Milieu

What's the first step?

It’s not uncommon for people to know they want to do a building project and have thought about it for some time....but they just don’t know where to start.

If you're interested in doing a project with Milieu, we invite you to book in an enquiry call to discuss your project or make an appointment to come into our studio. It's an opportunity to get to know each other, see if we are a good fit, and answer any questions you may have on the process.

How does the design process work?

Just as you wouldn’t expect your doctor to prescribe medicine for you without first diagnosing an illness, likewise it is very risky to begin design without first establishing your projects unique objectives and parameters.

Before we begin any design work, we carry out thorough research on your project. We call this the Needs & Options Review. This is a structured process that will give you the confidence to commence the design of your project having done all your research.

Once we have completed the Needs & Options Review, we are ready to move onto the design phase and documentation phase.

How will you communicate the design to us?

We often have clients say "I can't visualise things" and we also understand that architectural drawings are pretty hard to interpret. We use the latest 3D software and will be able to show you 3D views and photorealistic renders of the proposed design throughout the design process so there won't be any surprises when your house is built.

Can you help us assemble the right team for our project?

Yes, we have consultants such as engineers and planners that we regularly work with and can recommend to you for your specific project needs. We will discuss which consultants you might need right at the beginning and help you assemble the right team for your project.

Is my budget going to be enough?

Before we commence, we will review your brief and talk you through roughly whether your budget is going suit your project requirements. We can also work with you to reshape your brief to get the most out of your budget in all the areas that count!

We always recommend getting a professional Quantity Surveyor to do a cost check of your design – this often happens at the end of Preliminary or Developed Design and is your best opportunity to understand how much your project will cost in the current market rates.

How long will the process take?

We typically find that it takes around 12 months from our first meeting to starting construction of your project on site, and then another 12 months to complete construction. This can vary a lot between projects, so to help with this, we put together a programme at the beginning of the project outlining when you can expect each stage of work to begin.

Can you help us get the required council consents?

Yes. We can advise if you will require a Resource Consent and / or a Building Consent.

Whether you need a Resource Consent will depend on your zone and the type of development you are proposing. Not all projects require a Resource Consent.

Most projects will however require a Building Consent.

We can assist you with preparing the documents for council and will liaise with the council on your behalf.

Can you help us to select a builder?

Yes, we have builders we work with regularly and can assist you with with the process of finding the right builder for your project.

Can you help with interior design?

Yes! We enjoy designing all aspects of your project. We can design everything from your kitchen cabinetry, bathrooms to any built-in cabinetry or furniture you might want. We like to select a material pallet for your entire project so that the outcome looks seamless and elegant.

Do you stay involved when the project is on site?

Yes, we like to stay involved to answer the builders queries during construction and to observe that the work is being carried out in accordance with our documentation. We enjoy the collaborative nature of working with good builders and we find that this leads to successful projects