers we can influe

How HWA manages council approvals