Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: 1st August 2025
Company: Mealings Architecture Ltd

Welcome to Mealings Architecture. These Terms & Conditions apply to all architectural design, drafting, consulting, documentation, and related professional services provided by our firm.

By engaging our services or using this website, you agree to these Terms & Conditions unless otherwise agreed in writing.

1. Scope of Services

Our services may include, but are not limited to:

Architectural design
Residential and commercial design documentation
Concept and developed design
Building consent documentation
Council liaison and submissions
Site observations
Consultant coordination
Remedial and renovation documentation
Contract administration services

Services are limited to those specifically outlined within the accepted fee proposal, agreement, or quotation.

2. Client Responsibilities

The client agrees to:

Provide accurate information regarding the property, site, and existing conditions
Supply any available reports, surveys, or relevant documentation required for the project
Ensure timely approvals, decisions, and instructions are provided
Obtain property owner authority where required
Pay all council fees, consultant fees, application costs, and other third-party costs unless otherwise agreed
Engage suitably qualified contractors and consultants where required.

Any delays caused by incomplete information or delayed client instructions may affect project timeframes and additional fees may apply.

3. Fees & Payment Terms

Fees will be charged as outlined in the accepted fee proposal or agreement and may be based on:

Lump sum fees
Hourly rates
Staged invoicing
Percentage-based fees

Unless otherwise stated:

Invoices are payable within 7 days of issue
All fees are exclusive of GST unless stated otherwise
Late payments may incur interest charges
We reserve the right to suspend work on overdue accounts

Additional reimbursable expenses may include:

Printing and plotting
Courier fees
Travel expenses
Consultant coordination costs
Council and authority fees

4. Variations & Additional Work

Any work outside the agreed scope of services may be treated as a variation and charged additionally.

Variations may arise from:

Client-requested changes
Council or authority requirements
Changes to project scope or design brief
Unforeseen site conditions
Consultant revisions
Additional meetings or redesign work

Variation work may be charged at the applicable hourly rates unless otherwise agreed.

5. Timeframes

Estimated project timeframes are indicative only and may be affected by:

Client response times
Council processing times
Consultant availability
Weather or site conditions
Regulatory authority requirements
Changes to project scope

While reasonable efforts will be made to meet estimated deadlines, no guarantee is given regarding completion dates or approval timeframes.

6. Council & Regulatory Approvals

We will exercise reasonable professional skill and care in preparing documentation for council and regulatory authority submissions.

However:

Approval by councils or authorities cannot be guaranteed
Additional information requests may arise during processing
Regulatory requirements may change during the project

Any additional work required due to authority requests may incur additional fees.

7. Consultants & Third Parties

Where specialist consultants are required, including but not limited to engineers, surveyors, geotechnical consultants, planners, or fire engineers:

The client may engage consultants directly unless otherwise agreed
Consultant fees are separate to our fees unless stated otherwise
We are not responsible for the accuracy, performance, or timeliness of third-party consultants

8. Intellectual Property & Copyright

All drawings, designs, specifications, renderings, and documentation produced by Mealings Architecture remain the intellectual property and copyright of the firm unless otherwise agreed in writing.

The client is granted a non-transferable licence to use the documentation solely for the specific project and site for which it was prepared.

Documents may not be copied, reused, modified, or reproduced for another project without written permission.

9. Construction Phase Disclaimer

Unless specifically engaged for contract administration or site observation services:

We are not responsible for construction methods or workmanship
Responsibility for site safety remains with the contractor
Site visits do not constitute full-time supervision or quality assurance inspections
Builders and contractors are responsible for verifying dimensions and site conditions prior to construction

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

Our liability is limited to the value of fees paid for the services provided
We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or unforeseen losses
We rely on information supplied by clients, councils, consultants, and third parties

Nothing within these Terms excludes rights or remedies available under New Zealand law where such exclusion is prohibited.

11. Suspension or Termination

Either party may terminate services by written notice.

In the event of suspension or termination:

All completed work up to the termination date remains payable
We reserve the right to invoice for work in progress
Outstanding invoices must be settled prior to release of documents where legally permitted.

12. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to first attempt resolution through good-faith negotiation.

If resolution cannot be achieved, the parties may agree to mediation prior to legal proceedings.

13. Website Information Disclaimer

Information provided on this website is general in nature and does not constitute project-specific architectural, legal, engineering, or building advice.

Professional advice should be obtained for individual projects and site conditions.

14. Privacy

Any personal information submitted through this website or during the course of our services will be handled in accordance with applicable New Zealand privacy laws.

We will not share client information with third parties except where necessary for project delivery, regulatory applications, or where required by law.

15. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of New Zealand.

Contact Information

Mealings Architecture
hayleymealings@gmail.com
Ph: +6421 299 8929
https://www.mealingsarchitecture.co.nz