Frequently Asked Questions

We provide support and guidance for large-scale construction projects – both private and government-funded – to ensure they are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards. Our services include:

• Client Agent 
• Engineer to Contract
• Project Management
• Quantity Surveying
• Project Delivery Planning
• Cost Planning
• Procurement Planning
• Procurement Supplier
• Contract Negotiation
• Contract Drafting
• Contract Administration
• Assurance/Audits

We are primarily based in Gisborne with other offices in Hamilton and New Plymouth.

Scale is the common denominator on all of our projects. We’ve worked on airports, wastewater treatment plants, and harbours. Consulted with district councils and port authorities. We excel at large-scale projects where results matter and diplomacy is critical. For a list of case studies, visit our Case Studies page.

A project manager acts as the linchpin in a construction project. They oversee and organise, encourage unity and collaboration, with services like:

• Setting clear project goals
• Allocating resources, sequencing tasks, and assessing risks
• Controlling the budget
• Managing timelines
• Ensuring the project scope stays focused
• Mitigating risks and minimising impacts
• Fostering effective communication
• Overseeing quality assurance
• Optimising resources and minimising waste
• Ensuring stakeholder satisfaction

Read more about our Project Management services.

The procurement phase of a project involves creating a procurement plan that maps how you’ll spend your project’s funding. 

From finding the right vendors to budgeting for labour and materials, a procurement plan is the roadmap for your budget, and our dedicated team is here to guide you through crafting a plan that’s actionable, accurate, and complies with government regulations.

Our procurement services include:

• Project initiation 
• Procurement planning 
• Supplier identification 
• Supplier selection 
• Tender processing 
• Contract negotiation
• Contract award 
• Contact implementation
• Contract closure

Read more about our Procurement Services.

Quantity surveying is a service that provides you with a full understanding of your project’s scope and possible costs. We supply accurate cost estimates and strategic pricing schedules that allow you to review and evaluate suppliers’ prices and find the vendors that best fit your needs.

Our quantity surveying services offer end-to-end support through every phase of the purchasing process. We’re your partner in creating a collaborative environment that ensures fair compensation for contractors and a project that finishes on time and on budget.

Read more about our Quantity Surveying service.

An engineer representative serves as a vital link between you and your construction teams. With years of construction experience, the engineer representative (also known as the contract administrator) provides oversight to your construction project.

Your engineer representative explains contractual obligations and ensures they’re being met. They also provide project management services like issuing variations and chairing progress meetings. 

Our experienced team actively contributes to project success with site visits, safety audits, and inspections. We oversee the standard of your project and ensure it remains organised and well-managed throughout.

An engineer to contract (ETC) ensures you are legally compliant by explaining your contractual obligations, guiding you through change control procedures, and providing oversight tasks like:

• Giving authoritative instructions
• Leading construction progress meetings
• Checking construction schedules thoroughly
• Chairing construction progress meetings
• Issuing variations
• Reviewing contractor’s design drawings 
• Verifying contractor payment claims
• Certifying payment milestones 
• Monitoring progress and providing monthly reports
• Carrying out regular safety inspections of sites
• Participating actively in testing and inspections
• Documenting and scheduling defects for quick solutions

Read more about our Engineer to Contract service.

After you’ve received your project’s funding, you’ll want to draft a number of plans, one of which is the procurement plan.

A procurement plan outlines how you’ll spend your project’s budget, i.e. which vendors you’ll use, how much you’ll spend on labour and materials, and how you’ll ensure fairness in making your choices.

The procurement process is fraught with legal requirements, required documentation, and contractual pitfalls. If you’re ready to begin the procurement phase of your project but feel ill-equipped to proceed, consider enrolling in our Procurement course, or contact the team about our Procurement Services.

Through our client representation service, we identify your project’s unique needs long before construction starts.

We evaluate essential aspects like planning, stakeholder alignment, and resource allocation to determine which of our specialised services — be it Engineer to Contract, Project Management, Procurement, Quantity Surveying or a mix of them — are best suited for your particular objectives.

Speak to us today to ensure you’re using the most appropriate and effective services for your project’s success.

Finding the right architect is a crucial step in the building process, and it’s one we at Seven Rivers can help simplify for you.

We step into the building process ahead of architects. This allows us to better understand your project’s unique needs, which in turn enables us to guide you to an architect who aligns perfectly with your vision and requirements.

As your representative, we serve as the liaison between you and potential architects, ensuring that the choice you make will be informed, suitable, and strategically beneficial for your project.

We take the guesswork out of this significant decision, providing you with peace of mind and the assurance that your project is in the right hands from the ground up.

The first steps typically involve project planning, which includes defining the project scope, budget, and timeline, while also considering local regulations and resource availability.  It is also important to set up a clear decision-making process.

Selecting the right contractor in New Zealand involves researching local companies, checking references, and evaluating their experience with local construction standards and regulations. This may involve a negotiated or competitive process.

The necessary permits and approvals in New Zealand may include building consents, resource consents, and compliance with the New Zealand Building Code and local council regulations.  It is important to gather the right time around you from the start.

Effective cost management involves budgeting with consideration for local pricing, regular cost tracking, and controlling costs through a clear variation procedure.

Common risks may include weather-related delays, regulatory changes, and geological factors. Mitigation strategies involve conducting a risk workshop, effective planning, and contingency planning specific to New Zealand conditions.

A project manager in New Zealand oversees all aspects of a project, ensuring it complies with New Zealand building codes, stays on schedule, and meets local quality standards and regulations.

A successful handover involves complying with local New Zealand building standards and regulations, conducted thorough inspections, and providing all required documentation and warranty information for a smooth closeout process.  It is also helpful to have a detailed Inspection Test Plan (ITP) which ensures all tests and inspections happen in accordance with the project quality plan. Further, is important to file all as built drawings including red pen mark ups for future maintenance requirements.