Questions and
answers

Both design homes. "Architect" is a protected title in New Zealand, used only by people registered with the NZ Registered Architects Board. I'm an architectural designer: I specialise in homes, and I'm licensed through the Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) scheme (Design class Design 2) to design work that needs a building consent. For most new homes and renovations, an architectural designer is all you need.

Yes. Our first chat is free and takes about an hour, at your place or over a coffee.

Any photos or ideas you've saved, plans of your existing home if you have them, your LIM or title, and a rough budget. Don't worry if you don't have all of these.

Most new homes, extensions and structural changes need one. Some smaller work is exempt, including, since 15th January 2026, a simple standalone single-storey granny flat of up to 70 m² that meets the rules. I'll check your project against the rules at our first chat.

Councils have 20 working days to decide, counted from when they accept your application as complete. The clock stops while they wait for answers to their questions, and the days from 20th December to 10th January don't count. Complete, clear drawings keep the questions to a minimum.

A LIM (land information memorandum) is a council report on a property: its zoning, the consents on record and known hazards such as flooding. A PIM (project information memorandum) is council information about a particular building project on your site. Both are worth having early, and I can help you read them.

Since 15th January 2026, often yes: a simple standalone, single-storey granny flat of up to 70 m² can be built without a building consent if it meets the rules. You still need to tell your council first, it must still meet the Building Code, licensed people must do the restricted work, and your district plan may still need a resource consent. I can help you check.

Manawatū, Wairarapa, Horowhenua, Whanganui and Hawke's Bay. If you're further afield, get in touch and we'll talk about what works.

I don't publish set prices, because every project is different. Most design work is a fixed fee for each stage, agreed before we start. Colour consultations are fixed packages, and Project consultancy is charged per visit. You'll have a written fee proposal before anything is charged.

Within 2 working days, usually sooner.