Hi folks, I am wanting to demolish my house on a cross lease property I own and...

Spot on Sunny. what you are planning to do is exactly what I would recommend. Obviously still ensure you do your research on the local builder: – View 3-4 recent projects they have completed. – Ensure they are in good shape financially. – Do they communicate well.

See my new comment about our problems with a G. J. Gardner home. The more they spend on offices and advertising, the less I would trust any buider. Why? that money has to come from cutting corners. Find a keen up and coming local who has a track record but is in the growing their reputation mode, is my advice. I did a triple subdivision in Papakura 20 years ago, built a house in Canterbury, but that was sadly at a beach which we had to leave for safety.

I am using a planning/architectural/project management company and I believe a lot of the staff are incompetent and the director is very dishonest. They charge for work that i have already paid for under the written contract I have with them and when I don’t pay they refuse to do any more work. On a simple minor dwelling project we started in 2019 i still dont have building consent. (This is the tip of the iceberg with all the problems I have had with them on this project and another much larger project) I have now engaged a lawyer to get out of my contracts with them as I am sick of dealing with them. I would love to hear if you went with a townplanner/architect and how that worked for you?

Thanks Chris. Has anyone heard of CJ Saunders Carpentry Ltd. They do new builds and renovations . The owner seems to be a nice person and works based on word of mouth enquiries and references to take on new build projects.

Carl built 2 houses for us, highly recommended.