Our Process

Every project starts with an idea or overall vision of how a client wants the finished product to look like. It could be a project that you’ve been dreaming about for years and that is finally coming to fruition, or something borne out of necessity.

Whether you are a homeowner, property developer or architect, your passion will be the driving force behind this project and now it’s time to get your ideas and visions for your project into a more formal concept, and to pull together a team of professionals who can help make your ideas a reality.

If you want to bring your vision to life, then an architect or project manager is usually the first professional to contact, as they have the best overview of the process(es), and experience in communicating with the various consultants involved.

Architects and project managers also have a great understanding of what building consents will need to be obtained from the local Council to get your project off the ground.

At Finesse Consulting Engineers, we are usually brought onboard for a project after step one is completed, however Finesse’s many years of experience on a wide range of projects means we can offer advice and can point you in the right direction for an architect or project manager if you’ve not yet engaged one. For a successful outcome the right team managing your project is key.

Once the concept is formalised and the architect or project manager has been engaged, they’ll be able to advise you whether your project will require engineering input. It is at this point Finesse are usually engaged to cover off structural and, in many instances, geotechnical aspects of the project.

We can discuss the scope with you and/or your architect to confirm what involvement is required and answer any questions you may have. Once you’re happy, Finesse will issue a formal short form agreement that outlines our scope, fees and timeline.   Pricing can take many forms depending upon the project, Finesse like to partner with our clients and keep our involvement transparent, open and honest.

You can find out more information on our fee process and timelines here.

Before construction of your project can begin, building or resource consents will need to be obtained from local council. This can be a daunting process with various forms, plans, and documentation needing to be compiled and submitted for approval. The timings for approval can vary across different councils. Please ensure you are aware of your local councils timeframes as this can have an impact/bearing on how long it will take to get your project in to the construction stage. 

As structural engineers we produce part of this documentation in the form of calculations, structural plans, and specifications that ensure your vision will be structurally sound and meet the required standards.  Alongside the calculation(s) and design(s), Finesse also issue a document called a  Producer Statement One (PS1). The PS1 formally confirms, that in a Structural Engineers professional opinion, the building design has been completed to be compliant with the Building Code 2004. 

You can find further local information on the building consent process, and producer statements on the Building Performance website and the Christchurch City Council website.

Sometimes councils will ask for additional information in the form of an RFI. Such requests typically require a timely response to maintain momentum and comply with the councils requests.

Construction begins on your project once a Building Consent or a Resource Consent has been approved by your local council. During construction our structural engineers will visit your site at key points to independently monitor whether the contractor or builder is following the plans according to the approved Building Consent. This monitoring is a great way to ensure that the structural engineering design you paid for as part of this process, is being followed correctly and efficiently, and your project is built as it was designed.

It is at this stage that communication between the architect, engineer, and contractor is crucial in order to ensure that the long-term costs to you are minimised whilst your concept comes to life. 

While every attempt is made to accurately capture the works it is not uncommon to encounter problems during construction, especially on renovation or extension projects where things are found to differ to what was anticipated. Finesse typically work on any such design changes on hourly rate basis. It is important that such changes are captured and well documented so they can be recorded as part of the construction works, especially when this impacts on the design.

Once construction is completed, the contractor or builder will notify us, and issue a producer statement. This document verifies that the contractor has completed construction according to the building consent plans. We will then compile all the construction monitoring reports carried out in step four, along with any design changes, and determine whether we are satisfied that the project has been built according to the plans. Once the structural engineer is confident that the building has been built according to the design, we issue a Producer Statement Four (PS4) document signed by a chartered engineer. 

The PS4 confirms the in our professional opinion that the structural and geotechnical elements have been completed according to the approved Building Consent. 

Once we are confident that the works have been completed to a satisfactory standard, we will issue the PS4 and Construction monitoring reports to you or your architect.

To apply for a Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC), you or your architect then submits these and any other relevant construction documentation for the councils consideration. 

You can find out more information about the Code of Compliance Certificate application process, on the Christchurch City Council website, the Selwyn District Council website or the Waimakariri District Council website.