Our Services and Fees

We offer a range of clearly defined service packages to help you understand the opportunities, constraints and next steps for your project. These provide a straightforward way to engage us for common stages of a project, with transparent pricing and defined deliverables.

For larger or more complex projects, we can develop a tailored scope of services and fee proposal to suit your specific requirements.

Ready to get started?

Select the service that best suits your project and get in touch to arrange your engagement. We'll confirm that the service is appropriate for your requirements and send you a simple agreement for signing before work begins.

  • Not sure what the right next step is for your project?

    This service gives you direct access to an experienced architect to help you understand the issues, consider your options, and establish a practical way forward before committing to a larger project.

    Before we meet
    I’ll review the relevant information you provide, such as drawings, reports, photographs, correspondence or contractor proposals, to develop a high-level understanding of the project and identify the key matters to discuss.

    2-hour workshop
    We’ll work through the project together, discussing the issues, options, risks, priorities and likely next steps. The workshop can be online, at your property or at your building, depending on the nature of the project.

    Written advice summary
    Following the session, I’ll provide a concise written summary outlining the key issues discussed, my observations and recommendations, and the suggested next steps. Where appropriate, this may include recommendations for further investigation, specialist consultants or a proposed project pathway.

    This service is particularly useful when you have a building problem, several competing options, an existing consultant or contractor report you would like help understanding, or simply need an experienced professional to help determine where to start.

    Fixed fee: $750 + GST

    The service is provided as a fixed-fee package. The fee covers the preparation, review, workshop and written advice summary, rather than being charged by the hour. If further architectural or project services are required, these can be separately scoped and quoted.

    If you proceed to a separately commissioned feasibility or concept design service within 60 days, the $750 fee will be credited against that service

  • Thinking about buying, renovating, extending or developing a property but want to understand what's realistically possible first?

    This service provides a high-level assessment of your project before you commit to design work

    What's included

    • Review of available property information and relevant planning controls

    • Review of existing drawings and documentation supplied

    • High-level assessment of the site, existing building (if any) and proposed project brief

    • Identification of key planning, site or building constraints

    • Identification of opportunities and potential risks

    • Advice on further investigations or specialist input that may be required

    • A concise written feasibility summary with recommended next steps

    Where appropriate, the review may include consideration of matters such as site coverage, setbacks, height, outdoor living, access, heritage or other relevant planning controls.

    Fixed Fee $1,500 + GST

    Please note:

    • This is a high-level feasibility assessment intended to identify the key opportunities, constraints and questions that need to be addressed. It is designed to help steer your project in the right direction and determine the appropriate next steps, rather than provide definitive answers on every aspect of the project at this stage.

  • Planning an alteration or renovation but don't have reliable drawings of the existing building?

    This service provides a measured record of the existing property to establish a reliable base for future design work.

    What's included

    • Site visit and measured survey of the relevant areas

    • Existing floor plans

    • Relevant elevations and/or sections

    • Basic CAD drawings

    • High-level 3D model where useful to support design development

    • Reconciliation with the site where practical

    The drawings are suitable as a base for concept and preliminary design work.

    Fixed Price - $2,400 + GST

    Please note:

    • This is an architectural measured survey, not a registered land or cadastral survey. Concealed construction, structure and services are not verified unless specifically included.

    • Travel time charged in addition, see rates below

    • Price is based on an existing dwelling of up to ~250m2 and excludes complex and small geometry, inaccessible areas or extensive outbuildings

  • Already have drawings of your property, but they're outdated, poorly formatted or not suitable for design work?

    This service converts existing drawings into a clean, usable architectural drawing set and checks the key dimensions against the existing building.

    What's included

    • Review of existing drawings supplied

    • CAD redraw of relevant plans

    • Verification of critical dimensions on site

    • Updating drawings where discrepancies are identified

    • Clean architectural drawing set suitable as a base for future design work

    This service is intended for properties where good existing information is available. Where drawings are incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable, our Existing Building Survey & Drawings service may be more appropriate.

    Fixed Price - $1,800 + GST

    Please note: 

    • If considerable variation is found on site during the verification visit, further work and associated fees may be recommended to complete the drawing set

    • Travel time charged in addition, see rates below

    • Price is based on an existing dwelling of up to ~250m2 and excludes complex and small geometry, inaccessible areas or extensive outbuildings

  • A focused design package to explore how your ideas can work within the opportunities and constraints of your property.

    What's included

    • Project Feasibility review, see above

    • Development of initial design options

    • Plans and elevations and 3D modelling illustrating the preferred concept. The scope of this item is adjustable to tailor the fees to suit your budget while providing you with enough information to make a decision.

    • Key design decisions and material/architectural direction

    • Up to 2 design review meetings

    • One round of design refinement

    • Presentation drawings bringing the concept together, printed and in PDF

    • The aim is to establish a clear design direction and provide a strong basis for deciding whether to proceed to detailed design and consenting.

    Not included: Council pre-app or resource consent applications, co-ordination of consultants, other consultant fees, or any subsequent stages of design and documentation work which can be separately scoped once the concept is established.

    From $5,000 + GST for new builds

    From $3,500 + GST for alterations and additions

    Please note:

    • Travel time charged in addition, see rates below

    • Excludes completion of Existing building drawings for renovation and extension projects, see pricing above

  • We bundle our vehicle costs and travel time into one simple fee.

    • $3/km for trips within Auckland

    • $2/km for trips outside of the Auckland Region

    All trips start from Victoria Park, Auckland Central

Fixed Fee Service – Terms & Conditions

These terms apply to the fixed-fee services offered by Alastair Mckenzie Architects Limited ("AMA", "we", "us" or "our"). By booking or instructing us to undertake a fixed-fee service, you agree to these terms together with the scope of the particular service you have selected

1. Scope of Service

Each fixed-fee service has a defined scope and deliverables as described on this website or in the booking confirmation.

The fixed fee applies only to the services specifically described. Work outside the stated scope will be separately agreed and may be charged at our standard hourly rate or quoted as an additional fixed fee.

Where the service identifies a number of meetings, design options, revisions, drawings or other deliverables, anything beyond the stated allowance is outside the fixed fee unless otherwise agreed in writing.

2. Information Provided by the Client

Our advice and work will rely on the information provided to us by you and on information reasonably available to us at the time of the service.

You are responsible for ensuring that information supplied to us is accurate and sufficiently complete for the purpose of the service.

We may identify information that requires further investigation or verification. Where information is unavailable, incomplete or potentially unreliable, this will be identified where reasonably practicable.

3. High-Level Reviews and Preliminary Advice

Where a service includes a high-level review, preliminary assessment or feasibility review, our work is intended to identify significant matters, opportunities, constraints and recommended next steps.

It is not intended to constitute an exhaustive technical investigation, legal opinion, resource consent assessment, building consent assessment, structural assessment, geotechnical assessment, measured survey or other specialist investigation unless expressly included within the service.

We will identify where further specialist advice or investigation is recommended.

4. Existing Buildings and Site Conditions

Information relating to existing buildings will generally be based on visual inspection and information available to us.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, we do not investigate concealed construction, foundations, structure, services, drainage, waterproofing, hazardous materials, geotechnical conditions or other concealed conditions.

Existing building drawings prepared by us are not a substitute for a registered land survey or cadastral survey.

5. Planning and Regulatory Information

Where a service includes consideration of planning, building or other regulatory matters, this is based on information and requirements reasonably available to us at the time of the service.

Planning requirements, legislation, council requirements and interpretations may change. Our advice does not constitute a guarantee that a proposal will obtain resource consent, building consent or any other approval.

Where formal specialist advice is required, we will recommend that the relevant specialist or authority be consulted.

6. Design Services

Concept designs and other preliminary design work are intended to establish design direction and explore opportunities.

Unless expressly included in the service, design work does not include detailed construction documentation, engineering design, specifications, schedules, building consent documentation, resource consent documentation or construction administration.

7. Fixed Fees

Fixed fees are based on the scope and assumptions stated for the particular service.

The fixed fee is not an hourly allowance and is payable for the defined service and deliverables, rather than for a specified number of hours.

Where a service includes a fixed-duration meeting or workshop, the full fee remains payable regardless of whether the full allocated meeting time is used.

8. Additional Work

Additional work may be required where the project is more complex than anticipated, information supplied is incomplete or inaccurate, the scope changes, additional meetings or revisions are requested, or further investigations are required.

We will discuss any significant additional work and, where practicable, agree the scope and fee with you before proceeding.

9. Third-Party Consultants and Information

Specialist consultants, surveys, testing, council fees and other third-party services are not included unless specifically stated.

Where we recommend engaging another consultant or specialist, that consultant will generally be separately appointed and responsible for their own advice and services.

We are not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of information, reports or advice prepared by third parties.

10. No Guarantee of Project Outcome

Architectural and building projects involve matters outside our control, including planning requirements, consent decisions, existing building conditions, contractor pricing, construction methods and the performance of third parties.

We will provide our services with reasonable care and skill, but we do not guarantee a particular planning, consenting, construction or financial outcome.

11. Payment

Unless otherwise agreed, the fixed fee is payable within 14 days of completion of the agreed service.

We reserve the right to with-hold issue of completed documentation until payment is received

Any additional agreed services will be invoiced separately in accordance with the agreed terms.

12. Cancellation and Rescheduling

Because fixed-fee services involve preparation and allocation of time, cancellation or rescheduling may result in fees being payable for work already undertaken and time specifically reserved.

Where reasonable notice is provided, we will endeavour to reschedule the service by agreement.

Any refund or credit will be considered having regard to the work already undertaken, costs incurred and time reserved.

13. Copyright and Use of Documents

Copyright in drawings, reports, written advice, concepts and other documents prepared by AMA remains with AMA unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Once the agreed fee has been paid, you are granted a licence to use the documents for the specific property and purpose for which they were prepared.

Documents must not be materially altered, reproduced for another project, sold or provided to another party for reuse without our written consent.

14. Reliance by Others

Our advice and documents are prepared for the client and for the specific purpose for which the service was commissioned.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, no other person may rely on our advice or documents, and we accept no responsibility to third parties who rely on them.

15. Liability

We will perform the services with reasonable care and skill.

To the extent permitted by law, our liability arising from a fixed-fee service will be limited to the amount of the fee paid for that service.

Nothing in these terms is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified.

16. Dispute Resolution

If a concern arises in relation to a service, the parties will first seek to resolve the matter directly and in good faith.

Where appropriate, the parties may agree to use mediation or another mutually agreed dispute resolution process before commencing formal proceedings.

17. Subsequent Architectural Services

A fixed-fee service is a standalone service and does not constitute an agreement for further architectural services.

If you subsequently engage AMA for design, consenting, tendering, contract administration or other architectural services, those services will be separately scoped, priced and agreed in writing.

18. Acceptance

By booking a fixed-fee service or instructing AMA to commence the service, you acknowledge that you have read and accepted these terms and the scope of the selected service.