Ready for the First Step to Designing Your New Home?

Book a Design Consultation

If you're wondering how long it takes to draw house plans, you're not alone. But the real question isn't how long, it's whether what you're picturing is actually achievable, on your site, within your budget, before you commit to the expensive part of the process.

Plans are more than just drawings. They're a detailed set of instructions that I, as your Architectural Designer, create to communicate your vision clearly to the builder. So before we dive into timelines or layouts, we need to understand your goals, budget, site, and aspirations.

Why a Design Consultation Is the Smart First Step

Many people come to me with a strong vision, Pinterest boards, ideas they've sat with for a long time. It all makes sense in your head. But there's a gap between having a brief and a budget, and actually knowing if a project is feasible, and most people jump straight from that gap into an expensive, complicated design process, from a foundation that isn't quite solid yet.

I've also seen clients handed a generic concept design fee that doesn't reflect their actual site, their project's specific nuances, or what else needs to be accommodated. A Design Consultation is where we close that gap, so you know exactly what you're getting into, and what it will cost, before you spend a dollar on design.

There's no expectation that you continue with Smart Living Spaces afterwards. If your project doesn't stack up the way you hoped, that's still a good outcome, you've made an informed decision without a big financial commitment behind it.

Here's what we cover during this initial session:

  • Understanding Your Vision: What are you hoping to build? A new home, a renovation, or an additional dwelling?

  • Site Specific Planning Checks: Every site in New Zealand is different. I investigate zoning, site coverage, height limits, setbacks, hazard overlays, and other planning requirements specific to your address, so we catch fish hooks early, not after you've committed.

  • Realistic Budgeting: Building costs are only part of the picture. We also factor in design fees, council consent fees, contingency, and specialist consultants, so your budget reflects the whole project, not just the build.

  • Aligning Aspirations With Budget: I help you prioritise what's most important so your goals are achievable, not just aspirational.

  • Clarifying Consultant Involvement: What you're planning determines who else needs to be involved, structural engineer, surveyor, or other specialists, and when they're needed, so you can budget and plan for them from the start.

  • Homestar and Passive House Integration: If a healthy, comfortable, and affordable home with lower running costs matters to you, we talk through what Homestar and Passive House certification actually involve, and how to fold them into your project efficiently rather than as an expensive add on.

  • Project Timeline Overview: A successful project needs a roadmap, not just a floorplan. We'll outline the full process so you can plan your time and investment accordingly.

What's Included in Your Design Consultation

Here's exactly what you receive:

  • Due diligence before we meet. Before your session, I investigate your site, planning rules, zoning, and any known constraints, so the conversation is grounded in your actual property, not general advice. This is how we surface fish hooks before they become expensive surprises.

  • A one hour meeting with Sharon, either in person in Hamilton or via Teams.

  • A Design Consultation Report following the meeting, which includes:

    • A summary of your aspirations and discussions

    • A preliminary budget breakdown

    • A summary of relevant planning requirements

    • Estimated timelines for the key stages of your project

    • A project plan outlining the stages and steps relevant to your specific project

    • An allowance for additional consultants likely to be required for your specific project

  • An accurate fee for your next steps, based on what your project actually needs, not a generic figure.

Avoid Rework. Save Time. Stay on Track.

My job is to make your project flow as smoothly as possible, and it starts with a clear, informed brief. That's why I offer a Design Consultation before we start any drawings. By setting the direction early, we reduce rework, avoid costly redesigns, and keep your project on track.

Ready to take the first step? Book your Design Consultation today and let's bring your ideas to life with clarity, confidence, and a plan that works.