The WAH Way - how we work
We build great homes and relationships.
Hello there!
Get your vision and ideas rolling. Book a free onsite consultation with Andrew or Warren for our expert advice and decades of building experience. Let’s meet on-site to understand your thoughts so we can tailor top line recommendations whatever stage the project’s at. If you have final plans ready to go, then let’s jump to step 4 on the WAH Way.
Building Plans and Estimate
With your preferred scheme on paper, we will engage our Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) service. A well-structured design process involves four distinct stages: Concept Design, Preliminary Design, Developed Design and Construction/Consent Documentation.
As the design progresses, we can provide cost-estimating, buildability and sequencing advice. Together, we will explore material and construction systems with specialist subcontractors and suppliers to work through the technical questions the design will throw up. Ensuring your project remains on track and is not derailed by budget, technical or consenting issues is the ultimate goal of this stage.
Proposal Acceptance and Contract
When our proposal and quote is accepted, we will provide a comprehensive building contract for you to sign. We typically use the standard NZ Certified Builders Contracts which are designed for NZ residential building and can be adapted to meet the agreed approach. If selected, the Halo 10 year Residential Guarantee will be activated after both parties sign the WAH contract.
An agreed deposit will be required to lock in your build date. We then provide a detailed project schedule and confirm your WAH project manager and site foreperson.
Your monthly invoice will include cost breakdowns, supplier invoices, the spend to date and a total forecasted cost.
Move in and Sign off
Before the handover, we organise a professional clean including windows and do a thorough check of the build, alongside the client. Our quality promise comes from our craftsman-like focus on sub-contractors too.
On completion of the agreed works, we will book the final inspection by Council and prepare the paperwork to satisfy their requirements. At WAH, your building project is not complete until the CCC [Code Compliance Certificate] is issued.
Now sit back, relax and enjoy your wonderful WAH-built home.
Dreams and Ideas
It’s fun conceptualising your dream home. Not sure where to start? We can recommend a reputable architect or draftsperson to develop concept schemes for consideration. We will then work with you, the designer and other experts to assess each scheme and help you determine your preferred design, with a realistic project budget.
Our Proposal and Quotation
Once Council issues your building consent, we will have the final documentation on which to base a project proposal and firm quotation. The consenting process often flushes out considerations or rework that may impact the build scope and quote. The project proposal will include a breakdown of the price including the trades (plumbing and electrical) . Our proposal is presented either on the basis of a Lump Sum Fixed Price or Cost Reimbursement Estimate. We will work with you to identify the best project approach with transparency guaranteed.
Let's go! Building starts
With regular site meetings to keep you informed ahead of key decisions, we will manage the sub-contractors and suppliers and liaise with other consultants (like your architect) to keep the project on track. We work to ensure the site is operated safely and to protect the well-being of everyone on site.
We also coordinate all Council compliance inspections in line with the consenting process.
Unsurprisingly, variations can arise to the agreed contract. Clients often choose higher-spec fittings or more lighting than the contract allowed for. Or the site presents an unforeseen challenge once the build starts. We have processes to ensure informed decisions are made on variations before changes are made on-site. As they can materially impact the total cost of the build.
Early communication is essential to a successful project outcome. Our goal is to deliver a stress-free experience so you can enjoy the build.
"Your project management skills are second to none and the team kept us fully informed. In fact the build was a stress-free process. Invariably all building projects have unforeseen issues and when our wooden floor was not up to our expectations you dealt with this quickly and efficiently leaving us in no doubt that your after-build service is also excellent.
We continue to have peace of mind that if something were to happen it will be sorted."
