Renovation & Building FAQs

Trades people get a bad wrap for being messy at times. Often, they are focused on their job and doing it right, the tidy up can be a bit of an oversight. One must also consider the type of work involved, construction can be messy.

However, at Zen Builders, we believe in keeping a clean and tidy site at all times. It’s part of our guarantee to you:

“Regardless of how big or small your project is, we assure you that we will always keep your home clean and tidy. We guarantee that our worksites will always be left in a tidy condition at the end of each day. Your personal belongings will always be protected by using floor and furniture coverings.”

Planning is the key to ensuring that a project progresses smoothly. In some cases, delays can happen but we always aim to come up with a solution. We always communicate with you clearly if there is a delay so that you know what's going on. We also look at the delay and how this will affect the timeline. We work on ways to catch up lost time where and when we can.

For example, in 2022, there was a nationwide shortage of Gib. This put the construction industry under a lot of pressure. Our solution to dealing with this was to use our relationships with key suppliers to order alternative plasterboard products.

Time management is extremely important to us as we know how this impacts on a project. When we say we will be there, we will. If there has been a change, we always let our client's know and keep them updated.

Forward planning is also important in regards to time management. Before a project starts, we ensure we have booked all subcontractors so that they know approximate dates for when they are required on site. These times can change but everyone is informed and updated along the way.

Through the course of your building project, we assure you that you will receive weekly email updates informing you of progress on site and the plan for the week ahead.

We hold regular site meetings, as agreed upon with you, you will get an update on progress as well as a projection of future work.

We also use software that you will have access to, ensuring that you can view tasks related to your project and track progress in real time.

Sometimes this happens and if you are not familiar with the building trade, you could get a shock. There are a couple of really important things to note here:

1. Check the pricing plan/quote and see what's been allowed for. Maybe there is something extra that has been added.

2. Consider value for money - does the pricing plan include your project from start to finish? Does this have an impact on your home?

3. Talk to us. We are always happy to talk through your pricing plan and work with you on changes.

To keep this simple, it’s important to always allow a contingency fund when renovating. Working with existing homes means that things can pop up during the project that were not expected. At Zen Builders, we always keep our clients informed of any additional costs and gain approval from you before moving forward with the work. No surprises!

Our invoicing is clear and shows any variations that have been charged to you. This makes it easy for you to track.

Cost and Margin:

• In a "cost and margin" pricing model, the client typically pays for the actual costs of the project (materials, labour, subcontractors, etc.) plus an agreed-upon profit margin for the builder or contractor.

• The client has more transparency into the actual costs incurred, and the builder's profit margin is added to these costs.

• This pricing model is often used when the project scope is not well-defined, and there is a degree of uncertainty about the final costs.

Fixed Price:

• In a "fixed price" contract, the client and the builder agree on a set, predetermined price for the entire project before work begins.

• The builder assumes the risk of cost overruns and is responsible for managing the project within the agreed-upon budget.

The choice between these pricing models depends on various factors, including the project's complexity, the level of detail in the project scope, the client's risk tolerance, and market conditions.

Our team loves animals! Often, our clients worry about how their fur-babies will cope with construction. Our team ensures that properties are secure so that pets are safe. We meet our clients before we start a project and share our plan for construction, letting them know when to expect the most noise and disruption so that they can plan to keep their pets off-site if needed.

This is a really common concern and it is totally understandable. Because we have experience in renovating our own homes, we can share tips and give you advice on what to expect when renovating especially with key areas such as the bathroom or kitchen.

Every project is different but in general terms, you should expect that a standard bathroom takes between 3-4 weeks to complete so you could potentially be without services for this time.

• We can organise temporary ablution blocks for those who need it

A kitchen can take between 5-6 weeks to complete.

• Think about setting up a temporary kitchen during this time. Airfryers, BBQ’s and gas stoves are great temporary solutions.

It's about taking the plunge and having a plan in place. Though it can be disruptive to your home, it is only short term.

There are many factor that contribute to the cost of building. Often builders will supply labour, materials and sub-contractors. Within this they will allow for profit margins as well and project management.

Building projects are not a one-size-fits-all. Each one is priced according the clients needs as well as other factors like the age of the home and the type of work.

As a ball park figure, you can expect to pay a qualified builder in Christchurch any where between $65 per hour to $80 per hour. Apprentices are usually charged out at a lower rate.

Always talk to your builder first and ask them for their rates, especially if working on a cost plus margin contract.