Design and Build - Box™ The Architect Builder
Constructing a new home is an exciting experience. Our expert design and build team can guide you from the initial idea right through to the end result.
DESIGN & BUILD A NEW HOME - HOW IT SHOULD BE.
Box is unique in that we are both an in-house design company and an established construction company. Our projects are a ‘collaboration’ between the architect/designer, builder, cost estimator and our customers. We produce designs that focus on style while being practical to build. Our architects and designers are involved in the building process, just as our builders are involved in the design. And because it all happens under the same roof, there are no areas for issues to arise. We take responsibility for fixing any problems and ensure that the whole design and build experience is enjoyable, educational, and memorable for all the right reasons!
We are strong on relationships— not only with our customers, who become part of the larger Box family, but also with the suppliers and broader network of tradespeople who contribute to our design and build projects.
DESIGNING YOUR HOME
The unique difference in our services is that when our architects or designers begin their work, the Box team has already carried out due diligence. We’ve reviewed the site, the brief, the budget, and the practical issues that could trip us up or cause additional costs down the road.
Beautiful, light-filled design is at our core, but we know that the design ‘tail’ mustn’t wag the dog. Great architecture results from our design team working closely with you and your site, understanding the practical realities of how houses are built.
We have a simple process that starts with the idea stage, where we create and cost sketches and initial designs with your budget in mind. This is followed by a detailed design stage where we draw up full specifications and lodge any required consents for your space.
Each design & build project has its own momentum. From the initial design to the start of construction, the process takes 6 to 10 months. Factors include the size of the project, the consent requirements, and the speed at which you are comfortable progressing.
BUILDING YOUR HOME.
Your home’s designer will be working alongside you throughout the full build process. As Registered Master Builders, our team at Box has a track record of delivering beautiful homes, predominantly in the Auckland region. Our in-house project managers, builders and designers manage and work through the entire process to deliver your design vision
Site factors greatly affect the time and cost of the design and build process. Box is experienced in working with sloping sites, which often require additional time to establish services and foundations before the builders start. Each of our projects follows a controlled schedule, and you are updated on plans and costs as yours progresses.
You are an integral part of the design & build work process, regularly meeting with the designer on-site to confirm or make important decisions. You’ll observe and enjoy seeing the builders at work constructing a home that fits your unique lifestyle and requirements.
Our builders take between 7 months and 12 months to construct our projects, depending on the building size, complexity, and site characteristics.
MAKING THE BUDGET FIT.
A mantra from our many years of design and build experience is that ‘all projects go well until the budget becomes an issue’. One of our strengths is that our project designers, builders, and cost estimators are all under the same roof, so we can constantly value engineer the house while respecting the design intentions.
In terms of price, Box homes sit somewhere between your standard house company product and high-end architect prices. That typically means a range of $6k to $9k per square metre as a total project cost (including the non-construction, site works, house build, and external build costs). You will undoubtedly have seen and heard a number of wildly varying rates, and we understand it is complicated to compare like-for-like. Contact us at an early stage, and we will explain:
Before each project commences, we will talk about the typical design & build pricing and perform initial due diligence. We ensure we can deliver your expectations for your scope and budget before we start the design.
- How we price construction
- All the different cost elements
- How to maximise your home’s value.
Before each project commences, we will talk about the typical design & build pricing and perform initial due diligence. We ensure we can deliver your expectations for your scope and budget before we start the design.
BEYOND THE BUILD.
We are proud of each unique home we design and build, and we often say that the build is incidental to the relationship. Our commitment to you doesn’t stop at the completion of your home. We look after our clients, who we consider to form part of our Box family. It’s a relationship that continues long after the house is built, through to the maintenance period and beyond. In several cases, we have helped clients market their Box home to buyers many years later.
Our maintenance guidelines and product information at handover give you the tools and knowledge to care for your home long after you take possession. If you need any additional help, our Care and Repair team are available to help with their services.
To learn more about our unique design & build process, discover the answers to our frequently asked questions. Have any further questions about the process or are keen to design and build a new home? Contact us about your project through the form linked below; we’d love to talk with you to see if we are a good fit!
