Your questions answered
How do we charge?
We charge on an hourly rate basis or a percentage fee basis for larger projects.
Percentage fee charging is based on a percentage of a project’s construction cost. The fee is calculated over the full architectural service.
The exact percentage fee is based on the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Guide to Architects Charges. Different buildings have different percentage rate ranges (eg, retrofitted buildings and alterations have a higher percentage fee charge than new builds).
For smaller projects and upfront work (eg , space planning, concept design) we charge on an hourly rate.
We can go over our hourly rates and the NZIA Guide to Architect Charges with you to explain how we charge in an initial consultation about your project.
How can you be sure costs don’t go over budget?
At the end of the concept design stage, we recommend engaging a quantity surveyor to provide a cost plan for the project. We can organise this on your behalf.
This cost plan gives you a firm indication of the construction cost and helps you manage costs through the various stages of the project.
We have a strong track record in keeping projects to the quantity surveyor’s estimates. We find that building tenders generally fall in line with the quantity surveyor’s cost plan, ensuring that there are no surprises for you.
What professional associations are we affiliated to?
Context Architects is a New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) practice and all our Architects are individual members of NZIA.
We are affiliated with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).
Context Architects are also members of CoreNet Global NZ Chapter and the NZ Retail Interior Association.
Why should you use a Registered Architect?
Using a Registered Architect protects you from unethical or unprofessional building practices. Only architects with a recognised architectural degree and years of supervised work experience can be registered by the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).
The Registered Architects Act 2005 states that people who design buildings, prepare plans, and specifications for buildings, or who supervise the construction of buildings may not use the title 'Architect' unless they are a Registered Architect.
What type of insurances do we carry?
Context Architects carries professional indemnity insurance to a limit per project of $2 million.
We also carry public liability insurance cover to the value of $5 million.
These insurances are a protection for our clients and the practice.
What are the stages of the architectural process?
Go to our Interactive Getting Started guide. This works you through the architectural process – what each stage is about, what you have to do in each stage, and what we do.
How long will your building project take?
During the briefing process, we ascertain key building milestones and then programme these into a procurement programme for you.
During construction we also request a detailed construction programme from the building contractor.
Having a programme – with key milestones and deadlines - keeps your project on track for completion on a set date. It ensures everyone working on the project is working towards the same, agreed dates.
What quality assurance do you have?
Our architects are fully conversant with the 2004 Building Act and local council regulations, as well as BRANZ standards.
We have access to a wide range of resources offered by the New Zealand Institute of Architects - including professional development programmes, updates on new building legislation and codes and a quality management programme - all of which are utilised to add value for our clients.
All building documentation is fully compliant with the 2004 Building Act and New Zealand Standards ensuring that workmanship is to the highest standards.
What other consultants are likely to be involved?
In various stages of a project, other consultants are usually needed for their input. The most common of these are a land surveyor, a structural engineer, a geotechnical engineer and for commercial projects, a fire engineer, acoustic engineer and/or lighting engineer.
Consultants are separately engaged. We obtain fee proposals from consultants on your behalf and gain your approval prior to engaging them. We coordinate the consultants’ input into the documentation and architectural process.
What technical platform do we use?
We design, document and present using the best available technologies. Context Architects’ 3D software allows us to produce 3D imagery and rendered sketches for concept design work.
The architectural software platform we work off is AutoCAD, ArchCAD and Sketchup. All have 3D capabilities and ArchiCAD uses Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology which has the potential to manage and create building data which ultimately increases the productivity of your project.