If you landed on this page, you probably want the quick rundown of what we shared last month. We covered everything from the nitty‑gritty of commercial vs non‑commercial property to the steps involved when you hire an architect. Below is a friendly snapshot that helps you decide which article to read first.
Our first post untangled the confusion between commercial and non‑commercial projects. Think of commercial work as anything that makes money – offices, shops, factories – while non‑commercial covers schools, hospitals, and private homes. The article broke down how contracts differ: commercial deals often include strict performance guarantees and higher insurance limits, whereas non‑commercial contracts tend to be more flexible on timelines.
We also added a cheat‑sheet of real‑world examples. For instance, renovating a café is commercial, but upgrading a community centre is non‑commercial. Knowing the label helps you pick the right legal language and avoid costly mix‑ups later.
Next up was a guide for anyone thinking about a real‑estate career in New Zealand. We compared the two paths on earnings, stability, and daily tasks. Commercial agents usually deal with larger deals, longer sales cycles, and corporate clients. Residential agents move faster, sell more units, and often build a local network.
We threw in insider tips: commercial agents benefit from a solid understanding of lease structures, while residential agents win by mastering local market trends. Pick the lane that matches your comfort with risk and your interest in either big‑business negotiations or community‑focused sales.
Understanding how the federal government labels a project as “commercial” can save you from compliance headaches. The post explained that agencies like the EPA and OSHA apply specific standards to commercial sites, such as stricter waste‑disposal rules and higher worker‑safety requirements.
We highlighted three key takeaways: first, check if your contract cites a federal definition; second, budget for extra permits early; third, keep documentation handy for audits. Following these steps can keep projects on schedule and protect you from fines.
Finally, we gave a clear rundown of architectural services, from concept design to construction administration. The article split services into three buckets: schematic design (big ideas and basic layouts), design development (detailed drawings and material choices), and construction documents (the full set of plans builders use).
We also warned clients about hidden costs. Many firms charge extra for site visits or revisions after the design development stage, so set a clear scope from the start. Knowing the phases helps you ask the right questions and stay in control of budget and timeline.
That’s the August 2025 snapshot in a nutshell. Whether you’re a contractor, a budding real‑estate pro, or someone hiring an architect, the archive offers practical takeaways you can apply right away.
