Start your initial design

1. Who this agreement is between

CMD Civil Limited trading as Devlin Property (NZBN 9429041133064), 64B Kitemoana Road, Marsden Point ("we", "us"), and the person signing below ("you").

2. What we'll do — initial design and initial cost estimate

After a 15–20 minute call to understand your requirements, we will: (a) initial design — choose with you a suitable Devlin Property standard design, place it on your section showing its position and orientation, and lay out an indicative driveway and services connections (wastewater, water, stormwater and power); and (b) initial cost estimate — prepare a cost estimate for building that design on your section, based on that layout. We aim to deliver within about two weeks of the call, subject to receiving the information we need from you.

3. The stages that may follow

The full process is: (1) initial design — house type, position and orientation; (2) initial design cost estimate; (3) your decision whether to proceed to detailed design; (4) site survey; (5) detailed design; (6) preparing the build contract and pricing. This agreement covers stages 1 and 2 only. Stages 3–6 are optional, and will be quoted and agreed in writing before any work starts.

4. Fees and payment

The fees are fixed for the scope in clause 2: $550 for the initial design and $850 for the initial cost estimate — $1,400 in total, including GST. When the initial design and estimate are complete we'll email you an invoice. We release them to you once the invoice is paid. You can pay by bank transfer at no extra cost. If you choose to pay by card, a surcharge covering the card processing fee is added — it's shown on the invoice before you pay. Once you've signed this agreement you're engaging us to do the work, and the fees are payable — there is no cancelling once engaged. If, at your request, the scope changes (for example a custom design rather than a standard one), we'll agree any extra cost with you in writing first.

5. Fees refunded off your build cost

If you sign a build contract with us within 12 months of the initial design being delivered, the full $1,400 is refunded off your build cost (deducted from the contract price). If you don't go ahead with a build with us, the fees are not refundable — they pay for the design and estimating work done.

6. Estimates are not quotes

The initial cost estimate is our best estimate from the information available at that stage — desktop site data, our standard designs and current costs. It is not a quote or a fixed price. Final pricing depends on the site survey, geotechnical investigation, detailed design and council requirements.

7. What we need from you

Accurate information about your requirements and budget, and any documents you have about the section (such as the title, LIM, covenants or reports). If you don't own the section yet, you confirm you're entitled to share any information you give us about it.

8. Design ownership

Our standard designs, and the drawings and documents we prepare, remain our intellectual property. Once you've paid, you may use the initial design and estimate to make decisions about your project and to discuss finance; you may not use it to build, or have it built by someone else, without our written agreement.

9. Your consumer rights

Nothing in this agreement limits your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Fair Trading Act 1986. Subject to those Acts, our total liability under this agreement is limited to the fees.

10. Privacy

We use your information to carry out this agreement and to talk to you about your project, as set out in our privacy policy at devlin-property.co.nz/privacy.

11. Signing electronically

By typing your name and ticking the box, you agree to sign this agreement electronically and that your electronic signature has the same effect as a handwritten one. This agreement is governed by New Zealand law.