FAQ
Q: Is iPlans a Licensed Building Practitioner (design) for compliance with the New Zealand Building Code?
A: Yes, iPlans is operated and supervised by a New Zealand Registered Architect, which is deemed to have a design area of practice 3 licence.
Q: Can I lodge the building consent myself?
A: Yes, if you are confident with dealing with your local Council building inspectors.
Q: What if the Council requires additional information before the building consent is lodged?
A: iPlans will provide this information free of charge.
Q: What if the Council requires additional information during the building consent process?
A: Unfortunately, each Council operates very differently and has their own quirks and procedures with regards to processing of building plans. iPlans will provide this information to your Council at our competitive hourly rates and provides this information quickly to avoid delays in processing your consent.
Q: Why do the charges vary for different plans?
A: Although all iPlans are great designs, some have more or less detail in their form and layout creating more or less character to the house design as the case may be. As such, plans with more detail require more building consent documentation and therefore take longer for us to produce, while less detail in a design generally means less time for documentation.
Q: How does iPlans estimate the building costs?
A: Actually, we don't. We refer to the estimates published by the Department of Building and Housing NZ. This is a good indication of the cost of building around NZ. But remember, by getting competitive prices from several builders, you are always assured of getting the best build price. You may be pleasantly surprised when comparing iPlans build estimate with your builder's final contract price.
Q: How do I select what I want in my specification?
A: We send you a form to complete at the beginning of our documentation service. You simply fill this in and return to us. It's an easy, tick the box type process. We then take this information and turn it into detailed specifications so the builders are all pricing of detailed, comprehensive documents.
Q: How long does the whole process take?
A: After we receive the go-ahead and the $500 retainer we need you to provide to us the site specific information and return your specification selections. This will probably take you anything from a few days to a week or two. After we receive this information we require between 2 – 6 weeks to prepare detailed drawings and specifications ready for lodgement of building consent – a bit longer if you need to make some changes. Generally building consents will take around 4 weeks, depending on your Council. It's a good idea to get builders prices during this time also. After you receive a building consent you can start building. The builders must work only off the approved building consent documents.
Q: How can we be assured our builder will stand by their work?
A: By obtaining a Homefirst Builders 10 year Guarantee from a Certified Builder or 10 year Guarantee from Master Builders. We will write these obligations into the specifications if you select that option. iPlans prefers Certified Builders where available.
Q: How can we be assured our designer (iPlans) will stand by their work?
A: iPlans has Professional Indemnity insurance to cover any issues that could arise from problems with the design. A copy of our insurance is available upon request. Please also see our terms and conditions.
Q: Are iPlans houses energy efficient?
A: Yes. We ensure all our plans and specifications are detailed to current building code standards, in particular section H1 of the building code. Our base specifications at least match this code requirement, but if you want more, let us know.
Q: I notice iPlans is operated and supervised by a New Zealand Registered Architect. Does this mean the iPlans houses are Architect designed?
A: No. Although our Architect manages the professional side of things here at iPlans, the plans are generally created by our Architectural Designers and Draughtspersons. The term Architect is a legally protected term in NZ and we respect that. If you are specifically requiring an Architect designed house, please contact us for more information, we would be very happy to pass you on to our Architect for this service.
Q: What is included in a typical set of iPlans drawings and specifications?
A: A typical set of drawings and specifications includes the minimum requirements to achieve a building consent. This includes site/roof/drainange plan, slab/foundation plan, floor plans, floor framing plan, roof framing plan, external elevations, cross sections, construction details including all window details, bracing calculations, thermal efficiency calculations, external envelope risk calculations, verification documentation for structural members and a written specification that describes the minimum quality of materials and acceptable installation methods of construction for the builder. A typical set of iPlans drawings and specifications does not include electrical layouts, detailed kitchen and bathroom drawings, schedules of hardware, fittings and fixtures, colours and soft furnishings like curtains for example. We can include all these extra items for additional charges.
Q: Why doesn't iPlans drawings and specifications include electrical layouts and schedules that include all the door hardware, for example?
A: These items are generally where the customer, with a bit of running around talking to local suppliers, can make some great savings. Often your local kitchen builder will include the design fee in their supply cost of a new kitchen anyway, and these items need special consideration from your point of view, so some hands-on from you is a good way to go. You might find the cost difference between kitchens is several thousand dollars – definitely worth a few hours of your time. Talking to a few electricians can get several ideas of power and light distribution, and you can get some big savings that way too. Door hardware costs range significantly between suppliers and types as well. Take along your iPlans to your local Placemakers, Mitre10, Bunnings etc, and you'll find some real savings to be made.
Q: Can iPlans schedule absolutely everything required in our home so we can get a single lump sum price from each builder?
A: Yes, we will estimate the additional costs from our end and discuss this with you.
Q: Why is iPlans the best value way to build our home over say a franchise home builder.
A: Because you get to control a competitive pricing process. Several willing builders will price off your plans and specifications and you'll get to see the range of prices received and decide on the best price. If you also want to compare how much a franchise builder would have charged alongside other builders, then include them in your list of builders. They will be more than happy to bid for your new home as well and might even trim their margins to be more competitive. If they are not interested in tendering, you'll know it's because they know they will be too expensive. Remember, your iPlans plans and specifications are your best asset during this process.
Q: Should I always choose the lowest price from my selected builders or do I have to choose any of their prices at all?
A: Because the builders are all pricing off the same set of iPlans plans and specifications and we are confident we describe the quality required from them, there is generally no reason why you wouldn't choose the lowest price. If tender prices are close together, consider the credentials of the builders before selecting a successful builder. Make a decision on time, cost and quality. Depending on the tendering criteria, the lowest or any tender does not need to be accepted. Builders are quite versed in pricing for jobs, but make sure you know how to talk the talk to some degree. iPlans can assist with the tender process if you wish.
Q: Can my builder give me a price off iPlans preliminary drawings?
A: Yes, but please be aware their price may be subject to final detailed drawings and specifications and as such may be subject to change. This is a good way however to get early, preliminary pricing for your home.
Q: How many sets of drawings and specifications does iPlans supply?
A: Three sets. This will enable 2 sets for building consent and 1 set for yourself to keep. You can request additional sets if you wish. We can also supply an electronic copy of the drawings and specifications so you can print your own.
Q: Does iPlans drawings and specifications include landscaping items like fences and the letter box, for example?
A: Generally, no. You do not usually require these items included for building consent, so we leave these out so you can organise these yourself.
Q: What cladding materials can I choose from?
A: Pretty much anything, within reason. We do insist on using BRANZ approved claddings and systems, or claddings that will meet approval with the NZ Building Code.
Q: Can iPlans provide more 3D perspectives?
A: Yes, talk to us about what we can offer. How does Skype with one of our designers sound, so we can fly you around the digital model of your home?
Q: Why does it cost more for sloping sites?
A: Pretty much everything below the ground floor level becomes more complicated when there is a sloping site. Gentle slopes less than 600mm across the plan can be dealt with fairly easily, however the access to your house and the foundations are more complicated when the slope is more than this. We need to consider these on a case by case basis.